Top 5 Situations When You Should Ask For A Raise

I have a google alert for “ask for a raise” because many of the people are entering into the process of salary negotiation. In the past two weeks, I’ve had more than two dozen alerts hit my inbox. This is about double what I see for that particular alert over a similar time period. People need money, and they need it now.

It begs the question, when should someone ask for a raise? Is there ever a good time when it’s not part of the performance management cycle? How should you go about asking for the raise? These are valid questions and I have some rule of thumb answers that can help.

Question: When is a good time to ask for a raise (outside of the performance management cycle)?

Situation #1: Anytime you get significantly increased responsibility. If someone leaves your department and you have to pick up the slack, then you have an opportunity to ask for a raise. Do NOT ask for a raise right away, though. Show that you can do both jobs and then ask. You will have a better chance of getting the raise you want if you prove yourself.

Situation #2: Anytime you have an offer for another job whether it’s an internal move or to a new company. At that point you have leverage. If you’re good, they’ll want to keep you, so you can leverage the offer even if it’s even or only slightly higher than what you make now. It’s expensive to recruit and hire a replacement so it’s cheaper to give you your raise.

Situation #3: If you’re a performer and you haven’t had a raise in more than two review cycles. This situation is tenuous because you may not have received a raise because of poorer performance. If you know that you’re a strong performer (be honest with yourself), then you should have confidence in asking for a raise.

Situation #4: When your team wins a company award. These are the times to ask, but it’s usually a setup for your performance review. When the team wins an award, then you have recognition on your side. Your boss will be basking in getting the award, so it’s a good time to ask.

Situation #5: When you hear about someone in your same job making more money than you. This is a political play that often works, but not always. When you see peers doing your same job, but make more than you do and you’re a strong performer, you can justify asking for a raise.

If you follow these guidelines, then you have a much better chance of getting your raise. If you want to see how to best negotiate your salary and the information you need where they can’t say no to your request, then check out our Salary Negotiation Guide, Get Paid.*

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