When Is the Right Time to Ask for a Raise?
At some point in our careers, many of us will feel that we are entitled to a raise. Whether you’ve been putting in grueling fifty hour weeks for the company, gone on to purse a higher education, or simply feel that you’ve been there so long you could run the business at this point, you know that you are deserving of it. While we can only hope that our employers will willingly bestow the honor upon us, sometimes, it is our responsibility to take initiative to reach that point. This daunting task can be nerve-wracking for even the most seasoned and confident of employees, so it’s incredibly important to plan this conversation out carefully. It’s also imperative that your timing be impeccable. Here are a couple of factors to consider when you’re planning to ask your supervisor for a raise.
You Have Been There for a Significant Amount of Time
If you’ve only been at the company for three or four months – asking for a raise is completely out of the question. You should have been working at a corporation for at least one whole year before the thought even crosses your mind. Take the proper amount of time and initiative to prove your worth in the workplace, and you will be rewarded for your hard work and efforts.
Your Supervisor Is in a Good Mood
Nobody, and I mean nobody, desires to converse in regards to serious matters on a Monday morning, so you’ll want to avoid that time frame altogether. While it may seem like a trivial detail, your bosses’ mood can play a huge factor in their decision-making skills. After lunch is always a prime time to approach your supervisor to ask for a raise. Who isn’t jolly after a good, hearty meal? At the very least, you should wait until they have had his or her coffee.
You Have Been Going Above and Beyond for the Company
You’ve skipped date nights, guys’ night outs, and the kid’s school plays to put in extra work at the office on the weekends. You live and breathe your profession, literally. If this sounds like you, you certainly already know your worth, and it’s about time everyone else in the office knew it, as well. Ask for that raise, already!
You've Furthered Your Education
Graduate school, check. Having a Master’s in your career field definitely raises your value, as it’s likely you have acquired several new skills while pursuing a higher education. It also makes you even more valuable to the company, and they definitely can’t afford to lose you.
The Business Is Financially Stable
If the company is going through any type of transition, whether it’s merging with another corporation or downsizing, you should probably put your dreams of receiving a raise on the backburner, at least for now. The chances of you getting your wish granted are pretty slim at this point, especially if layoffs are happening. You should consider yourself lucky to still have your job at this point! On the contrary, if your division is doing well and seems to be rapidly growing, you might have better luck.
You’ve Gotten Another Job Offer
This could either end incredibly well, or terribly. If you’ve got a more lucrative offer on the table, then by all means, ask for a raise. However, if you have been there for less than a year, you need to be fully prepared for rejection, and some serious awkwardness if you decide to stay with the company. May the odds be ever in your favor!