The Right Time to Ask for a Raise
15 June 2012
Read by 2117 persons
"You've thought it over carefully. You've made your decision and you're going to see your Supervisor to ask for a raise." Thus begins Georges Perec's play, "The Raise", in which the character spends his time waiting for the opportune moment to make his request (and even considers holding his boss hostage for 40 days to get his way!). While wacky, the play highlights the serious dilemma faced by the deserving employee that you are: you've sharpened your arguments to get a raise, but what's the right time to present them?
Watch out for bad timing
There are certainly opportune moments to discuss your raise, but there are especially days when you should absolutely avoid talking about it, for example: in two days, your company will announce a 20% drop in its turnover; last week, a redundancy plan was launched and your supervisor signed the papers for his divorce... In short, if you feel that the atmosphere is negative, that relations are tense or that you yourself are not at your best, postpone the discussion. Another not-so-smart time: the day after your return after 3 weeks of vacation. Of course, you'll be in great shape and full of enthusiasm, but your boss may find the approach a bit inflated! Once you're sure that you, your company and your boss are all in the best position to talk about a raise, there are plenty of "good" times.
Legitimate moments
In order to avoid your approach being perceived as a demand (thus reducing your chances of success), you must choose a legitimate moment, which will seem quite natural to your interlocutor.
For example:
following extra work or a major project entrusted to you (and which you brilliantly orchestrated, needless to say)
at the time of a change of status, position, qualification or place of work
on the anniversary date of your previous raise
on a date set in advance, even informally (this is often the case when you request an interview and you are told "We'll talk about it in three months, okay?": on your side, it's duly noted!)
In all cases, find out what date the following year's salaries are decided in your company, and plan accordingly.
The annual review: yes, but...
Although the annual performance review is not required by law (unlike the "professional interview", which every employee with 2 years of seniority must benefit from at least once every 2 years), it is customary in most companies: this is obviously the right time to discuss a raise. But if possible, don't do it on the day of the interview itself, which is primarily used to take stock of the past year and to set new objectives if necessary. However, put the subject on the agenda, without necessarily talking about your demands, with the aim of agreeing on a later meeting on this subject. It is indeed better to let some time pass, analyze the results and then see your boss again to talk specifically about a raise, especially if the conclusions of the annual review play in your favor. The only drawback is that annual interviews are often done in groups for all employees, who, like you, will probably ask for a raise on this occasion. The consequence is that the amount is likely to be less than if it had been negotiated at another time of the year.
Choosing the right time to talk about a raise is therefore important: it can allow you to get more than if you did it in less favorable circumstances. But the main point remains that you must talk about it if your employer does not take the initiative. It's your turn!
Watch out for bad timing
There are certainly opportune moments to discuss your raise, but there are especially days when you should absolutely avoid talking about it, for example: in two days, your company will announce a 20% drop in its turnover; last week, a redundancy plan was launched and your supervisor signed the papers for his divorce... In short, if you feel that the atmosphere is negative, that relations are tense or that you yourself are not at your best, postpone the discussion. Another not-so-smart time: the day after your return after 3 weeks of vacation. Of course, you'll be in great shape and full of enthusiasm, but your boss may find the approach a bit inflated! Once you're sure that you, your company and your boss are all in the best position to talk about a raise, there are plenty of "good" times.
Legitimate moments
In order to avoid your approach being perceived as a demand (thus reducing your chances of success), you must choose a legitimate moment, which will seem quite natural to your interlocutor.
For example:
following extra work or a major project entrusted to you (and which you brilliantly orchestrated, needless to say)
at the time of a change of status, position, qualification or place of work
on the anniversary date of your previous raise
on a date set in advance, even informally (this is often the case when you request an interview and you are told "We'll talk about it in three months, okay?": on your side, it's duly noted!)
In all cases, find out what date the following year's salaries are decided in your company, and plan accordingly.
The annual review: yes, but...
Although the annual performance review is not required by law (unlike the "professional interview", which every employee with 2 years of seniority must benefit from at least once every 2 years), it is customary in most companies: this is obviously the right time to discuss a raise. But if possible, don't do it on the day of the interview itself, which is primarily used to take stock of the past year and to set new objectives if necessary. However, put the subject on the agenda, without necessarily talking about your demands, with the aim of agreeing on a later meeting on this subject. It is indeed better to let some time pass, analyze the results and then see your boss again to talk specifically about a raise, especially if the conclusions of the annual review play in your favor. The only drawback is that annual interviews are often done in groups for all employees, who, like you, will probably ask for a raise on this occasion. The consequence is that the amount is likely to be less than if it had been negotiated at another time of the year.
Choosing the right time to talk about a raise is therefore important: it can allow you to get more than if you did it in less favorable circumstances. But the main point remains that you must talk about it if your employer does not take the initiative. It's your turn!
