How to Ask for a Higher Salary at Work

(SPOT.ph) So, you’re ready to pen that farewell email and wave goodbye to the place that keeps you glued to a desk and occasionally fuels your caffeine addiction. Why? Because you’re feeling underpaid and, more often than not, this is accompanied by the feeling of being overworked like a hamster on a never-ending wheel of deliverables.

But before you hit “send” on the resignation you drafted months (or years) ago, have you thought about asking for a raise? Salary bumps don’t just rain down from the heavens, and—unless you’re one of the lucky few—most companies aren’t handing them out voluntarily. It’s on you to make the case, show the receipts (literally or metaphorically), and prove you deserve that little extra in your next paycheck.

Also read: How Much Should Your Salary Be? This Tool Lets You Check If It's Above or Below the Pack

Here's what you need to know about asking about that well-deserved salary increase:

First time asking for a salary increase? One of the questions that you will ask is, "To whom do I raise this dying need to?" Regina Taguibao, a Section Head-Talent Acquisition in Summit Media, says that the first person you should talk to about asking for a salary increase is your immediate head or supervisor; second, your bestie from Human Resources. These are the key people to discuss this matter with... right after consulting your close friends circle at work (jokingly).

How much salary increase should you ask for?

Second, you're probably wondering: how much of an increase should I ask for? Usually, a company has a standard salary structure wherein there are compensation benchmarks based on the industry and the size of the company. Additionally, Taguibao says there is also internal equity to consider. In layman's terms, internal equity is the company's commitment to paying employees fairly and equally for similar roles, responsibilities, and experience levels. This information is confidential, hence it cannot be disclosed by the employer.

Taguibao suggests that you conduct research on market rates. "There are websites freely available such as Glassdoor that can provide this data which helps in setting a realistic target of salary increase." You can also check job postings (or roles similar to yours) that disclose the pay range, or you can also ask people in the same industry as you to give insights into the typical pay for your job level and experience.

When is the right time to ask for a salary increase?

But before you set up that Teams or Zoom meeting with your supervisor or HR, you should also know the golden rule of "timing is key" also applies in the quest for a well-deserved salary increase. Taguibo says, "If you are someone who was recently hired, it is ideal to wait for after six months or until a year. This provides ample time for the employer to observe and analyze the person’s performance."

If you've been in the company long enough, you more or less have an idea (or vibe check) of the company's financial position. In this case, if you already know or feel that the company is struggling financially, "it will not be an appropriate time to ask for a raise," Taguibao adds.

What qualifies for a salary increase?

As much as we'd want to reason out a request for a salary increase on the never-ending inflation, it's a little more complicated than that. Taguibao says, "I would suggest not to base the [salary increase] request solely on personal financial needs. While increased living costs are understandable, basing the requests on this aspect might seem unprofessional."

Taguibao says, "A valid reason [for a raise] could be because of performance and achievements. If the person has exceeded his/her KPIs [key performance indicators] which provided value add or create a successful impact in the company’s standing."

This is what we meant about the receipts: You have to show that you deserve the raise. It can be because you're consistently exceeding your targets, or that you're taking on more responsibilities—and Taguibao advises against comparing yourself with your colleagues. "'Why does this person earn more than I do?', etc. This manner may be seen as a negative behavior and assume a sense of entitlement."

What are the common reasons companies cannot give a salary increase?

As mentioned, employers will also take into consideration the industry salary benchmarks for similar roles and the financial status of the company before deciding if they'll give you the raise or not. Taguibao says if the company's circumstances are unfavorable, there is a chance for the company to not grant the salary increase.

She adds that other factors behind declining a new salary request include the company's internal equity and existing company policy limitations—otherwise, it's on the employee's end, which, for lack of a better term, means underperformance.

What can you do if you don't get a salary increase?

It’s easy to feel disappointed, but remember that a “no” right now doesn’t mean “no” forever. Just because your request for a salary increase was declined doesn't mean it's never going to happen. If the company, unfortunately, declined your request, Taguibao says, "Ask for specific reasons why the increase cannot be granted and ask what areas could be improved or what options can be explored."

In case the decline is more about fulfilling a role than it is about the company's financial state, additionally, you can consider setting a meeting with your employer and setting a timeline for a future review—around three to six months after. 

Regina Taguibao has eight years of work experience in the field of recruitment and Digital Recruitment Marketing and Engagement. Taguibao is currently the Section Head-Talent Acquisition in Summit Media (Summit Publishing Co., Inc.) for one year and eight months as of writing.

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