How do I ask for a raise?

Question

I was offered a promotion, but the pay that was offered was not good at all. It has been 1 month into the new title and I am working 10-11 hour days, traveling, and not seeing any rewards in pay. I do not have my own office which makes daily functions difficult. How do I inform my boss that I think I deserve more money.

Answer 1

If you're putting in more hours with only a small increase you have not received a raise at all.  Even if you are a salaried employee (instead of being paid hourly) you should be making more money for the time you work.  

Figure out how much you're really making on an hourly basis.  (Weekly pay / hours worked)  If it is less than you were making before you were promoted you are being taken advantage of.  

Decide what a fair rate of pay is and sit down with your boss immediately.   Point out what you have been accomplishing; what your actual compensation works out to; and what an acceptable rate of pay would be.    Then ask, "What can we do about this?"

The answer you get will tell you whether your manager is willing to go to bat for you.  If not, I would start looking for a job where my work is valued and rewarded appropriately.

Answer 2

I think Fluellen gave an excellent answer.  

The only thing I think I would add is job security issues and the chances you would get the same or better job elsewhere.  If the current job market in your industry is poor, you employer likely knows this and may feel they don't need to offer you more pay because fear of being without a job will keep you in line.  

Also, how hard is it for them to replace you?  Do you have a specific skill set or legacy knowledge that makes you truly valuable to the company?  These factors are also things that might be useful to know before walking into that meeting.  Don't throw them into your bosses face, but it is important to know what it is worth to the company to keep you there.

Finally, having advocates also helps.  If there are other managers who feel you are doing a great job, ask them to tell your supervisor.  This will help your boss feel you are an asset worth paying for.  

Answer 3

Ask for a specific amount or you may not like what's offered. You should point out that the new job has increased the amount of hours you work and travel.

Answer 4

First, know exactly how much you want, and how much you'd be willing to settle for. You're going to set up an appointment with your boss, and you need to be fully prepared. When you see your boss at this meeting, smile. Thank them gratefully for the increased responsibility and opportunity to do even greater work for the company. However, and this is a source of slight sorrow to you, considering how much work you are putting in (documented lists and specific examples help here), you feel the responsibility is deserving of a higher wage than you are currently receiving. This is particularly true if the job itself has increased from the original job description. Ooh, do some research beforehand too. If you find that other people doing similar work, either within your company or in rival ones, are earning more money, point this out. Request your ideal wage politely and leave it on the boss's table (but don't then forget about it; persistently but not pushily ask your boss if they've reached a decision until you get your answer).

Your boss may try to raise you to a wage higher than your current but lower than your ideal; this is why I suggested at the start you come up with a "willing to settle for" wage. If your boss offers a raise that is not what you had hoped for, you can either accept it blandly, or you can accept it but asking for specific targets you can work towards in order to secure a further wage increase.

If your boss refuses to increase your wage, pin them down and question them about it. Ask what you can do to make you worthy of the wage. Ask for specific targets so you can work towards them, then present them as accomplishments to your boss. If your boss then still refuses to give you a wage increase, you may wish to start looking elsewhere. If you are truly a good worker deserving of a higher wage, then look for a job that will reflect that.

Asking for money always feels awkward. But if your requests are reasonable and rational, then you have no need to feel embarrassed. Good luck!

Answer 5

You can write to him/her, you can send an e-mail frankly I don't where is the problem, lack of time is not an excuse to ask what you deserve.

Answer 6

Never show your cards first.  The first rule in negotiating!!