Ask for a Promotion or Raise Now (with Template)
It can be tough to put yourself out there. But if you feel like you have been killing it at work and want either more responsibility or more compensation, it’s time to start thinking about how to ask for a promotion and raise. You don’t just want to walk into your manager’s office without any preparation. And you want to know what to expect. It’s a process, not a one-and-done conversation. Approach this process with the mindset that a promotion would be mutually beneficial for you and the company. You have a lot to offer, so let’s map out how you can get that promotion.
This blog post will help you strategize for the right time to ask for a promotion, lay out a plan, and how to ask.
Step 1 – Know What You Deserve
Asking for a promotion is not begging. Your manager may even be excited to hear that you’re looking for added responsibilities. At the right time, talking about the future can show your commitment to the company.
The first thing you need to do in your planning is reflecting on what you want to ask and what will bring you happiness. Do you want added responsibility? A new role? More compensation for stellar performance? Knowing what you want to ask for will help you craft the justification.
Next, you want to ask yourself how you will answer the question, “why should I promote you?” The blog I Will Teach You to Be Rich has some helpful questions that will help you reflect.
Have you delivered specific results? Which ones? Estimate how much they were worth.
Has your communication improved? How so?
Are you more efficient than before? How do you know?
Do you know the business better? How does this translate to the company’s bottom line
Have you developed new skills? What kind?
Step 2 – Know the Numbers
When I asked for a salary increase this year, I used Robert Half 2021 Salary Guide. There’s also Glassdoor and Payscale. You want to know how your current salary falls compared to the median salary of that position in your area. By knowing this, you’ll see if you are underpaid, which is helpful in this process.
Check out several websites and decide on what you think your value is with that context.
Step 3 – Prove Your Success
When I started working, I knew I wanted to be well-prepared to ask for more responsibility and compensation at my one-year annual review. I kept track of all my projects and accomplishments on my phone using the Evernote app.
This was invaluable because it meant I wasn’t wracking my brain on what I had done the last year. It was all there on my phone. My recommendation is to perform above and beyond (knowing you want to ask at your review time or after a significant successful project) at least 3 to 6 months ahead of time. This puts you one step ahead when you check in with your manager to let them know where your head is.
Step 4 – Make the Ask (Promotion/Raise)
Don’t ask for a promotion or raise in a random meeting out of the blue. You don’t want your manager to be caught off guard or put on the spot. I checked in with my managers about six months ahead of my annual review. Sincerely, I told them that I felt really committed to the company and am interested in growing within my role and beyond. I asked them how promotions and raises work at the company and how they measured success specifically within my work. Lastly, I let them know I would be working toward those measurements, intending to discuss the possibility of a promotion.
Documentation
Once you’ve worked for months on going above and beyond, performing well, and tracking all your work, you want to prepare the documentation that will support your annual review or upcoming conversation with your manager.
I wrote a formal letter addressed to my manager with a formal request to review my position and salary. I included a list of achievements with metrics and specific projects that were successful or went beyond my job description. I also referenced my original job description and included keywords in the letter.
TEMPLATE/SAMPLE: Letter Requesting Job Promotion or Raise
Because my manager knew I would be requesting a promotion/raise, I received a response approving my request within two weeks of sending the letter.
Practice
When you’re planning for an in-person meeting with your manager, you want to prepare for all types of responses. For example, what if your manager acts annoyed having to discuss your salary? What if they give you an excuse like “we don’t give raises?” What if they ask you right away what number you’re asking for?
You also want to prepare to make a case for why your promotion and raise is beneficial to the company. Point to your accomplishment and how they connect to the business objectives and strategic goals.
This can be a stressful situation, so practice with a friend. Even just 1-2 hours of preparing and practicing can mean the difference.
Step 5 – Follow Up
If you end up getting an answer like “no” or “not yet,” you want to ask about a timeline and development plan to follow up and revisit the conversation. Understand the reasoning behind why your manager couldn’t grant your request at this time. Thank your manager for their time and ask them for regular feedback and input on how to improve your performance. Most importantly, be patient but also know your worth.
We can often sell ourselves short in the workplace — especially us women. It’s a big mistake to put off having these conversations or avoiding them. Know your worth and ask for it. Your company will never give you more than you ask, but they may give you what you ask if you prepare and show them the impact you have on the company. Negotiation is part of the game, and if you face it head-on, you could end up with a promotion and a raise.
Good luck!
TEMPLATE/SAMPLE: Letter Requesting Job Promotion or Raise
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