How to ask for a raise (and get it)

Many people work for years without asking for a raise out of fear or discomfort, and leave money they deserve on the table. Asking for an increase isn’t presumptuous: it’s a normal part of working life. With preparation and the right approach, it’s a conversation you can win. Here’s how.

Choose the right moment

The “when” matters as much as the “how.” Good moments to ask for a raise:

• After an important achievement or taking on more responsibility.
• In your performance review, annual or periodic.
• When the company is doing well and the mood is good.
• After a reasonable time demonstrating results.

Bad moments: in the middle of a company crisis, right after a mistake of yours, or when your boss is overloaded or stressed.

Prepare your arguments

A raise is justified by value delivered, not personal needs. Prepare:

• Your concrete achievements, with numbers if you can: projects, results, improvements, new responsibilities.
• Your market value: research what your role and experience pay. If you’re below, it’s a strong argument.
• What you bring going forward: not just what you’ve done, but your future contribution.

Gather evidence before the conversation. Data convinces; emotions don’t.

How to frame the conversation

1. Ask for a specific meeting, don’t drop it casually in the hallway.
2. Start positive: express that you like your job and want to keep growing there.
3. Present your achievements and your proposal: “Over the past year I achieved [X, Y, Z]. That’s why I’d like to review my salary and bring it to [figure or range].”
4. Give a concrete figure based on your research, not a vague “something more.”
5. Listen and stay silent after making the ask. Let them respond.

If the answer isn’t an immediate yes

They won’t always say yes on the spot, and that’s fine. Alternatives:

• Ask for a date to review it (“Can we set a goal and review it in three months?”).
• Negotiate other benefits: days off, flexibility, a bonus, training, a better title.
• Ask what they’d need to see to justify the raise, and turn it into your plan.

A well-handled “not now” can become a “yes” before long.

Mistakes to avoid

• Threatening to leave if you don’t mean it: it’s a dangerous bluff.
• Comparing your salary to a coworker’s: focus on your value, not theirs.
• Justifying it with personal expenses instead of your contribution.
• Getting defensive if they don’t accept right away.
• Not preparing and arriving with no data or clear figure.

Have a plan B

Sometimes the best way to improve your salary is having options elsewhere. Knowing there’s a market for your profile gives you confidence in the conversation —and if your company doesn’t value what you bring, maybe another one will.

At RápidoEmpleo you can explore what the market offers for your profile and country every day. Knowing your real value is the first step to asking for —and getting— what you deserve.