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How to ask for a payrise
Lifestyle

How to ask for a PAYRISE

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Ask someone how much they earn, and chances are they’ll look as though they’ve shit themselves. For some reason, talking about money just feels weird. It’s like a group of people got together centuries go and decided that cash money, along with sex, were best to be discussed “behind closed doors” and honestly literally why? It might not be deemed “polite conversation” by your judgey aunt, but let’s face it, the best convos never are.


Smashing through the circle of awks surrounding money is particularly important when it comes to work. We’re not firing off emails and embarking on our 490000th zoom call for a laugh are we? If you have a niggling feeling that you deserve more salary-wise, but have psyched yourself out of it multiple times, here’s how to finally nail the conversation and start stacking cheques baby. 


Feel the fear and do it anyway

Yep, let’s get it out of the way. It definitely feels like a punchy move to ask for more, but it really, really shouldn’t. Unless a good old humble brag is your MO, listing reasons why you think you’re the GOAT can feel gross, but unfortunately most people aren’t walking around actively trying to give you more money, and the juice can definitely be worth the squeeze. 


Know your worth

On that note, getting clear on all the brilliant things you offer is vital before requesting a bigger paycheque. YOU (hopefully) know you’re great, now you’ve got to remind the people you work for of that. Make a list of all the ways you’ve smashed it at work, and then another one of all the things you WILL smash in the future (fuelled by a few more dolla dolla billz). 


Know your shit

Being your own cheerleader is fab, but so is being realistic. Not to burst the self love bubble, but the fact you just want a phat cheque (who doesn’t?) isn’t a good enough reason for most companies to crack open the piggy bank. In this instance, Google is your friend and LinkedIn salary in particular is a great resource to learn what people in your exact position and location are earning. Knowledge is power.  


Forget the code of silence

Whether it’s a work wife, BFF or just someone you feel is on the same vibe as you, there’s definitely the potential to have an off the record chat about what you’re being paid. Make sure you wait for the right time and don’t ambush them or fire off down a weirdly intense line of questioning. Keeping it casual is key. Remember that some people just don’t feel comfortable talking about it and that’s okay too, although side note: it’s convenient for companies if employees don’t discuss their salaries, because then they can get away with wild discrepancies. Smash the system baby.  


Nervous? Do a dress rehearsal 

Although you might feel like a bit of a dick, practising for your big moment with a friend is actually pretty helpful. It’s likely you’ll be nervous, and running through it beforehand makes veering off wildy off course less of an option. 


Face-to-face it

Look, I know it’s tempting to fire off an email and avoid actually having to physically ask the question entirely, but it’s 100 times more effective when the discussion happens IRL. It can feel hard to state your worth and value verbally, but it also sends the message that babygirl didn’t come to play. That said, sending a message before your meeting outlining what you want to talk about and why might prime the runway and make a knee jerk “no” far less likely. 


And remember, the worst thing they can say is no

And if you do get a no, ask why, and what they would need to see for it to be a yes next time. A no can feel shit, but don’t let that clip your wings. Be prepared to back yourself, but be reasonable. No one ever got what they wanted by telling their manager to f*ck themselves, although that can feel really, really tempting. Deep breaths, hold off on snap ultimatums and ask for a development plan to help you nail it next time (or quit, throw on a woven poncho and move to a commune in Mexico, your call).  

Article Image Credit @yanamotina

Article written by Ianthe Jacob