Lean into better pay.
Asking for a raise can sometimes be scary.
When you've never asked for a raise before it can feel really intimidating. And you're not alone in feeling that way. “The thought of asking for a pay rise fills me with dread. I think this is largely a self-confidence thing. Even though I have often felt like I'm doing two or three people's jobs for the price of one, I look around me and think 'but I'm not working as hard as so and so...'which stops me in my tracks.”
Lack of confidence or feeling 'impostor syndrome' can sometimes be gendered: “I have noticed that male colleagues seem to find it easier to talk up their achievements – and I imagine this attitude helps them enormously when the time comes to ask for a raise. I feel like I need to just fake this attitude in order to compete, but I resent having to behave in a way that doesn't feel natural. I would like somebody to notice the hard work I do, rather than have to shout about it!” Anonymous, 29, Publishing Industry
So how can you ask for the raise you deserve?
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Sian Butcher
Be very clear on why you deserve a raise.
Bee Barker, Head of Social & Senior Digital Marketing Manager says clarity is important when asking for a pay increase: “Be very clear on why you deserve a raise. Raises are rarely going to be awarded if your only reason for asking is 'because I've been here the longest' or 'because someone else in another team got one'. Although these factors might have attributed to you asking, keep that to yourself and focus on having some clear and persuasive ways that you are worth paying more for.”
It's not about what you want but showing your worth: “Think about ways you can prove your value. This might sound odd, but you ARE valuable to your team and your company. Obviously it's easier in sales or marketing roles as you can clearly prove where you have financially boosted the business and therefore use this as a strong argument. However, if you're an amazing team assistant then perhaps your value is in the fact you ensure everybody in your team is working to the best of their ability. If you write amazing copy; find out how this can be tracked back to a successful campaign. Think about the ways you have gone the extra mile or picked up additional projects. If you have stretched your job spec or remit in any way then you are adding value, and it's those aspects to highlight.”
Sian Butcher
Think about things you've done that have added value.
Asking is essential: “I'm in a job now where we're given fair pay rises each year, if the business can afford it. Our contracts state that pay rises are discussed at annual reviews, so at my first one I was all geared up to ask for a raise. Then I got given one that was more than I was going to ask for! Because of that clarity and fairness around rises, I don't feel the need to ask any more (though if it wasn't forthcoming in a review, I would want to know why).”
“In my last job, though, I always felt overworked and underpaid – so I tried to ask for raises as often as I could. I think I asked for four in the two years I worked there, the first one two months in when they changed my job title from the one I'd applied for. Each time I asked, I remembered a conversation with a friend from school to psych myself up – we'd talked a few years before about how women don't ask for pay rises as often as men, and that's how they get left behind on salary. So I would think of this friend, and tell myself to be brave for all the women out there who weren't getting raises each time I wanted to ask! And it worked – by the time I left I'd increased my salary by 50% from when I started.
“Top tip: think about things you've done that have added value, and how much more than your job description you're offering. That's why you deserve more money! My least successful attempt to ask for a raise was done with an argument along the lines of "I do loads, and also I'm trying to buy a house." From that I learnt: your employer doesn't give out money based on your personal circumstances, so don't even bother.”
Anonymous, 26, Digital Media
Sian Butcher
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