Asking for a raise at work

[dragonwalker]

I'd like to ask for a raise at work. I'm scheduled to have an annual review tomorrow. I was told about the impending review earlier this week. It's typically done during the early part of the following year but it was moved up for logistical reasons. I am expecting it to be positive but I'm not sure when to ask for a raise. Should I do this during the review, afterwards, or should I not bring it up at all?

[Blamalam]

*Lurker peeping out for a change*

I'm not sure asking is the best strategy. I've gone to my boss (no formal review process) with concrete numbers justifying a bump in salary. In my case, I was managing a large-ish restaurant and I was directly responsible for lowering labor costs, liquor costs, comps in general, and had been mentioned by name in a couple of positive reviews. Also, I'd taken on responsibility for creating nightly specials menus (the chef was willing to not offer specials at all, which jacked up his food costs--he blamed that on servers' mistakes, which was BS) with some items that sold (no pun intended) like hotcakes.

I asked my boss for 15 minutes, laid out my pitch ("Over the past eight months, I've...") and then told him that I felt I'd earned a piece of the improvements that I'd brought to his business. He grumbled, but eventually I got my raise...and a bonus based on P&L. Now, I knew this guy--had I asked for a raise, he would've laughed me out of the meeting.

I guess what I'm saying is don't be afraid to testify about your own worth as an employee, rather than asking someone to recognize it. You might not get a raise, which is where the market rate info/other job offer could save the day. Yes, it's a slightly more ballsy approach, which isn't always a good thing. However, being direct in this matter could lead the way to additional responsibilities later. Right after my meeting with the owner, he had to mediate a showdown between the chef (highest-paid employee there) and me over the chef's treatment of one of my servers. I won that showdown, and I'm not sure I would've had I not gone to him and made my case for a raise.

Just food for thought...

[mnsaver]

I agree with the above posters. You don't "ask" for a raise. You earn it and your review is a time to show what you've done for the company. Process improvements, lower error rate, increased sales, ect. Ideally this should have been done before the review. I keep a word doc all year long that documents my accomplishments. That way I remember exactly what I've done (I do a lot) and keep track of hard numbers, more responsibility (especially if the added responsibility belongs to a higher level). That way my boss has numbers to justify a raise/promotion.

[daveydinner]

It depends on the organization. Last week I had a good review and at the end said to the CEO, "I'd like a raise in 2015." He's a tough guy... but when he said "how much" I said, paraphrasing, well that's for you to decide but I took this position with twice the responsibility with no raise in pay last year, and as we just discussed, i did a pretty good job right? He blurted out a number, which increased my salary by 12%. Now my savings rate in 2015 will be 50%.

I wanted to ask all year and always chickened out. It was never the "right" time. But at the end of the year I was flying on some big accomplishments and just asked.

I doubt any raise would have happened if I didn't ask. I wish I'd done it 6 months ago.

[Capsu78]

...and if you are going to "Lean In", be sure to use a double dose of mouthwash!

Seriously, to offer some advice, there is an old public speaking tip that could be helpful.  "Tell them what you are about to tell them, Tell them and then tell them what you just told them."   Practice your pitch in front of a mirror and set yourself up for the "ask" by saying "I would like to take a moment to make a case for justifying asking you for a raise, make your case and then say "This is why I would like to ask for a raise at this time."  I have had people ask for raises by just blurting it at the oddest times...typically when writing up a performance review I am giving thought to the probability that the reviewee will ask about it.  I once had an employee ask for a raise as I was initiation a mandatory performance improvement plan.

I am so glad I don't manage people anymore!

[Capsu78]

...and of course there is always this approach:

http://www.theonion.com/articles/report-slamming-boss-against-wall-shouting-cash,37265/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_campaign=LinkPreview:NA:InFocus