Asking for a Pay Raise

And I'm Emma Wells. Hi, listeners! Jack, my heart beats fast just from your little story. I asked for a raise a few years ago, and it was very stressful.

I worked at a local newspaper in Cardiff, as a reporter. I was there for two years, and my salary didn't change in that time. But my job got harder every month.

First, I looked at the usual salary for reporters in my area. I found some job ads with clear numbers. I saw that my salary was lower than most of them.

Yes, I made a simple list. I wrote about three big stories I finished, and how they helped the paper sell more copies.

I felt very nervous. My hands were shaking a little. But I practiced my speech at home the night before, in front of a mirror.

I said, 'Mr. Diaz, I would like to talk about my salary. I believe my work grew a lot in two years. I would like a raise of ten percent.'

He looked surprised at first. He said he needed to check the budget, and he asked me to wait one week for an answer.

Yes, extremely nervous! I checked my email every hour. Finally, after one week, Mr. Diaz called me into his office again.

He gave me a raise, but only seven percent, not ten. Still, I was very happy, because it was more money than before.

Please do, Jack. Where did you work then, and what happened?

Oh, that's disappointing. Why did your head teacher say no?

Did she keep her promise? Did you get a raise six months later?

That's wonderful! It sounds like your patience really paid off in the end. Did that experience change how you saw your head teacher?

That's a really important lesson. Many people give up after one 'no' and never ask again.

My advice is simple: know your value. Write down your achievements, and know the usual salary for your job.

That's true. Timing is really important. What is a good time to ask for a raise, do you think?

That makes sense. What about very shy people? They feel bad talking about money directly. Do you have any tips for them?

I did that too! I practiced with Sam, my partner, three times before talking to Mr. Diaz. It really helped me feel calmer.

I think it's important to ask why. Understanding the reason can help you make a better plan for the future.

Exactly. Sometimes a boss can't give more money, but they can offer other things, like extra vacation days or a new title.

That's a good compromise. Not every benefit comes as money in your pocket. Some benefits are just as valuable.

I think talking in person or on a video call is usually better. It's easier to show confidence, and the conversation feels more personal.

That's a good strategy. You can write something short, like, 'Can we schedule a time to discuss my role and compensation?'

I hope so! Asking for a raise is never easy, but it gets a little easier with practice and preparation.

That's true, actually. My friend Nina moved to a new company last year and got a much bigger raise. It was bigger than any yearly raise at her old job.

I think companies sometimes forget to increase salaries for current employees. But they need to offer more money to attract new people from outside.

Some people do that. They show their manager a job offer from another company. They hope their current company will match the salary.

My friend Sofia did that last year. Her manager matched the new salary immediately, because he didn't want to lose her from the team.

Yes, that's the risk. You need to be ready to actually leave if your manager doesn't want to match the offer.

Exactly. Let's also talk about freelancers for a moment. How is asking for more money different for freelance workers?

How do freelancers know when it's time to raise their rates? Is there a simple rule for that?

That makes sense. I imagine it takes courage too, telling a client that your prices are going up.

That's a great connection. Now let's talk about after getting a raise. What should someone do next?

That's a nice touch. I sent Mr. Diaz a short email after my raise. I thanked him for believing in my work.

Absolutely. A raise isn't just about money; it's also about showing respect and appreciation on both sides.

Second, write down your achievements clearly, with numbers if possible. This makes your request much stronger.

Those are wonderful tips, Jack. I also want to add something about culture, because asking for a raise isn't the same everywhere in the world.

In some countries, talking about money directly is very normal. In other countries, people think it is rude or too aggressive.

Exactly. So our advice today works better in some countries than others. It's always good to think about your own workplace culture.

And one final small tip: always be polite and professional, no matter what your manager says. A respectful conversation leaves the door open for the future.

Great summary, Jack. Thank you for sharing your story today. And thank you to everyone listening to us.

Tell us about your own experience asking for a raise. What did your boss say: yes, no, or 'maybe later'? We would love to hear from you.