Decide Whether to Ask for a Pay Rise in the Next Three Months

You think you are underpaid. You might be right. But asking for a rise without a case is a different conversation from asking with one, and timing matters. This works through the decision: what the market says, what your demonstrable contribution has been, whether the timing is right, and whether the case is strong enough to make now or needs building for the next cycle.

You are considering asking for a pay rise. Before you do, work through whether now is the right time and what you are working with.

1. Market rate: what does the salary data for your role, level, and location actually say? Have you looked at comparable roles in similar organisations, not just what was advertised?
2. Your case: what specific, demonstrable contribution have you made in the last twelve months that goes beyond your job description? List three concrete things.
3. The timing: is the organisation in a position to give pay rises, and is your own position strong enough that this is a negotiation rather than a risk?
4. The gap: what is the difference between your current salary and what the data and your contribution suggest you should be earning?
5. Decision: based on this analysis, is the case strong enough to make now, or are there specific things to build for the next performance cycle? If now: what is your opening number and your bottom line?