Didn't get a raise last year? There's a strategy that successful professionals use that you should master to ask for a raise this year.
Discussing a salary increase is one of the most delicate and stressful moments in any professional's career. It's normal to feel apprehensive or uncomfortable. However, you must approach this moment not as a "favor," but as a well-deserved professional negotiation based on the value you deliver.
It's not enough to feel you deserve more; you have to prove it with irrefutable reasons for asking for a raise. The difference between success and failure lies in preparation.
In this article, we'll simplify this process. You'll learn to identify the most compelling reasons to ask for a raise, structure your arguments, and master the art of approaching your boss assertively and professionally. Get ready to increase your chances of success!
before moving on: when and how to ask for a raise?
Before you even think about what reasons you'll use to ask for a raise, you need to master the preparation phase. It's not just the "what" that matters, but the "when" and the "how much".
Asking how to effectively request a raise starts with market intelligence and sensitivity to your company's context.
timing is everything (the right moment)
You shouldn't bring up the topic of salary at just any time. Choosing the right moment is half the battle won. If your boss is under pressure, your negotiation won't get the attention it deserves.
You should consider these factors in your timing:
- Company cycles: Do you know when the company conducts its annual budget reviews or performance reviews? Ideally, your conversation should take place before those budgets are finalized.
- The environment: avoid asking for a raise if the company has just announced cuts, significant losses, or is going through a major stress or restructuring crisis.
- The best time: The most powerful moment to ask for a raise is immediately after a major win – closing an important deal, successfully completing a complex project, or receiving exceptional feedback from a client. This directly links your request to recent, quantifiable added value.
market research
If you don't know your market value, you might be asking for too much (which will make you seem out of touch) or, more likely, asking for too little (which will cause you to lose money).
Therefore, before any conversation, you should do your "market research" or salary benchmarking.
What you should know:
- Value of the role: how much do other companies in your sector and region pay professionals with your level of experience and responsibility?
- The average: use reliable salary tools and reports (like those from Randstad!) to get a realistic range.
- Your position: your goal is always to aim for fair value and, if possible, for the top third of that range, if your performance justifies it.
Having this solid and well-founded number is one of the most undeniable arguments for a salary increase that you can bring to the negotiating table.
the reasons for asking for a salary increase are more solid.
This is the most important section, as this is where you will build your case. Your request for a raise must be irrefutable and, to achieve this, it must be based on facts and not just personal needs.
The best reasons to ask for a raise are those that demonstrate your increasing value to the company.
exceptional performance and quantifiable results
The strongest argument is always your performance. It's not enough to say you work hard; you have to prove that your results are above average for your position.
Prepare a short dossier focusing on:
- Numbers: goals you exceeded (example: "I increased sales by 15% in the last quarter").
- Value delivered: projects you completed and their financial or operational impact (example: "I reduced operational costs by €8,000 with the implementation of the new system X").
- Recognition: positive feedback from clients or colleagues that proves your value.
The arguments for a salary increase must be quantifiable. If it cannot be measured, it is not a sound argument.
new responsibilities and upskilling
If your job today isn't the same as it was a year ago, your salary shouldn't be either. This is one of the easiest reasons to justify asking for a raise.
What should you highlight?
- Added responsibilities: Did you take on tasks from a colleague who left? Are you managing a new project that wasn't in your initial job description?
- Informal leadership: Have you started mentoring new colleagues or coordinating small work groups?
- Relevant upskilling: You have completed specific training (such as an AI certification or a new language) that is being applied and generating returns for the company.
If your role has evolved and your contribution has grown, you need to make sure your salary reflects this new reality.
length of service and loyalty
While this shouldn't be your only argument, your longevity at the company is a factor to be valued.
Time spent at the company represents:
- Institutional knowledge: you know how things work internally, which makes you more efficient and saves the company time.
- Loyalty: your continued presence represents stability and saves the company costs on recruiting and integrating new talent.
You can use your accumulated experience to demonstrate that you are an irreplaceable asset.
salary out of line with the market average
Remember the market research you did in the previous section? Now is the time to use it as arguments to ask for a raise.
If you can prove that you are doing the same work as other professionals in your field, but receiving significantly less pay, you have a very strong case on your hands.
Caution: present this argument objectively and factually, focusing on the data and not your personal expenses. It's a matter of professional value, not financial need.
how to approach your boss to ask for a raise (the communication strategy)
Understanding the reasons for asking for a raise is only half the battle. The other half, equally crucial, is mastering the communication strategy. How you present yourself and what you say (and how you say it) directly influences the outcome.
Learning how to approach your boss to ask for a raise requires professionalism, confidence, and above all, a well-prepared script.
preparing the conversation (your script)
Don't improvise! Never go into a meeting without knowing exactly what you're going to say. Your script should be short, focused on value, and demonstrate your self-confidence.
To learn how to ask for a raise, structure your speech in three steps:
- Summary of achievements: start by recalling your most important victories (use the numbers from the previous section). Example: "Since our last conversation, I delivered X and we achieved Y."
- The clear request: define your expectation. Be direct about the value you are seeking (e.g., "My market value is Z, and I propose that my salary be adjusted to [exact value]").
- Looking ahead: it shows your commitment. It reinforces the value you will continue to deliver in the coming months.
Practicing this out loud helps you manage anxiety and stay calm.
how to request a salary increase in writing (via email)
The request for a raise itself should be made in person, but the initial approach should be formalized. Email is the ideal tool to show respect for your boss's time and ensure perfect timing.
Email should be used for:
- Formalize the meeting request: never ask for a raise in the body of the email.
- Define the topic: you should be transparent about the purpose (e.g., "I would like to schedule 20 minutes to discuss my career development and compensation").
This is crucial: the negotiation is verbal, but the scheduling is written and professional.
examples of effective arguments for a salary increase.
Don't use vague phrases like "I've been working incredibly hard." Instead, use script examples that connect your value to the financial offer: These arguments for a salary increase demonstrate that you are a professional who knows your worth and is ready to negotiate fairly and in an informed manner.
what to do after the conversation?
The meeting is over. You made your request, presented your reasons for asking for a salary increase, and your arguments were solid. Now what?
What happens in the days and weeks following the conversation is crucial. Your follow-up management defines your professional stance, regardless of the final response.
registration and tracking
If the response was positive or if the boss promised to review the request, you should formalize the result. This avoids misunderstandings and ensures that what was agreed upon is fulfilled.
You should send a concise follow-up email:
- Thank you: I appreciate your time and the opportunity to talk.
- Record: mention the next agreed-upon steps (e.g., "I await your formal response by day X, as agreed in our meeting.").
- If negotiated: if it's a phased increase, record the agreed percentages and dates.
This transforms an informal conversation into a documented commitment.
managing negative responses
What if the answer is "no"? Don't see it as a failure, but as an opportunity to ask for valuable feedback. How you react to a "no" demonstrates your professional maturity.
If the raise is denied, do the following:
- Remain calm and professional: do not react emotionally or in a threatening manner. Thank them for their time and honesty.
- It asks for a development plan: it questions what you need to do or achieve to make the increase possible in the next review.
- Define the next check-in: ask your boss, "What specific metrics should I achieve in the next six months so that we can revisit this topic?"
This changes the conversation from a rejection to a clear action plan, which will give you the right reasons for your next request.
the reasons for requesting a salary increase based on value.
We've reached the end of this journey. If there's one thing you should remember, it's that asking for a raise isn't an act of courage, but rather an act of strategic preparation. Your reasons for asking for a salary increase must be based on facts, on the value delivered, and not on personal needs.
When you enter a negotiation with concrete data exceptional performance, new responsibilities, and market knowledge you make it much easier to get a "yes."
Is your value reflected in the market?
You did your research and understood your market value. Now you can objectively compare your situation: Your career path is yours, and you should manage it proactively. If your market value is consistently higher than your current compensation, you have two options: either the company corrects the discrepancy, or you look for a new path.
look for opportunities that value you.
If you've applied all the strategies presented here and your company still hasn't lived up to your values and ambitions, it's time to take action.
Remember: your growth cannot stop.
Randstad has the best job opportunities on the market, in companies that seek and value proactivity and results. Explore our vacancies now and find a new challenge where your salary finally reflects your true value.