Whether you feel underpaid for the work you do, have taken on more responsibilities, or struggling with the rising cost of living, there are many valid reasons to ask for a pay rise. Although asking for a raise is a normal and professional part of career development, requesting one can sometimes feel daunting. However, with the right preparation, timing and approach, you can confidently present your case and increase your chances of success.
In this guide, we will explore how to ask for a pay rise step by step, including how to prepare, negotiate your salary, and practical examples you can use in real-life conversations.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
- Key takeaways
- Why should you ask for a pay rise?
- 7 tips on how to ask for a pay rise
- Example text for how to ask for a pay rise
- Conclusion
1. Key takeaways
- Asking for a pay rise is a normal part of career progression
- Preparation and evidence are key to success
- Timing can impact your outcome
- Confidence and clarity are essential
- Be open to negotiation
- Practice what to say in advance
2. Why should you ask for a pay rise?
Asking for a pay rise is a normal part of career development – as you gain experience, develop new skills and take on more responsibility, it’s expected that your salary should grow to reflect that.
You might consider asking for a pay rise if:
- You are consistently exceeding expectations or targets
- You have undertaken a relevant qualification or developed new skills
- You’ve taken on additional tasks and responsibilities
- Your salary is below industry standards in your sector
- You haven’t had a salary review in a long time
It’s also important to bear in mind that asking for a pay rise isn’t about you being demanding or pushy; you are simply trying to ensure that your compensation fairly reflects your contributions and the value you bring.
3. 7 tips on how to ask for a pay rise
1. Prepare your case
Preparation is key when asking for a pay rise. You may feel you deserve one, but without evidence to back up your claims, your argument will be less convincing.
To prepare, think about:
- Your key achievements e.g. projects completed, targets hit etc
- The impact your actions had, for example increased revenue, improved processes
- Positive feedback received from managers or colleagues
- Additional responsibilities you’ve taken on
2. Research salary expectations
Before asking for a raise, research what others in similar roles in your industry are earning. Look at current job listings, and salary comparison websites such as Glassdoor.
As well as strengthening your negotiation, researching salary trends will also help you to set realistic expectations and avoid undervaluing yourself.
3. Choose your timing carefully
Timing can make a big difference to the success of your pay rise negotiation. Avoid raising the conversation during organisational challenges or high-pressure periods. Good times to ask might be during a performance review, or after you have successfully completed a major piece of work.
4. Arrange a formal meeting
Request a dedicated meeting with your manager, rather than bringing it up casually, as this will give them time to prepare. You can keep the request neutral and constructive at this stage – simply ask for some time to discuss your performance and future development.
5. Be clear and confident
In the meeting itself, keep a balance between being direct yet respectful in your communication. Avoid uncertain phrases like ‘I was wondering if it might be possible.’ Instead, a much more effective statement is ‘I’d like to discuss a review of my salary based on my contributions’, which focuses on your value rather than your personal circumstances.
6. Be prepared to negotiate
Although the conversation might go positively, you might not get an immediate ‘yes’ to your dream pay rise. Instead, you might have to keep open to discussing a smaller increase, or a date when your request might be reviewed again.
It’s important to remember that negotiation is likely to be part of the process, and if you remain flexible, this could lead to a better outcome for you in the long term.
7. Follow up patiently
After the discussion has taken place, follow up with a polite email to thank them for their time. If the outcome wasn’t what you wanted, request some feedback on their decision if possible.
4. Example text for how to ask for a pay rise
Use the below examples as templates for how to confidently request a pay rise; practicing in advance can also help with reducing nerves!
Example 1: Requesting a meeting via email
Dear [manager’s name]
I hope you are doing well.
I was wondering if we could schedule some time soon to discuss my current role, performance, and future development.
Please let me know a time that would work for you.
Best wishes,
[Your name]
Example 2: What to say in the meeting
‘Thank you for agreeing to meet with me today – I appreciate your time. I’ve really enjoyed working here in my role as [insert job title here]. Over the past [insert time period here], I’ve taken on additional responsibilities and achieved [insert examples of specific achievements here]. Based on this, I would like to discuss a review of my salary to better reflect my contributions.’
Example 3: Responding during negotiation
If your manager is hesitant to agree:
‘I understand that budgets might be tight at the moment. Would it be possible to review this again in a few months, or explore other ways to recognise my contribution in the meantime?’
Look out for industry events through LinkedIn and apps like Meetup, as these are a great opportunity to find and network with potential mentors.
- People in your industry
Why not reach out to people that you know to see if they’re aware of any potential mentors? This could be done through LinkedIn, alumni networks or by talking to friends or family.
5. Conclusion
Asking for a pay rise may feel daunting, but it’s a natural part of career progression, and the only way to guarantee you won’t get one is by not asking at all! By preparing properly and approaching the conversation with confidence, you can put yourself in a much stronger position to show the value you bring. Even if you don’t get an immediate yes to a raise, having the conversation can still be positive, and could open the door to future opportunities for growth.
Looking to build your confidence and develop your career further? Explore more advice articles from Unitemps:
- Creating a career development plan
- Are you doubting yourself again? It might be a case of imposter syndrome
- Knowing when to move on from your current job
Written by Amy Evan-Cook.
Last updated on 18 June 2026
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