How should young workers ask for a pay rise?

It’s an awkward situation that no one really likes doing, but asking for a raise is a normal process that the majority of employees go through. For young workers, however, it can be a scary endeavour.

HR Leader recently spoke to Cayla Dengate, a career expert at LinkedIn Australia, about how young workers can navigate asking for a rise in their remuneration. The process in itself can be uncomfortable for all workers, especially those who may not have experienced it before.

Dengate explained that being prepared is crucial.

“Having a salary conversation can seem daunting if you have never had to do this before; however, it’s important to learn how to have these conversations, and there are simple strategies you can put in place to facilitate the negotiation,” she said.

“Whether you’re negotiating salary, asking for a raise, or discussing a bonus, you need to walk into the conversation prepared.”

Being prepared for the conversation is key, and by referencing strides that you’ve made in your job role, the conversation can go over a lot smoother. If an employee, especially a younger one, goes into a conversation like this unprepared, it could create some frustration for the manager or director they’re conversing with, which could spoil the chances of receiving a pay rise.

Having the knowledge of the market value of your job role can be imperative to reinforce the belief that you deserve a pay rise. Understanding this aspect and having examples of positive outcomes you’ve created go hand in hand when securing a boost.

“Know your worth. It can be hard to know your market value if you’re changing cities, positions or careers for a new job, but looking at salary calculator sites and speaking with others in your profession can help you get a better understanding,” said Dengate.

“Have examples ready. If you’re asking for a raise, have examples ready to showcase why you deserve the raise and support your claims. Focus on accomplishments you’ve achieved, skills you’ve acquired since your last salary adjustment, and ways you’ve impacted the company.”

The last piece of advice that Dengate offered was to ensure that the timing of this salary conversation was appropriate, but also not to wait around for formal avenues such as performance reviews.

“Choose your timing carefully. You can ask for a raise at any time, not just during a performance review. If you nailed a huge presentation or delivered stellar results, this may be a good time to bring up the conversation,” said Dengate.