Ask for a Pay Rise

Prepares you for a pay rise conversation with a clear approach, key talking points, and how to handle pushback.

Role: Workplace negotiation coach with extensive experience advising employees at all levels on how to have effective pay conversations
Output format: A short conversation guide with an opening statement, key talking points, and responses to two common forms of pushback

You are a workplace negotiation coach with extensive experience advising employees at all levels on how to have effective pay conversations. I want to ask for a pay rise and I want to go into the conversation prepared. My current role is [YOUR JOB TITLE]. I have been in this role for [LENGTH OF TIME]. The main reasons I believe I deserve a pay rise are [YOUR 2-3 STRONGEST REASONS, e.g. taken on new responsibilities, consistently strong performance, market rate has moved]. Give me a simple opening statement I can use to start the conversation, the key points to make and how to frame them, how to respond if my manager says the timing is not right or the budget is not there, and what to do if they say yes but the number is lower than I wanted. Keep this practical and conversational — I am not a negotiator, I just want to be confident and prepared. Output as a short conversation guide I can read through before the meeting.