What's the best way to ask for a raise?

[cchen]

I'm making 8.50 right now at my part time job. I'm ve working for more than a year already and I'm looking to get a raise. What's the best way to ask? Email? In person? Letter?

And is asking for 10/hour too much?

 

[Cattlegod]

well my buddy was working construction for 14 bucks an hour. he just quit the other day for a different higher paying job and his boss said, hey, ill give you a 2 dollar raise if you stay. he is still thinking on it, but will probably go to the new job anyway.


im not saying to quit your job cause you might get screwed, but most places have policies for raises, and you could just go up to your boss or something and joke about making a little money and maybe if the mood is right bring something up.

 

[goshdarnindie]

You have to do it in person. I don't know the best way though, my boss has always just done it, except not in the past two years... hmmm.... maybe I should talk to him.

 

[Tauren]

On your knees.

 

[StageLeft]

You could start by asking your boss instead of us. Although we'd like to give you one your boss can probably help you out more

 

[daveman]

Do it in person. Timing is everything make sure he is in a great mood.
good luck

 

[slipperyslope]

If your boss every says something good about something you do then wait til he/she says something good then just bring up the idea that a raise would be nice for your good work.

Jim

 

[kami]

Just walk up to him and say that you think you deserve a raise (maybe give a couple quick reasons...i.e. you work hard, been working there for a year, etc.). I would ask for something more...maybe $12. What type of place do you work at?

 

[BDawg]

Tell him you need the raise so you can support his newly impregnated daughter.

 

[trmiv]

You just have to ask, but make sure when you do, you have a good agrument for why you should make what you want to make. Who knows, your boss may agree and give you 10.00 without much debate, or he may try to haggle with you like my boss did. In any case, be ready to present your side, and possibly walk if it comes to that.

I was making a measly 11.50 at my job, and I just went in and asked my boss for a raise. Well, he turned it into an "employee evaluation" with this self evaluation worksheet I had to fill out (if you knew how small this company is, you would know how ridiculous that is). Then after he did the evaluation, he offered me $14.00 an hour with "the opportunity to go to $15.00." I told him I wanted $16.00, period. I then explained to him why I felt I deserved that money, and since he's not going to get anyone else, we debated back and forth for awhile, but he eventually decided to give me the $16.00. Too bad some things came up during that meeting that really pissed me off. Even though I'm happy with the money now, I'm even less happy with my job and the environment.

 

[ratkil]

in the immortal words of some other member of this board (name escapes me at this moment) "'sup biatch, raise?"

 

[tallest1]

Go to your boss with charts that detail how much money the company made/saved thanks to you and then say that if you did the same thing for company X, you'd get paid much more.

 

[Spook]

Go find another job, that pays more. Then go into your boss, and say 'I'm outta here if you don't match this other job offer'....

Be prepared to leave...

 

[Emulex]

ask for a review.

If you go find a new job, be prepared to take it, its not good in the eyes of management to play them like that. If someone came to me saying this other place is going to pay me more, i'd be like, looks like you've been looking to go, have a nice day!

 

[Spook]

I'm sorry, that wasn't good advise...

I was just kidding...

 

[trmiv]

<< I'm sorry, that wasn't good advise...

I was just kidding... >>



Actually it's great advice. If he finds another job that pays more, he's just solved his problem of wanting more money.

 

[cchen]

Well I work on Friday nights, and all of Saturday and Sunday, all the times that he's not there, which is one reason for the raise
I work at a car dealership, so I do most of the tech support for their computers
Isn't $12 a bit steep to ask for? Or does everyone think that it's ok?

 

[kaiotes]

print out this thread, then go in front of your boss and beg for a raise

 

[StageLeft]

You do tech support and you have been there a year and you think $12 is too much?

Unless you're an illegal alien or a 16 year old or something NO that is NOT nearly too much! Tell his cheap ass to find somebody else who can do it...actually don't d othat, because finding another job right now sucks but you can say that although you love working there you think you're worth more and you'd like to be more in line with what others in the industry receive. Don't threaten though because if your position isn't strong it looks bad.

 

[cchen]

I'm 17... also another reason is that I work those hours.. spending my weekend there...

How can I make my argument? 8.50 to 12 is a lot...

 

[trmiv]

<< Tell his cheap ass to find somebody else who can do it... >>



That's what I was going to tell my boss if he didn't give me more money (and I still think I should make more). I do phone and onsite tech support, customer onsite installs of our product (which one time included flying to Ohio, in the middle of the school year), support our company's network, manage our network's backup, build our program's installer with InstallShield, update the company webpage, and run around and do stupid crap my boss won't do. I felt I was pretty justified in asking for 16.00, because in addition to all that, we don't get offered benefits or paid days off.

 

[Scrapster]

I've got a question for everyone.

Do people usually have to ask for raises or is it your boss's job to bring it up? I have never asked for a raise in 5 years of work (I've had 4 jobs in 5 years). But I consistently got a raise like every 6 months. I never brought it up but I always thought it was great they were giving it to me.

So I guess I'm asking...Is it your responsibility or your boss's responsibility to mention about raises?

 

[trmiv]

<< I've got a question for everyone.

Do people usually have to ask for raises or is it your boss's job to bring it up? I have never asked for a raise in 5 years of work (I've had 4 jobs in 5 years). But I consistently got a raise like every 6 months. I never brought it up but I always thought it was great they were giving it to me.

So I guess I'm asking...Is it your responsibility or your boss's responsibility to mention about raises? >>



I think in any decent sized company, it is the company's responsibility to setup regular employee reviews on a yearly or semi-yearly basis. It is then of course, the manager's job to follow that policy.

 

[Thegonagle]

Definitely ask for a raise. A car dealership isn't going to give away money for nothing. Ask for $12, and be prepared to haggle. That's what they do. Be prepared with numbers. If they didn't have you, how much would they pay for third party tech support? What else do you do for them that makes you worth the money? Tell him. Be strong. I'm sure you'll get something from this, as long as they like you (politics and crap.)

 

[NivekC4]

Definately do it in person. Go in on one of your off days if you have to. Like people have mentioned before, he may be willing to do it without much debate, but be ready to present the facts.

Tell him what you bring to the table. Tell him you've been a loyal worker for them for the past year.

I assume this job is not a dummy job (i.e. sacker at Albertson's) so it would take a bit of skill and training. Don't be ashamed to ask for the raise...I believe a year is long enough to where you have shown them what you can do, and they should reward you.

Don't get angry if he is hesitant, just keep your self cool and composed. The last thing you would want to do is get fired or have to leave because you cannot get along with your boss.

Be confident

-Kevin