Asking for a pay rise can be daunting at the best of times, but what time exactly should you shoot your shot? In this blog, we share optimal opportunities to ask for a raise that will give you the best chance of receiving that ‘yes’...
Not during a financial crisis
It goes without saying that if your company is going through some financial turmoil then it’s not exactly wise to ask for a pay rise…Telltale signs that your organisation is doing well include consistent hiring, expansion and working with new clients.
Ahead of the new fiscal year
The UK tax year always starts on April 6 so consider getting your request in beforehand. This will give your boss more time to weigh up budgets etc, giving you a better chance of success.
Performance review
Use your next performance review as an opportunity to open up the topic of a pay rise - that’s if your employer doesn’t beat you to it! However, it is important to read the room in this situation i.e. if there are talks of lack of funding or issues with your performance then it’s best to put the pay rise conversation on pause for now.
When your boss isn’t busy
If your boss is knee-deep in meetings then it’s probably not the best time to ask them for a meeting about your salary. Instead, be savvy with your calendar invite and choose a time when your employer seems to have a gap in their schedule. They’ll be more likely to take in what you’re saying when they’re not thinking about which meeting they need to be at next.
Ask in the morning
Ever heard of the morning morality effect? This study found that people are typically more morally conscious and therefore likely to make more ethical decisions than they would in the afternoon. With this in mind, it may be worth asking for a pay rise in the morning (just make sure your boss has had their morning coffee first!).
We hope you found this blog useful. Good luck with your career progression in 2024! If you need help finding a new challenge, the Pillar team are experts in built environment recruitment and can help you land a role that matches your needs and expertise. Give us a call on 0203 856 4048 today to get started.
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