A Journey Toward Financial Literacy: Navigating the Awkwardness of Asking for a Raise

By Ellen Vinde

I've been out of university for a year now. My previous roles include front-of-house positions, waitressing, and assisting directing in theatres – not exactly the direct way to a managerial or senior role. But you don’t need to be senior to deserve a pay rise. Being 30, I can’t help but feel like it's a little too late to consider an internship or a graduate job. Uncertainty looms, but I'm determined to find answers. To this end, I've sought advice from all the bosses I know to ask: what should you be paid and how are you supposed to ask for it?

Finding The Job

Before we get into the nitty gritty, I wanted to include a quick note about actually getting the job you’ll be asking for a raise in. For anyone who is unsure about which job applications to fill out and worried about not matching all of the criteria for certain positions, remember that men apply for any job no matter how qualified they are and women only apply if they meet 100% of the criteria. Next time you get discouraged about a job position, remember that it is society and the patriarchy that doesn’t want you to apply. Because if you apply, you might get the job and you might expand your voice and platform. So make sure you do apply and do so with pride.

Determining Your Expected Salary

After speaking with someone in recruitment, I learned that you don't actually need to come up with a specific figure when filling out application forms. Instead, it is actually encouraged to suggest a range, like £24,000 to £30,000 per year. This will let the employers know that you are willing to demonstrate your worthiness and earn your way to the higher end of the range while starting at the lower end. Employers love that stuff.

Also, if you're filling out a job application form and you are unsure what to enter in the expected salary field, you can opt to put ‘0’ or ‘N/A’ (not applicable). This indicates that you prefer to discuss salary expectations face-to-face during the interview process. This would leave room for you to hear their expectations first.

How to Approach the Raise Conversation

Next, I wondered what the best way to talk to your boss about a raise would be, so I went to talk to my boss about it. He gave me three rules to follow to help ensure that your extra bag is secured:

1.      Be Confident: Confidence is everything when talking to your boss about anything. They smell fear and will use it against you. Believe in the value you bring to the workplace.

2.      Have an Estimate: Come prepared with a salary range. It is a good idea to look into what other people in your position are making and then add a little so the boss knows you mean business.

3.      Bring Receipts: Bring some concrete evidence of your achievements and the value you’ve added. If you have been heavily involved in successful projects, for example, or had a lot of really good feedback in the past from clients or colleagues, let it be known.

Follow these steps and take courage!

If you feel like you deserve more it is probably because you do, so let the people you’re working for know it. And if you want the dream job but don’t think you’re qualified, apply anyway. If they decline, you ask them why and what you can do to be a candidate worth considering in the future.

Step out of your comfort zone and be annoying. It works.