Looking For a Raise? Don't Be Timid. Ask!

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

What’s the Latest?

Have you ever wanted a raise enough to ask for it? On the surface, that may sound like a silly question. But according to Kate Ashford at Forbes, often the biggest obstacle between a worker and a raise is an unwillingness to be assertive and ask. She cites a pair of different studies that indicate: 1) about 2/3 of employees who ask for a pay raise get it and 2) over 50% of workers don’t ask at all. Those stats are indicative of several interesting social trends related to harbored fears with regard to talking about money.

What’s the Big Idea?

A co-worker who had previously supervised college students working part-time recently told me that 9 in 10 of the young people she interviewed neglected to ask what she felt was a hugely important question: “How much will I be making?” It’s evident there exists a sort of cultural stigma related to discussing personal finance in the workplace. But positioning yourself for success requires shedding those apprehensions. Whether it’s in asking for a raise or negotiating your salary, be bold and be tactful. A diplomatic meeting with your boss may or may not end in an uptick in your pay, but a well-strategized approach can only do you good in the long run.

In her article, Ashford offers suggestions about the timing and tactics of a pay raise request. Give her article (linked below) a read and let us know what you think.