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How to Ask for a Paycheck

I get paid on Fridays. Since, technically, I didn’t work on Thursday or Friday, I can’t just ask for a pay increase, can I? Well, before you answer that, let me tell you a bit about my employer. I work for a company that provides IT services to small businesses. There are a lot of perks, but the most significant one is that they give me freedom and respect. Basically, they allow me to be me. Now, I know what you’re thinking, and you’re right, I most definitely could have asked for more money. However, even though I could make a legitimate argument for an increase, I would rather not do that. For one, it’s fairly easy to find another job, and two, I believe that respect is more important than money. So, in that case, how can I ask for a pay increase?

Here’s how:

Step one: Identify The Issues

One of the things I like most about my job is that I get to identify and address employee issues. Sometimes, that means taking up arms with a department head, other times, it means taking up arms with a coworker. Regardless, I like knowing that I’m helping to create an environment where everyone can feel comfortable speaking their mind. This helps me to identify potential problems before they become problems. In this case, I’m pretty sure that my employer sees value in my identifying these issues before they do.

For example, I recently caught a coworker messing with another employee’s Twitter account. When I brought this to the attention of my manager, he said that he didn’t agree with what this person was doing, but he didn’t want to get in the way of me addressing this issue.

So, in this situation, I would definitely say that my employer appreciates the fact that I went above and beyond by bringing this to their attention. It also shows that I take seriously the responsibility of protecting the team from issues. This is why, when they give me a problem, I immediately jump in to help. Identifying and solving these types of problems is what makes me feel like I’m making a difference.

Step two: Create A Timeline

In order to get the most out of my monthly reviews, I like to create a timeline of the major events that happened during the previous month. This helps me to see the bigger picture, and it also helps me to identify any recurring issues. In the upcoming months, I can use this timeline to track the status of these issues and determine if any have gone unresolved. This is something that creates accountability, especially since my manager is the only person who knows about this timeline. He’s also the only person who will ever see it.

Step three: Make Your Case

Now that you have your timeline set, it’s time to put it into a solid case. The first step is to state your case clearly and concisely. In the example above, I stated that I didn’t agree with what this person was doing, and I also brought it to the attention of my manager. This is an easy way to say, “Hey, I think that this person is bothering Aisha, and I want to speak with your manager about it.”

The second step is to back up your claims with facts and figures. I, in this case, cited that this person was “messing with” Aisha’s Twitter account and also stated that I caught them doing it. Simply saying that you feel like this person isn’t pulling their weight is one thing, but being able to cite specific examples is another.

The last step is to ask for what you want. In this case, I would like my manager to talk to this person and tell them to stop messing with Aisha’s Twitter account. Basically, I’m asking for them to be a good coworker and respect Aisha enough not to do this type of thing. This step allows others to see that you’re not coming off too aggressively and gives you the opportunity to walk them through your reasoning. Ideally, you want to end the conversation with your manager thinking that you’ve accomplished something and that they have the issue resolved.

Hopefully, this was a helpful guide on how to ask for a pay increase. By following these 3 steps, you can easily put together a solid case, and your manager will be more inclined to listen. Also, make sure that you’re constantly measuring the results of your efforts. In the example above, I like to track how many times I’m able to successfully identify and solve issues. Doing this allows me to see how much confidence my manager has in me, and it also allows me to continue developing my skills and proving to them that I’m making an impact.