How to re-negotiate your pay in today's workplace

It is possibly the most awkward conversation to have with your employer – but does it need to be? Looking at your strengths and past achievements are the first steps in negotiating a pay rise at your next review.

Here we look at some tips to help you navigate the conversation, and ask for that all important wage rise.

Know the wage benchmarks for your role in your industry

The first step to preparing to have a remuneration meeting with your manager is to know, not only what you are worth, but what others in your role are usually paid. 

If you work in the not-for-profit sector, the Pro Bono Salary Survey can help you with this. Now in its 10th year, the survey specialises in this data and you can either purchase the entire report or smaller reports pertaining to your specific area of work.

Once you know the average salary for your position, or even the higher end of it, you will know how far you can negotiate without being seen to ask for too much. You may even surprise yourself. Perhaps there is potential to earn far more than you are currently on.

List your past achievements, and date them

When preparing to schedule your meeting, sit down with a pen and paper and think about any achievements you can remember and write them down. Figure out which year and month they occurred in so you can reference them with confidence. Dates and statistics are always impressive.

Did you raise social media clicks by 30 per cent in a short period of time? When, for which organisation and over what period?

Did you raise sales by an impressive percentage mark? Find that data, and write down the project or client. The more detailed the better.

Practice a mock meeting with a friend to familiarise yourself with the process

Sit down with a partner or friend and rehearse outlining your achievements in a mock meeting scenario.

This is a well-known technique for job interviews as it sets a benchmark to build from and lowers anxiety around meetings in general.

Email your manager and request a salary re-negotiation meeting

You are prepared, you have your data and you have rehearsed, now is time to set up the meeting.

A friendly email is the perfect way to field how interested your manager is in having the meeting.

If they ask for suggested time to meet – this is a great sign.

What if your manager/superior is not interested at all?

If there is no budget for an increase, or your superior simply shuts down the conversation, then suggest a wage review just before the end of the financial year, (to be considered in the budget).

You can also ask for a payment review in six months time as this is quite standard practice. 

Whatever role you are in, or where you are headed in your career, remember your past achievements and realise your value.

You can win that wage and build the life you want.