With the cost of living crises hitting household budgets as energy and food prices increase, asking for a pay rise is fast becoming a leading concern for employees who feel that their efforts are worthy of an increased salary.

Asking for a pay rise can be a nerve wracking experience, but if you can back up your request with evidence that an increase is well deserved then you’ll significantly boost your chances of seeing a little extra in your monthly pay packet.

Here’s our top tips on asking for a pay rise – and getting it.

Give a good reason

Asking for a pay rise just because you think that Jack from the same department earns more money than you isn’t going to get you very far. Although employers are being asked to provide evidence that they are working towards fair pay for employees with similar roles, you can’t always be 100% certain that the person you’re comparing your salary with doesn’t have more experience or isn’t elaborating on the amount they earn.

Good reasons for requesting a pay increase include completion of qualifications and training, the fact that your role might have grown to include more tasks or a greater workload or that you’ve had significant input into recent projects that have helped the company win new business or increase productivity.

Back it up

Most of the time, many managers are focused upon the team delivering targets as a whole and don’t always notice the successes of the individual. By drawing their attention to your achievements and how you have helped the business succeed over a prolonged period, you’ll stand a much better chance of them recognising your hard work and rewarding it with a pay rise.

Gather together as much evidence as you can to back up these successes and be ready to present them as soon as you get an opportunity to sit down and discuss the prospect of a pay rise with your manager.

Don’t be disheartened

Finally, if your request for a pay increase is rejected, then instead of letting your disappointment show then ask your manager what can be done in order for you to move up the salary scale. If your serious about improving your earning potential, then listen carefully to their advice and put in place an action plan and follow it through.

That way you’ll have plenty of ammunition the next time you come to ask for a pay rise.