Conversations about increasing your monthly compensation for completed work tasks are among the most uncomfortable situations in professional life. Not because we do not deserve it, but because many people do not know how to express their request properly. The truth is that a raise is not a gift, but recognition of value, growth, and responsibility. That is why it is important to enter such conversations prepared and calm.
Choose the Right Moment
Timing is essential. It is best to make your request when you have a concrete result behind you: a successfully completed project, improved efficiency, satisfied clients, or newly assumed responsibilities. Ask for the conversation during a period when the company is operating steadily and is not facing a crisis. At that point, your request sounds most reasonable and has real chances of being approved.
Prepare Facts, Not Just Justifications
Salary does not increase simply because someone wants it, but based on specific achievements and contributions. That is why you should sit down and write out all the relevant data:
• what you have accomplished,
• what you have improved,
• what additional responsibilities you have taken on,
• how that has affected the team or the results.
The more specific you are, the stronger your position will be in achieving this goal.
Speak Calmly and Professionally
Communicate without emotions. Never compare yourself to colleagues, do not use dramatic phrases, and do not mention private reasons. Focus on what you have done and what you can continue to achieve.
Offer a Vision for the Future
Your superiors want to hear that you are not only asking for higher pay, but that you see yourself as someone who will continue contributing even more in the future.
Be Clear in Your Request
Do not leave your manager or the HR representative guessing what you want. Have a specific amount or percentage planned in advance, of course within realistic market standards. Precision shows maturity and creates the impression that you truly deserve what you are asking for.
Be Prepared for “Not at This Moment”
Sometimes you will not receive an immediate positive answer. That does not mean you do not deserve a raise, but that the system has its own steps and timing.
In such situations, the most mature approach is to ask what results you would need to achieve for the topic to be reopened. This demonstrates professionalism, not disappointment.
Agree on a Time Frame
If the answer is “later,” insist on a specific date when you could talk about the raise again. This brings clarity, transparency, and shows that you believe in your own value.
A salary raise should not be requested under pressure, but with arguments, a calm tone, clear results, and mature communication. True value is best recognized when you know how to present it calmly and professionally.