Let’s be real — asking for a better salary is awkward. Your palms get sweaty, your voice trembles just a bit, and you second-guess yourself about twenty times before you even send that “Can we talk?” message to your manager. Been there.
But here’s something I’ve learned the hard way: if you don’t know this one thing, don’t even bother asking. Seriously. Don’t do it.
💡 So what is this one thing?
It’s simple. You have to know your value. And no, I don’t mean the vague “I work hard” or “I’ve been here for a while” kind of value. I mean real, measurable, business-related value — the kind that makes your company say, “We need to keep this person.”
A couple of years ago, I asked for a raise (yes, I said the word). I had been working late, hitting deadlines, being the 'go-to' person. I thought I had it in the bag. But my manager said, "You’re doing your job. What else?" That moment stung — but looking back, he had a point.
🎯 It's not just hard work. It's impact.
Did you help increase revenue? Save time or money? Bring in new customers? Improve a process? That’s what they care about. Not that you stayed late or answered emails at midnight (although, I’ve done that too).
📋 What you really need before asking:
- 🧾 Keep receipts. Save compliments, wins, and anything that shows your impact.
- 🎯 Link your work to results. What did the company gain because of you?
- 📊 Know the market. What are others earning in your role, in your region?
- ⏰ Don’t wait for review time. Budget decisions happen earlier than you think.
- 🗣️ Practice your pitch. Literally. Out loud. It helps.
🗣️ Communicate Better — It Matters
Here’s something else that’s often overlooked: your communication. Even if you’re great at your job, if you can’t express your value clearly, it’s easy to get passed over. This is especially true if English isn’t your first language.
That’s why I recommend practicing real-world English conversations. And one great place to start is SpeakItGo — a free website with over 1000 simple English dialogues. It’s made for beginners, with real-life topics like school, shopping, and yes, even workplace conversations.
🙅♀️ What if they still say no?
Sometimes, even when you do everything right, the answer will still be no. That doesn’t always mean you’re not valuable — maybe the timing’s off, or the company’s tight on budget. If that happens, ask, "What would it take to get a yes next time?"
And if the answer isn’t clear — maybe it’s time to consider if you're in the right place. Your skills matter. Your growth matters too.
🚀 Final Thought
Don’t let fear or doubt stop you from asking for what you deserve — but don’t walk in unprepared either. Know your value. Show your value. And practice expressing it with confidence.
And hey, if you want to work on your English along the way, go check out www.speakitgo.com. No sign-up, no stress — just real English, real conversations, real results.
You've got this. 💼✨