©2024 Lindy - All Rights Reserved.
Knowing how to ask for a raise via email is a skill that can alter both your career and life path — and that’s not an exaggeration.
Trust us, crafting a compelling email to request a salary increase is not something you can do willy-nilly. It demands finesse, strategy, and a clear articulation of what you bring to the table.
To that end, this guide will equip you with the necessary tools and insights to effectively navigate the sometimes-petrifying process of asking for a raise via email.
We’ll provide step-by-step strategies to help you carefully craft an impactful email and confidently state your case.
We’ll cover topics such as:
Let’s get started!
Half the battle here is timing. A few things to keep in mind to maximize your chances.
Let’s take a look:
This probably comes as no surprise, but business owners want to retain valuable employees, especially when the market indicates higher salaries for certain skill sets.
So, keep your finger on the pulse of industry trends and market rates to use this momentum in your favor. Time it right, and you’ll succeed.
Are you consistently rocking project milestones and performing at or even above what’s expected of you? Then that will certainly reinforce your value proposition come time to ask for a raise.
Remind them of that award-winning project you led, the one with your name plastered all over it! Take ownership, and go wild!
While conventional wisdom would be against show-offs, there’s ample research that disproves that claim. Intelligent self-promoters get ahead.
So, don’t be afraid to strike while the iron is hot, which is after a big milestone.
Sometimes the going gets tough, and not because cash reserves are dwindling. There are many less apocalyptic occasions where high-value employees walk away or have to be let go.
This is a good moment to remind your employer that you can take on the extra workload or new responsibilities, which is worth a bump in your paycheck — especially if they’re eager to patch the leak, or if a major project is on the horizon. This is a time when employers will be particularly receptive.
Did you get straight As on your last performance reviews? Then it might just be a good time to fire off that email.
Of course, this depends on the frequency of your company’s employee reviews, but common sense dictates that the middle and end of the year are the most appropriate times to make your case.
Sometimes, the time just isn’t right, and you’ll have to patiently wait for better times.
These three factors will significantly disrupt (or outright destroy) your chances of receiving a positive response:
Contemplating the exact figures to ask for a raise via email is enough to induce vertigo. If you ask us, it's only common sense to keep several key factors in mind.
First, begin by researching market rates for your role and level of expertise within your industry or geographic location.
This is when websites such as Glassdoor, Payscale or OpenComp have super valuable insights into standard salary ranges and averages. Keep in mind that these are not sacrosanct, though — and there’s always room for error — especially if you’re in a newer industry.
As for increases, try to aim for a % increase rather than a specific dollar amount — typically falling between 5% to 20%. But remember that yes — this will be subject to market rates, your performance, workload, inflation, cost of living, and more.
All in all, it’s good to remember that the higher your market value and salary, the higher your net increase will be. Asking for an extra $1,000 is not the same if you make $1k / mo rather than $10k / mo.
It’s crucial to familiarize yourself with any in-house or structured grading systems established by your company, especially if they dictate salary ranges for various positions. These systems make it easier to justify a raise within the range, but almost impossible to obtain a raise outside of the range unless you’re an A+ player in a tough market.
Not so fast! Before you fire off your email, go through this checklist:
Now, it’s just a matter of presenting this in your email to provide a structured argument.
Your boss declining your request is a real possibility, and it may not even be because you’ve been underperforming.
The first thing to remember is: don’t overreact or kick up a fuss! Taking this kind of situation personally is either a one-way ticket to Pink Slip City or a surefire way to lose face permanently.
For example, your boss may feel that they’re paying you enough for the job you do, or the company may have fallen on hard times. The business may also be in a transitional period, making new hires, or restructuring due to new clients.
Sometimes, you just have to take the L and wait for a new shot. But, sometimes, you can also offer counter-proposals that still get you a less visible — but very real — increase in spending power.
For instance:
Work in an industry like sales? Performance-based improvements are highly motivating.
There are several ways to go about asking for that raise. One is to go it alone using one of the templates we’ll provide below and trying your luck.
The other? Asking Lindy to do it for you.
Lindy is our cutting-edge AI assistant, able to impeccably tackle an enormous variety of tasks, and improve with each iteration. And it turns out that drafting raise-request emails is one of the many things that Lindy excels at.
To get Lindy’s help, just click here to sign up (it’s free) and install our raise-requesting Lindy.
Once you’ve signed up, Lindy will help you get that raise by immediately creating an email that’s:
Lindy will check back. A few days later, Lindy will ping you to ask how the conversation went. If things don’t go according to plan, it will help you strategize on next steps.
Decided to do it yourself? We’ve taken the liberty of cooking up three templates (courtesy of Lindy) to help you maximize your chances for success.
Subject: "Request for Salary Review: [Your name goes here]"
Dear [Boss’ name],
I hope you’re doing great!
During my time here, I’ve enjoyed contributing to [company name]'s growth and success. During this time, I've also observed the evolving market trends and realized that there's a growing demand for [specific skills or expertise] in our industry.
I've consistently strived to align my contributions with the company's objectives and have taken on added responsibilities in [mention specific areas].
After conducting comprehensive research on industry standards and considering the current market rates for professionals in a similar role, I believe it's the right time to discuss my compensation.
Given my responsibilities and the current upward shift in market trends, I propose a [specific % or amount] increase in my salary.
I'm committed to contributing further to our company’s success and am open to discussing this proposal further at your earliest convenience. Your guidance and insights on this proposal are highly valued!
As always, thank you for your time and consideration!
Warm regards, and gratitude,
[Your name]
Chat with Lindy and get a 100% tailor-made template in seconds.
Subject line: "Salary review request: [Your name goes here]"
Dear [Boss’ name],
I trust you're doing well.
I wanted to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the support and opportunities I've had at [company name].
Over the past [time period], I've prided myself on achieving [specific accomplishments or milestones] and consistently aimed at exceeding any and all performance expectations.
I'm proud of my growth and the results I’ve achieved for the company, including [quantifiable outcomes].
Considering these achievements —and my continued commitment to driving excellence, I'd like to discuss a potential adjustment to my compensation.
Based on my performance and value-add to the team, I would like to propose a [specific percentage or amount] increase in my salary.
I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter, and am open to scheduling a meeting to discuss the matter in depth.
As always, thank you for your time and consideration!
Best regards,
[Your name]
Chat with Lindy and get a 100% tailor-made template in seconds.
Subject line: "Salary increase request: [your name]"
Dear [Boss’ name]
I hope you’re doing well!
I wanted to initiate a conversation about my compensation at [company name].
I've thoroughly enjoyed being part of this team and have been dedicated to my role, consistently reaching for the stars and thriving for excellence.
As you know, I've recently taken on additional responsibilities in [specific areas] and have consistently delivered results, including [mention specific achievements].
In light of these contributions and my commitment to the company's objectives, I believe this is the appropriate time to discuss a raise.
My proposal is a [specific percentage or amount] performance-based increase in my salary, due to the added value I bring to the team.
I would enjoy the opportunity to discuss this matter further at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for making time for my request, and I’m looking forward to our conversation.
Best,
[Your name]
Chat with Lindy and get a 100% tailor-made template in seconds.
As you can see, learning how to ask for a raise via email doesn’t have to be a painstaking, confrontational process.
But, it will require you to demonstrably share your contributions, as well as factor in a host of other micro and macro considerations, before you hit “Send.”
It’s not just a matter of wanting, but of carefully weighing your contributions, where the company stands, broader economics, and other items against each other.
But remember: if the process gets too overwhelming, there’s always help. Whether you choose to let Lindy take a load off your back (and thoroughly research your case), or use one of these templates, we’re sure you’ll make your case convincingly!
