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Thinking of Asking for a Salary Raise Via Email? Wait a Minute

Salary Raise Via Email

If you have been working for an organization for a good while, and there is no structure or plan for salary raise, but you can tell that from your efforts you deserve one, then this is for you.  However, if your company has policies and structures in place to for salary raise and other benefits, then it is better to meet the requirements instead of trying to talk your way into getting a bigger pay.

Let us see how to ask for a salary raise via email.

Why Use the Email?

A lot of experts believe that it is best to ask for a salary raise through face-to-face meetings with your boss. Although this method is effective, it is also effective to drive your salary raise agenda via email. Email is fast becoming the commonest means of communication between employees and the employers. If this is the case, there is a high chance that your quest for a salary raise will at least be noted and hopefully, receive a favorable response from your employer.

Using email to ask for a salary raise also eliminates that awkwardness that hovers around when having a face-to-face conversation with your boss on the subject matter. Research has shown that a significant number of both employees and employers are uncomfortable discussing salary raise one-on-one. Using an email to ask for a salary raise also gives you the opportunity to send documents that will help you nail your points effectively.  Finally, the email provides an official documentation of your request for a salary raise.

Asking for a Salary Raise: Email Essentials

Start Out Right

When asking for a salary raise via email, do not start out requesting for a salary raise. It will color the essence of your email. Your employer may perceive you as a disgruntled employee seeking for an undeserved pay rise. Therefore, start by mentioning how you have enjoyed your work and how delighted you are to be an employee in the company. Note a couple roles you had undertaken in order to add value to the company.

Be Reasonable in Asking for a Salary Raise

There is no point asking your boss to pay you what the company cannot afford or request for an amount that would eventually drive the company to bankruptcy if your employer obliges you.  Even if the company can afford the requested salary raise, is such a raise reasonable, that is, does the value you add to the company measure up to your demand? Are you qualified for the raise? These must be duly answered in your mind, with hard facts, before you go ahead to attempt any talk for a salary raise.

Get Facts for Your Salary Raise

To answer the questions you asked yourself, that is, if you are qualified for a salary raise, you will need hard facts and figures. To obtain these, conduct detailed research on the salaries of people with your position, work experience, and success track in other companies within the same industry. Also have records of your achievements in the company, vis-à-vis, the values you have added to the company since you started working there. It is a good idea to put down your accomplishments as they happen so that the records can come in handy when asking for salary raise or promotion.

Make Clear Points for a Salary Raise

When writing your email for salary raise, organize your points and your accomplishments within the company – how you have helped to achieve the company’s set goals and areas that you are a strong influence of growth within the establishment. Your facts should be clearly stated. Here, you are making your case for a salary raise. You are like a lawyer using evidence to make your case to the judge or jury. Remember to mention skills, certifications and/or professional development units you have acquired that qualify you for a salary raise. Do not spare any information that would score a point for you. If necessary attach relevant documents to your email as evidence.

Be Specific when Asking for a Salary Raise

From the research you conducted, and in view of your accomplishments, get a specific salary range that you believe you should be earning. Vagueness or ambiguity in your request for a salary raise will mean that you do not know what you are doing. It will make you look irresponsible and foolish, and this is the last thing you want to do. It is very important that you know exactly how much you are worth and if the company can pay you this amount. Therefore, get a range that will balance these facts.

Negotiate for, not Argue for a Salary Raise

When your boss replies your email with facts that counter your points, there is no need to panic or get upset. Simply counter his or her points as well with more points. However, this must be done with tact so that you do not appear to be saying that your boss does not know what he or she is doing. Also, know when to surrender. When the facts you had gathered have loopholes and your boss detects them and use them against your points, you should know it is time to quit and try another day.

Be Formal in Asking for a Salary Raise

Let your emails remain formal and polite when negotiating for a salary raise via email. There may be times that you would feel frustrated with the position of your boss and/or the company regarding the raise. This should not make you go overboard and be impolite or threaten to resign. Patiently and politely make your case.

Request for a Face-to-Face

Though we have advocated for negotiation via email in this article, it is important to recognize that in order to close this negotiation, a face-to-face meeting is important. This is basically to finalize or conclude your email negotiation. All your relevant points would have been made clear in your emails, therefore, you are meeting to have a final word. In fixing this meeting, you would have to give your boss time to think. He needs to reconcile your request with the company policies, finances and budgets, the opinion of the board and the effect on other employees.

When it is a NO!

If the final answer is a no, there is no need to be upset. Your boss would have had strong reasons for turning down your request if you truly deserve a raise in salary. He or she would be aware that there is a risk of losing you, an essential asset to the company. Be patient and consider making another request in the future citing this earlier one as a reference. A second request after a considerable waiting period can increase your chance of having your wish granted.

Sample Email 1: Asking for a Salary Raise Via Email

Dear Sir,

Thank you for giving me the privilege to be a part Onyx Incorporated. Since joining four years ago, I have enjoyed working here and I hope to remain in the company in the foreseeable future.

I am delighted with the company’s success in our new smartphone market. As the head of the marketing department, I developed the strategy that led to this success.

In just under one year, I pioneered three successful smartphone launches and ensured we dominated the market.

Nine months ago, I got my certification in project management. The skills I acquired from this training have already started producing results including those mentioned earlier.  

I have attached the official company reports detailing my contribution to the success recorded this year and last, and a copy of my latest certification.

In the light of these, I wish to request for a salary raise commensurate with what is obtainable within the industry. Based on my research, personnel with my position and accomplishments earn between 20% and 35% higher than my current salary.

I appreciate the opportunity to be of value to the company, it is my wish to do more.

Please kindly give my request a favorable consideration.

Thank you.

 

Yours sincerely,

Joseph Burns

Head of Marketing, Onyx Incorporated

joeburns@onyxinc.com

404-634-7999

 

Sample Email 2: Asking for a Salary Raise Via Email

Dear Madam,

I am an employee of your prestigious company, Swan Technologies. I have been working here as the IT Manager for the past three years. It has been a great delight working for you. I have become an integral part of the company over the years.

About a year ago, I developed an online platform known as the octopus; I believe you are familiar with it. This platform has led to the company gaining major clients including the government of Sri Lanka, with whom we have very profitable deals.

I also upgraded the company’s main server to accommodate the increased demand from the new clients and future expansion.

Since my employment, I have not had any form of salary raise despite by input on the company’s growth and success. IT Managers with my level of performance within the industry earn 25% to 40% higher than me.

I believe it is fair at this time to request for salary raise. This will be beneficial to both me and the company. It will serve as an encouragement for the efforts I have put in, and a motivation to do more for the company.

I have attached relevant official documents to back up my claims above.

Thank you again for the privilege to be a part of Swan Technologies.

 

Yours Sincerely,

Sylva Slims

IT Manager, Swan Technologies

sylvaslims@swantech.com

808-585-0600

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