We’ve all been there at some point in our career: adding up how much you contribute at work and wondering whether you’re compensated or paid fairly. Perhaps now is a good time to find out how to ask for a raise wherever you work in Canada. You may deserve a pay increase or a job promotion. Or it may be the right time to look for a new job.A shifting economy makes it challenging for companies to keep pace with compensation trends. For job searchers, it’s difficult to assess the value of their skills in a market where companies are more deliberative in hiring. According to Robert Half Canada’s latest Salary Guide, 92% of hiring managers surveyed say they face challenges finding and attracting skilled talent. This, along with retention concerns, is prompting hiring managers to stay closely attuned to trends in salaries, benefits and perks, and employees’ preference for flexible work arrangements. Now be a good time for you to ask for a raise, while both employers and employees are contemplating salaries.We know asking for a raise can be intimidating. But this could be an opportune time to ask. In today's job market, employers are finding staff retention to be more important than ever.So, how to ask for a raise at work? Here are four ways to boost your confidence and ask:1. Benchmark your salaryTake the time to learn the average salaries for your position and similar accounting roles. Consult the Robert Half Canada Salary Guide to determine the going rates for your job, then localize the numbers to your area using the Salary Calculator. If your compensation is below par, you can use this information as leverage for requesting an increase.While you’re looking at the numbers, you might want to consider whether your company is in the position to offer you a bump in pay. Has it landed a deal recently or realized an upswing in revenue? Or has it just undergone budget cuts or layoffs? If that’s the case, rather than compensation, you might build a case for increased responsibility, which could help you later when the company is on firmer financial ground.2. Quantify your achievementsYou know you’ve been doing a good job: You may have used Excel to create those excellent month-end reports or introduced accounts payable alerts for the team or you could have finished a RFP that led to a business win. But what does that mean to your employer? When planning how to ask for a raise, document the bottom-line benefits you’ve brought to the company. Quantifying your actions is a huge asset when building an argument for a raise. It leaves less room for an employer to challenge when you can prove your contributions to the business.Then, instead of pointing to your actions (“I used Excel to update our month-end closing procedure”), make clear their precise benefits (“I cut 20 hours from our month-end closing by …”). Think in terms of quantifiable time or cost savings, for example. Say things like, “I saved the company $54,000 this year by creating automatic AP alerts to get checks out for early payment discounts.” Or “I reduced our payroll processing time by 12 hours per week by automating our ADP reports.”3. Practice your approachRole-play with a friend. Practice answering questions about the standard salary figures you’ve researched, the hours and dollars you’ve saved the company, and, perhaps, how you’ve helped improve productivity in the workplace. In a pinch, a mirror can offer honest feedback on your body language, posture and eye contact. Make sure your confidence shows. If you don’t believe you deserve a raise, why should your boss?Learn how to answer salary expectation questions during job interviews here4. Have a fallback positionMaybe you’ve taken all the right steps before you walked in to ask for a raise, but your boss still turns you down. Don't be afraid to ask for a reason. If your manager isn’t ready to consider a raise, ask what specific actions would be needed to merit one, and set a review date. If tight budgets are the issue, request alternatives, also called employee perks or total compensation packages, that can increase your job satisfaction — such as more vacation time, an increased annual bonus or spot bonus, flexible scheduling, professional development, a new title or an equity stake in the company.Position yourself for a future raise by taking the initiative, discussing your long-term goals with your boss, expanding your skillset, and networking with others to raise your visibility in the company. The next time you have a performance review or a big win, you can ask again. Documenting and continuing the conversation is half the battle when it comes to asking for a raise sometimes. No matter what happens during the process of asking for a raise, remember to be respectful and professional. Remain confident. You may not get what you ask for. But if you know how to ask for a raise and go in prepared, your request will very likely get careful consideration and at the very least, you are making yourself visible for any upcoming opportunities.Want more tips on developing in your career? Visit the Robert Half Insights.
