#2 How to NOT Ask For a Pay Rise…
Assuming that you have read our previous article entitled “No salary increase for a while? Here’s why…”, let’s go through what you should NOT do when asking for a pay rise…
If you have read the previous article, let’s assume that you are achieving more for the company that what you are paid for. Simply put, this is done by going above and beyond your job duties and objectives by achieving higher results that the ones you were expected to. If that’s the case, congratulations!
If you have a look online, many blogs or forums talk about the need to get another employment offer first and then approach your employer by saying:
“Look Steve, I received an offer, substantially higher, I really want to stay working with you, but I really need the money, is there any chance you can offer me the same salary?”
Here’s why I would not advise this approach:
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The employer feels cornered and that’s a win-lose situation for him, an ultimatum and a threat. In plain English, he could perceive it as a blackmail… Because it means that either he pays you more or he takes the risk to hire someone else and try his best to cover the gap you would leave in the meantime. Even if you get the raise, the experience won’t be forgotten easily and subsequent opportunities for growth could be tarnished by this approach.
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This could tarnish the trust he has in your loyalty. Trust is everything. When he realises that you have applied behind your employer’s back without raising any issues with him before… he might never look at you the same way. Similarly, you would hate it if your employer is secretly interviewing people to replace you without letting you know he is unhappy with your work, that’s the same feeling from his side… Trust is broken…
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If you manage to get the raise with this approach and then reject the job offer you got from the company that made you an employment offer, you will create upset and tarnish your reputation on the job market… (a simple LinkedIn search will reveal that). Notes can be left on recruitment databases for other recruiters to avoid contacting you as well… no one likes to be used…
This is why we do not agree with most of these articles online preaching that before asking for a pay rise, you should find a new job to gain an advantage over your current employer when negotiating for a raise.