Cost of living: Experts share five tips for asking for a pay rise

If you feel like you’re not being paid enough, you’re probably not alone.

While average wages have risen, they have not kept pace with the rising cost of living, meaning many people are finding it harder to make ends meet.

In recent months there have been waves of strikes, with tens of thousands of workers leaving the country over wages, jobs and working conditions.

Many of these strikes take place in the public sector, where workers often do not have the power to bargain individually.

And whether you work in the public or private sector, even if you do have a conversation with your manager, there is no guarantee it will result in a raise.

However, there are ways to give yourself the best chance of success.

We spoke to recruiters, a manager, and a work psychologist for five tips on how best to negotiate for more money.

According to Jill Cotton, a career trends expert at jobs site Glassdoor, when you schedule an interview in advance, you and your manager have time to prepare and you’re more likely to have a productive conversation.

“Don’t blame your manager,” Ms. Cotton says. “Be open and say you want to book in a conversation that’s specifically about payment.”

Rowsonara Begum, who helps her brother run Saffron Indian Takeaway in Salisbury, says it has to be the right timing for the business too.

The snack bar has five employees and occasionally hires additional employees during busy periods.

She says if workers pick a time when business is good, they have the best chance of successfully negotiating more money.

If you’re asking for a raise, you should have plenty of evidence as to why you deserve one.

“Do you know what you have either achieved in a work environment or what you have done to develop yourself, maybe to support your team, support your bosses. List all the benefits of what you did,” says Shan Saba, a director at Glasgow-based recruitment firm Brightwork.

According to Stephanie Davies, an industrial psychologist, this evidence also helps your manager rationalize why you should be paid more.

“The brain needs a ‘why’ – why should I pay you that amount?” She says.

However, it’s not just about bringing a list of all the things you’ve done. You should also be clear about what you want to do next, says Mr. Saba.

“If you are striving to move up the ranks in your organization, you should have a plan for what you want to do in the coming year.”

When asking your boss for more money, it helps if you have confidence and know your worth.

Ms. Begum notices this from her experiences with these discussions with the employees.

“Here in Salisbury it’s quite difficult to get the staff we need,” she says.

“It has also become more difficult to recruit from overseas. So workers have bargaining power because they know there is a shortage.”

People often don’t feel safe because there’s a “stigma” to talking about pay, says Glassdoor’s Jill Cotton, but it’s “an important part of the job.”

Psychologist Stephanie Davies adds that women and people from minorities often find it particularly difficult to ask for more.

She advises them to ask for a mentor or role model who can guide them through these conversations.

Most experts agree that it’s best to have an exact number in mind before engaging in a pay conversation.

Do your research, advises James Reed, chairman of executive search firm Reed.

“You can go online and look at job ads and see what other similar jobs are being recruited for and what the salaries are,” he says.

Ms Cotton warns that the figure should be realistic.

“We would all like to make millions of pounds every year. But we’re paid to fill a role with the skills we have,” she says.

If the above steps don’t result in a raise, don’t be discouraged.

“Sometimes these conversations can last a while, even months, but it’s important to keep the communication open,” says Ms. Begum.

Pay isn’t the be-all and end-all either, says Mr. Reed.

“It’s not necessarily just about the money. You may be able to get more vacation time or more flexibility in working hours,” he says, adding that you could also negotiate additional training and development.

And if you feel like you’re not getting what you want from your employer, remember there are other options.

“You can always look elsewhere, that’s the really big lesson,” says Ms. Davies.