A pay rise might seem like the Holy Grail in today's world, but if you’ve been putting in the hours and hard work, it’s not impossible. Here’s some expert advice on how to prepare to ask for one... and seal the deal.

Could it be you’re being paid the going rate already?  "Check market rates for similar roles in comparable companies. How competitive is your current rate of pay and how realistic are your expectations?" says Alan Andrews at Kis Finance. Sites such as Glassdoor have salary figures for many jobs that have been submitted by actual employees. And make sure you check the company is in good financial health – sadly in the current situation many firms are cutting back rather than expanding.

If you decide to go ahead, make sure you’ve done your planning. Experts are unanimous on this. If your boss is open to the idea of discussing it, then you need to have your numbers ready to pitch. John Lees, careers expert and author of How to Get a Job You Love, says: "Consult recruiters, and colleagues to find out the pay range for your job. Then pin down the skills you need to claim the top 10% of that pay range. Remember that it’s probably more expensive for your employer to replace you than to give you a small pay rise."

So how to you go about asking for a pay rise? Timing is everything, say the experts. "Ask to chat when your boss isn’t about to rush off to a meeting. Mornings are usually best as energy levels are higher," says Alan Andrews.

Asking for time with your manager and then springing it on them that the meeting’s about your salary puts them on the spot. Not ideal when you want to talk cash. Instead, clarify that the meeting’s about money. "When you ask for a meeting, don’t talk vaguely about ‘prospects’ – be clear that you want to talk about your contribution to the organisation," says John Lees.

Think of asking for a pay rise like a business proposal, says lawyer Karen Holden, who set up her own firm after negative experiences at work. "Why do you deserve it, how will the company benefit from this and what will you be doing extra to justify this expense?" she says. 

"Talk about what you have added to the role and how you have made a difference," says John Lees. "Working strictly to your job description or only just achieving your objectives is not grounds for a pay increase." Karen Holden adds: "Make sure your pitch is non-threatening and performance-related with obviously the underlying idea that you are doing so well they need to retain your services or there are others out there that would compensate you for your services."

Your employer doesn’t need to know why you might need money, just that you deserve more. John Lees says: "Don’t be tempted to talk about what you ‘need’ financially, or about your financial commitments. Talk about the value you add. Spell out your ‘offer’ first, and then back off. Find out what your employer is prepared to put on the table. Even if your employer asks ‘What did you have in mind?’ it’s worth at least one attempt to find out what might be possible."

"Don’t believe that the first offer, particularly if it’s made quickly, is the last word," says John Lees. "Relate your proposed total salary in monthly terms to the annual bottom line contribution of the job, and be aware of how much it will cost to replace you. Remember that ‘budgets are tight’ is just a negotiating strategy."

When it comes to talking about money, you need to have a fallback option too. "Know exactly what you are asking for, and have a secondary target if your first request fails," says John Lees.

"You may not get an instant answer, and it is best to allow your manager some time to consider their decision," adds Alan Andrews. "However, don’t leave the meeting without a clear agreement on the timescale for a decision to be made."

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