When is it okay to ask for a raise (and how to do it tactfully)

When is it okay to ask for a raise (and how to do it tactfully)When is it okay to ask for a raise (and how to do it tactfully)Sure, they say money cant buy you happiness but lets be real here. We would all love if our bosses paid us more than we make now.This is true whether you consider yourself just a halfway decent employee, or even more so if you feel like (or know for sure) you work your butt off on a regular grund without being compensated enough. No matter what your situation, a hefty raise is what dreams are made ofHowever, reality is cold in comparison to that dream.Instead of getting raises at a somewhat predictable frequency, whats much more typical is hard working employees just keep their heads down, do their work and wonder if theyll ever get a pay bump. And to be fair, its not a surprise why as much as any company might value its employees, their primary interest will likely always be to stay in business and to maximize profits giving out raises all the time doesnt d irectly help them do that, so they dont (unless they really want to retain you).Therefore, most of the time, a hard-working employees main chance for ever getting a raise is to bring up the subject themselves.The question is thenwhen is it an okay time to ask for a raise?Done cleverly, you might land the raise youve wanted all along. But what could also happen is you could fall on your face and not get a single penny added to your salary if you do it at the wrong time or for the wrong reason. Below are 7 scenarios that shed light on if its a smart time to ask for a raise and how to broach the subject, if it is.6 situations that are great opportunities to ask for a raise1. You just crushed your goal(s)If you just brought on a big new client, effectively implemented an important piece of technology, or designed a process that has saved the company tons of time and money, get your greifhand out Cashing in when youre fresh off a commendable accomplishment is an ideal way to get your sal ary bumped.How to do it Meet with your boss, outline your specific contributions, and how they resulted in exceeding the goal. Include concrete numbers whenever possible.2. Your pay is lower than the pay range for your roleSome companies set up pay ranges for certain jobs. Perhaps you didnt have much experience when you started, or some other reason caused you to accept a lower salary and your pay doesnt match up with your pay grade today. If youve been doing your job well for a solid amount of time, but your salary is below or at the bottom of the pay grade for the work that youve been doing, its time to consider asking for a raise.How to do it Point out your salary and pay grade to your manager and request to be moved into the pay range thats appropriate for the role and responsibilities that youve taken on.3. Youve recently accepted more responsibilityIf youve taken over projects from someone else or stepped into a higher role, you deserve to be compensated for your increase in p roductivity.How to do it Show your manager how much more you have on your plate and how youre managing it. Ask for additional compensation for your efforts.4. Your company is stableIf a company just lost a big account, is a new startup that is still trying to become profitable, or is going through a merger, this might not be the right time to ask for a pay increase because even if your boss really wanted to hear you out. If, however, your organization is stable and profitable, the time may be right to get .How to do it Explain you have waited to ask until the company is stable, and you would like your hard work and dedication to be rewarded.5. You havent had a raise in over a yearPeriodic increases are the best way to increase your salary in the long-term. Dont let years trickle by without a raise.How to do it Point out to your manager the date of your last raise. Discuss your performance and ask for a bump in pay.6. Youve been offered another opportunityUsing this one means walking a very fine line, because once you tell your current employer that youve received another opportunity and are considering it, they might simply be done with you send you on your way without further conversation about pay. This is exactly why you should NEVER say you have a job offer if you dont actually have one, by the way. However, if youve gauged the situation well and your current company really does want to keep you, a legitimate outside job opportunity could be exactly the right push needed to get you a nice little pay bump.How to do it Meet with your manager and tell him/her about your new job offer. Express your genuine interest in staying at your company, so long as certain things happen including a raise.Knowing when and in what situation to ask for a raise is essential in stacking the odds in your favor. If one of these scenarios sounds like the situation youre in, plan your strategy and dont delay in getting in front of your boss to make your case for a raise.This artic le welches originally published on Kununu.