Money Talks: what to do when you don’t get a payrise
In a recent Money Talks piece, we gave some tips on how to ask for a payrise, but what if you're turned down?
Here are some tips on what to do if you are unsure about your next step if you’re turned down for a payrise:
Be diplomatic - less is more
If the conversation is in person, it can be hard to know how to react and manage your disappointment. Your first instinct may be to disagree or get them to change their mind. But it might be best for you to take in the response, process it, then figure out what you might want to say later on. In the meantime, you could say something like:
Thank you for letting me know. I’m of course disappointed but I’m keen to keep developing and contributing to the organisation. I’d like to talk more about how I can do this and revisit this conversation further down the line.
2. Get an explanation
It’s important to get an explanation if you want to try again for a raise. You want to be able to prove that you’ve filled in the gaps they said were missing when they rejected you.
3. Make a plan - with a timeline
Once you know the reasons for the rejection, you can make a plan to address them then go back armed with the evidence that you’ve met their requirements and deserve that pay rise. Do they say you need to do more work in a certain area of the organisation to get more experience? Figure out how you can do that. Would some positive feedback or endorsements from senior people help make your case? See how you can get those and even see if one of these people could become a mentor and support you in making your case.
Have a realistic timeline in place. When can you tick these things off your list, and when would be a good time to have another conversation about pay?
4. Note your achievements
It’s easy when you’re busy not to stop and take note of your achievements and think about what they mean. Set aside 10 minutes every week to note down any achievements, how they developed your skills, and how they benefit your employer. If you’ve had positive feedback from colleagues on any of these achievements, jot these down too. Keeping this log will make it easier for you to show your contributions and worth.
5. Focus your attention on new opportunities
Sometimes, you don’t get a decent reason when you’re rejected. Or, it’s so vague, it’s hard to figure out how you can change it. Or it’s just out of your control. Reasons such as “it’s a tough economy at the moment”, “we have a pay freeze” or “this is the market rate” are pretty common. You may feel there’s little you can do about that. If you feel like your situation won't change, and you know you're worth more, it's time to start planning an exit strategy and looking for a new role. Maybe your time in this job is coming to a natural end - it could be better to redirect your energy into looking for that great, new, better-paid job elsewhere.
