How to get your boss to give you a pay rise
Asking your boss for a pay rise can feel like a nerve-racking experience but it doesn’t have to be with the right know-how.
The key is knowing your worth, meeting your goals and approaching your boss with a plan of action, as Louise McFadzean, managing director of Zest Skin Spa and founder of The Edinburgh School of Beauty, explains.
“I think for some people it’s a really difficult conversation to have because they feel they deserve that raise but they want to know when the right time to ask for that is,” says McFadzean.
“There’s nothing wrong with asking your boss ‘Can I have five minutes with you’ to have a conversation and be honest. Any boss wants to hear from people who want to be successful and make money, it’s why we’re in business.”
4 ways to get that pay rise this year:
1. Aim to impress
“Anybody looking to increase their potential for earning should approach their boss and say, ‘you want your business's turnover to increase and I want my income to increase, we have the same goals’. It’s knowing what’s in this for everybody,” says McFadzean.
“There’s little point approaching your boss and saying ‘I want to do training for me’, you should say, ‘I want to do X training because the benefit to the business is huge’. Explain what undergoing the training will do for the business in terms of growth and then explain what you would like in return.”
2. Work with your boss to set goals
“Every boss asks themselves – why should I give you that pay rise? I should give it to you because you’re willing to put more effort and energy into the business to make the salon a success, rather than I want a pay rise because my outgoings have gone up. It doesn’t really work like that, so change your approach,” explains McFadzean.
3. Show your commitment
“Let your boss know you’re committed to your role. This industry has seen times when the turnover of staff has been very high and for a business owner, that just shows that those employees aren’t very committed or don't share the same goals as you. Employers want someone who is going to stick with them for that longer journey, so show your commitment to the business,” explains McFadzean.
4. Set targets with your boss that work for you
“I think everybody should have a target in life. I’ve got an accountant who I’ve been working with for years and at the start of every financial year he’ll say to me, ‘What are your goals? Is it a house? Holiday? Handbag? What is it you want to achieve and we will make sure that happens’,” says McFadzean.
“So, for your team, it doesn’t always have to be a financial target, they could be wanting to book a holiday or get their first flat, and they should work together with you as a team – employee and employer – to make sure they are achieving those goals. If your staff are happy then they will stay in your business longer.”
For more helpful advice and tips, visit Professional Beauty’s YouTube page.
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