how to ask for a raise as an attorney

by Prof. Wyman Schneider I 7 min read

  • Prepare your case and determine what value you bring ahead of time.
  • Rehearse your raise request and get feedback from others before the actual meeting.
  • Schedule a meeting to request a raise at a good time to boost your chance of approval.
  • In the meeting, show confidence, use data, and be specific.

How to Successfully Ask for a Raise
  1. Be Scheduled. If compensation/performance reviews are not discussed during your final interview, I recommend addressing them as part of your overall package. ...
  2. Be Prepared. ...
  3. Don't act Entitled. ...
  4. Be Aware of your Firm's Financial Climate. ...
  5. Be Conscious of your Value. ...
  6. Be Calm. ...
  7. Be Creative. ...
  8. Be Clear.

Full Answer

How much should I ask for a raise from my salary?

Strong employees who want a salary raise can reasonably ask for 10-20% above their current salary and then negotiate with their managers from that starting point. Use Payscale or the Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the average or median salary for someone in your industry and city.

How to ask for a raise with confidence?

Learn some of the best ways to ask for a raise with confidence and (hopefully) get a yes. Prepare your case and determine what value you bring ahead of time. Rehearse your raise request and get feedback from others before the actual meeting. Schedule a meeting to request a raise at a good time to boost your chance of approval.

How do you ask for a raise in a meeting?

Writing and practicing a script is one way to manage those feelings. If you rehearse it enough, you’ll be able to stick to it even when you’re nervous. Throughout your script, focus on the professional rather than personal reasons why you deserve this raise. Begin your conversation by clearly stating the purpose of the meeting.

What to do if your employer refuses to give you a raise?

If they reject your request for a raise, this email can serve as a record of the conversation. You may decide to request a raise again at a later date, and you can reference this email at that point. If you feel you are not being compensated fairly and aren’t making progress with your current employer, it may be time to look for a new job.

Why do lawyers have an advantage?

What does a good lawyer do?

Do lawyers walk into court?

Do you know what people are earning in your field?

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How do you politely ask for a raise for a professional?

Our 8 Best Tips on Asking For a RaiseCollect All the Positive Praise You've Received Since Your Last Performance Review. ... Always Bring Data + Numbers. ... Consider What You'll Bring to the Team in the Coming Year (and Beyond) ... Think About Why Your Boss Would Want to Give You More Money + The Time of Year.More items...

Is asking for a 10% raise reasonable?

When asking for a raise in your current position, it is typically acceptable to ask for up to 10% more than what you are making now. However, it's important to ensure that you go to the meeting equipped with examples of when you excelled within your position and how you have added to your company's overall successes.

What is a reasonable amount to ask for a raise?

It's always a good idea to ask for anywhere between 10% to 20% higher than what you're making right now. You may be able to ask for more based on your performance, length of time with the company, and other factors. Make sure you come prepared when you negotiate your raise and be confident.

How do you phrase asking for a raise?

Example script: What to say when asking for a raise: “I'd like to discuss my compensation. Based on ___ and ___ (reasons), I thought it was a good time to ask for an increase in base compensation. The amount I was hoping for is ___.”

Is 30% too much to ask for a raise?

While asking for 30 to 40 percent may be too much, Corcoran does recommend always asking for "more than you want" by "a little." "Raises are a process," Corcoran said.

Is asking for a 20k raise too much?

Asking for a raise can be the best way to obtain the compensation you deserve if your job duties have changed significantly or if your performance merits a boost. Standard pay increases range from 3% (average) to 5% (exceptional). Asking for a 10% to 20% increase, depending on the reason, is a way to open negotiations.

What is a good raise percentage 2022?

Research salary databases online And so far in 2022, job-seekers expect to make 34% more than their current salary in a new gig, or a pay bump of $9,253 on average. Of course, the increase you can expect will depend on your job, experience, geography and industry, among other factors.

Can I ask for a 15% raise?

Ask for 10-15% If... This is a "good" raise percent to aim for if you're already paid competitively for your job but you have continued to perform. And if you have some longevity at the company, you can definitely push for the higher end of this range.

What is a typical promotion raise?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' annual review, the average raise for a performance-based promotion in 2020 is 3.0% . This means an employee earning $40,000 a year would receive (on average) a $1,200 raise.

How do you politely ask for a salary increase example?

Asking for the raise Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. In my current role, I am excited to keep working towards key company goals and grow my personal responsibilities. As a result, I would like to discuss my salary.

What to say to negotiate a raise?

If you want a raise, for example, you might start with, “At some point, I'd love for us to talk about my contributions and what I can do to get to the next level,” or, “I'd like to discuss my career growth and how I can continue to develop in this role at my next performance review.” Your boss's initial response can ...

How do you ask for a higher raise than offer?

How to Ask for a Bigger Raise than OfferedKnow your value and what you're worth to an organization.Think like a boss, and approach the situation like your manager would need to follow.Avoid mentioning personal reasons.Don't compare yourself to your coworkers, but do compare yourself to industry standards.

How do I get a 10% raise?

If you know the raise percentage and want to determine the new salary amount: Convert the percentage into decimal form. Multiply the old salary by this value. Add this new value to the old salary.

Can I ask for a 15% raise?

Ask for 10-15% If... This is a "good" raise percent to aim for if you're already paid competitively for your job but you have continued to perform. And if you have some longevity at the company, you can definitely push for the higher end of this range.

How much is a 10 percent raise?

If, for example, your current rate is $20/h and you are offered a 10% increase, your new hourly rate can be calculated like so: $20 + $20 * 10 / 100 = $20 + $20 * 0.1 = $20 + $2 = $22. On the other hand, if your current hourly rate is $20/h, and you are offered $22/h, what is that in percentage change?

How much should I ask for a raise 2022?

And so far in 2022, job-seekers expect to make 34% more than their current salary in a new gig, or a pay bump of $9,253 on average. Of course, the increase you can expect will depend on your job, experience, geography and industry, among other factors.

How to ask for a raise?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to asking for a raise. 1. Choose the right time to ask. It’s not uncommon to want a raise. In fact, in a recent Indeed survey, only 19% of people were comfortable with their rate of pay. However, when you do ask for a raise, you need to carefully choose your timing.

How to approach asking for a raise?

You should approach asking for a raise with the same level of seriousness you would have for a job interview or an important presentation, and you should dress accordingly. Even if your workplace has a relaxed dress code, consider dressing slightly more formally for this meeting. Your appearance can convey to your manager that you understand the significance of the conversation.

What to do if your company is not doing well?

If the company is not doing well, this is not the time to ask for a raise. As an employee, you may be aware of the company’s financial health. You should look for warning signs, such as cutbacks in spending or layoffs. Check the news for stories about your employer or industry. Do company research and look at financial reports.

What to document when talking about a raise?

Be sure to document the details of the specific accomplishment (s) you’ll reference in your conversation about a raise. Even though your manager may be aware of your work broadly, they may not be up to date on precisely how impressive it was.

How to find the salary range of a job?

Every job has a market value. This value is usually within a certain range. To learn the salary range for your job, visit Indeed Salaries and enter your job title. This salary information comes from over 450 million data points. You’ll be able to see the national salary trend for your job title. You can then choose the state or metro area where you work to get a pay rate that’s appropriate for your city.

What to do when you see opportunities coming up?

If you see that one of these opportunities is coming up, make note of it on your calendar. This will give you a headstart on planning for the conversation with your manager.

What to do if you feel you are not being compensated fairly?

If you feel you are not being compensated fairly and aren’t making progress with your current employer, it may be time to look for a new job. On Indeed, you can research employers and see how they are rated for compensation/benefits and job security/advancement, among other factors.

1. Be scheduled

I hear complaints from employers about repeated requests throughout the year from employees for compensation increases. In one such situation, an otherwise good employment relationship was deteriorating rapidly as the partner felt he couldn’t walk to the washroom without hearing the employee ask for more money.

2. Be prepared

Make sure you prepare answers to the following: Why do you deserve a raise? What positive impact have you demonstrated? What qualities do you have that will serve the firm in the future (meaning you are worth the investment)?

5. Be aware of yourself

Look at the circumstances going on in your life: Did you just get back from a lengthy vacation or receive a reprimand? The answer to these questions will dictate how the meeting goes, even if everything else is in your favor.

6. Be conscious of your value

When asking for a raise it is easy (and fun) to get caught up in why you deserve one – you rock, right? Every yin has its yang, so in order to be realistic you need to evaluate why you might not deserve to receive a raise.

7. Be calm

Appearing hot and defensive when you ask for a raise won’t go well. You have to be an advocate for yourself while remaining level headed – not an easy thing to do. Be in a good place before this discussion by trying to schedule it at a time when you are not rushed, hungry or totally stressed out.

8. Be creative

Cash flow is a problem in most businesses. If your employer informs you that you deserve a raise but money is too tight, be prepared with a creative solution.

9. Be clear

Ask for what you want, plus a little more. This is a negotiation. You want room to move. If you’re granted your first demand that’s wonderful, but the odds are strongly in favor of a counter which is less than your wildest dreams. If you build in room to move in your request, you can have real dialogue that also makes you look even more reasonable.

For some reason, many folks have a hard time asking for a raise

It’s the end of the year, which means two things: bonus season and potential salary increases.

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Why should I ask for a raise in writing?

There are many benefits to drafting a salary increase letter, even if you still decide to have a conversation with your boss in person. Here are three reasons you should consider putting your request in writing:

Why do you put a salary request in writing?

Putting your salary request in writing will help you organize your thoughts and create persuasive arguments for why you deserve a pay increase. By listing your various accomplishments and experiences in writing, you can help yourself prepare for any future conversations on the topic and ensure you don’t miss any vital information.

Why is it important to come prepared with the salary increase?

It is important to come prepared with the salary increase you desire to appear prepared, alleviate confusion and make the process as quick as possible. Use Indeed Salaries to find out the average salary for your position, experience level and city to define an appropriate asking amount.

Why is it important to come prepared with the salary increase you desire to appear prepared?

It is important to come prepared with the salary increase you desire to appear prepared, alleviate confusion and make the process as quick as possible.

Why do lawyers have an advantage?

In short, attorneys have an advantage, because the very nature of their job requires them to become negotiating pros. If you want to duplicate their success, you don’t need to go to law school — you just need to learn how to build a case the way lawyers do. 1. Do your research.

What does a good lawyer do?

Even if they’re operating in an advisory capacity (for example, helping you set up a trust, rather than helping you win a lawsuit), a good lawyer walks into every negotiation with every an answer to every imaginable question. Research is at the core of what lawyers do.

Do lawyers walk into court?

Even if they aren’t going to court, lawyers enter every negotiation with evidence in hand. Law is based on evidence and precedence, so lawyers never walk into court without investigating all the facts and a history of what happened in similar cases throughout history.

Do you know what people are earning in your field?

It’s not enough to know what people in your field and with your job title are earning — you need to be able to prove that you rank with the best of them. Attention to detail is your friend, and in this, once again, you can learn from lawyers.

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