Asking for a Raise _The Wrong Way_

When I started my engineering career, I had little guidance on how to manage my career. After working as a manager of an engineering team, I realize how badly I managed my career as an engineer.

One of the areas where I screwed up badly multiple times: asking for a raise.

The attitude I (and other engineers) approach the topic of raises are the same:

You don’t get if you don’t ask.

Well, after being on both sides of this question - asking for a raise won’t get you a raise with a good manager.

I’ve been fortunate I just didn’t a raise by asking for it because that would set up bad behaviors.

Why?

The next time I want a raise, what do you think I will do?? The same thing as last time:

Just ask!

As a manager I would shut down this bad behavior because it makes me look bad to my boss.

Worse, this sets the impression on your boss that:

• You’re only at the job for money.
• You can’t think bigger than yourself (which is bad for team work!)

How to Improve Chance for Raise

Ultimately, there’s no guarantee for a raise, even when your manager wants to give you one, why? Their manager needs to approve the raise!

As a manager, I have said you won’t get a raise just by asking (even if I want you to have one, cuz bad behaviors!) and I will give you a plan on how to get a raise.

Basically, that plan will be to make you and your manager look good to their manager (who’s job in the organization is to objectively approve of raises.)

A great team member would collaborate on this plan - one that a manager would take to their manager to justify why you deserve a raise.

Conclusion

To ask for a raise, collaborate on a plan with your manager that will make both of you look good.

That way, you create the right impression to your manager, their manager, and have the best chance of getting an awesome raise.