Timing matters: asking during a performance review cycle or after a clear win improves your odds.
Concrete evidence of impact is more persuasive than tenure or effort alone.
Market data anchors your number and demonstrates you've done your homework.
Knowing your manager's constraints helps you frame the conversation strategically.
A 'no' is more actionable when you ask what would make a 'yes' possible.
30–60 min
Summary
18 items · 30–60 minutes
Why Self-Assessment Comes Before the Ask
Walking into a raise conversation without preparation is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes workers make. Managers approve raises when they're persuaded by evidence, not by a feeling that someone deserves more. That means the real work happens before you ever sit down across from your boss.
This checklist is designed to help you honestly evaluate your readiness across four dimensions: your performance record, market positioning, timing, and conversation strategy. It won't tell you what number to ask for — that depends on your industry, employer, and situation — but it will tell you whether you're ready to ask at all.
List at least three specific accomplishments from the past 12 months that had a measurable impact on your team, department, or company.Must
Quantify your contributions wherever possible — revenue generated, costs reduced, time saved, projects delivered on schedule.Must
Review your most recent performance evaluation and confirm there are no unresolved concerns or improvement plans on record.Must
Gather any written praise, positive feedback, or recognition from managers, clients, or cross-functional partners.Should
Identify responsibilities you've taken on beyond your original job description to demonstrate growth in scope.Should
Market Research
Research salary ranges for your role, experience level, and geographic area using at least two reputable sources such as government labor statistics or professionally recognized compensation surveys.Must
Determine a specific target number or range — not just a vague sense that you deserve more — based on your research.Must
Account for your industry, company size, and whether your employer is known to lead, match, or lag the market on compensation.Should
Note whether your skills are in high demand or scarce supply in your local or remote labor market, as this affects your leverage.Nice to have
Timing and Context
Confirm whether your company has a formal review or budget cycle, and time your request to align with it rather than working against it.Must
Avoid initiating a raise conversation during high-stress periods for your manager or company — such as a major deadline, a leadership transition, or a publicized budget freeze.Must
Consider whether you recently delivered a visible win or completed a high-impact project — this is a stronger moment than a neutral one.Should
Request a dedicated meeting rather than raising the topic at the end of an unrelated conversation.Should
Conversation Preparation
Practice stating your case out loud — including your target number — so you can deliver it clearly and without hesitation.Must
Prepare a response for common pushback, such as budget constraints or 'let's revisit this later,' so you can redirect productively.Must
Know in advance what you will ask if the answer is no: specifically, what milestones or timeline would make a yes possible.Should
Decide your personal bottom line before the meeting — not in the moment — so you can make clear-headed decisions under pressure.Should
Prepare a written summary of your case that you can leave with your manager or follow up with via email after the conversation.Nice to have
How to Use This Checklist
Work through each group in order. Items marked must are non-negotiable — if you can't check them off, hold the conversation until you can. Items marked should significantly strengthen your position. Nice-to-have items add polish and demonstrate extra preparation.
Be honest with yourself. The goal isn't to find reasons to delay indefinitely; it's to make sure that when you do ask, you're asking from a position of strength with evidence to back it up.
Required
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Data
Provides publicly available wage data by occupation, industry, and geography to anchor your salary research in official figures.
Required
A personal accomplishments log or work journal
Tracks completed projects, metrics, and feedback throughout the year so you're not reconstructing your case from memory at the last minute.
Optional
A salary comparison worksheet or spreadsheet
Organizes your market research findings and helps you triangulate a defensible target number across multiple data sources.
Optional
A trusted colleague or mentor for a practice conversation
Helps you rehearse your pitch and stress-test your responses to pushback before the real meeting.
If your role involves regular high-visibility moments — presenting strategy, leading team meetings, or speaking in front of leadership — your communication skills will be part of how you're evaluated. Our readiness checklist for workplace speakers can help you sharpen that dimension of your case.
A 'No' Is Not the End of the Conversation
If your request is denied, ask your manager directly: 'What would need to be true for this to be a yes, and by when?' This reframes rejection as a roadmap. Get any answer in writing or follow up with a summary email so both parties are accountable to the same expectations going forward.
Work & Career Editorial Team is the collective byline for our editorial team and contributor network. Articles published under this byline or an editorial pen name are researched, written, and reviewed according to our editorial standards for clarity, consistency, and independence before publication.
Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.
