Let’s break this down by talking through some of the other info out on the internet, because not all of it is beneficial and I know you– you’ve already done your research. (Get it, girl.)
Glamour.com tells us to
GET ANOTHER OFFER
Why this may work
When you’re researching how to negotiate, every source will tell you to bring documentation. What better documentation is there than an offer from another company? If you have cold, hard proof that someone will pay you more to do your job elsewhere, it’s very hard to deny.
Why this may be the worst idea ever
While you have proved your seriousness to your employer, you’ve also disproved your loyalty. And while any decent company should appreciate you coming to them to work out your issues before just bouncing, a petty one may get pissed that you were looking in the first place. Also, keep in mind, that while you may be making 85k as a copywriter for your agency, the agency that is offering you a job as a “Copywriter” might have you doing a lot more, which would warrant a larger salary.
The verdict: You’re low key playing with fire. I only recommend looking elsewhere if you’re serious about leaving.
Resourcesolutions.com tells us to
OVER PREPARE AND BE OBJECTIVE
Why this may work
You may unintentionally go into this meeting with the wrong attitude and get steamrolled by talk of budgets and vague timelines. If you come in SUPER prepared, your documentation will do the heavy lifting for you. Being objective allows you to collect this data in a fair, unbiased manner.
Why this may be the worst idea ever
Do men ask for raises with a stack of PDFs and performance reviews in hand? Do they live life as objective and unemotionally as possible? I say, “nay!” Bringing your subjective brain into this conversation might be a benefit. And far be it from me to ever tell you to be underprepared, but OVER prepared? Maybe just the right amount of preparedness is fine.
The verdict: Know why you deserve a raise, but don’t necessarily bring the entire Pay Gap Manifesto with you to the meeting. Oh, and try not to take any criticisms personally, but definitely stay in tuned with things like body language and voice inflections.
The NYTimes tells us to
DO IT FOR THE CAUSE
Why this may work
The selfless gene runs deep, especially once you become someone’s mama. “If I ask for a raise and get it, I can then send the elevator back down and help out Tina in Accounting… she’s been here for like 25 years!” This might be the extra push you need to get over your fear of rejection. Lean into it, sister.
Why this may be the worst idea ever
Point blank, asking for a raise is all about you. Your performance. Your contributions. Your relationship with your managers and direct reports. No one else. Bringing someone else up (even if only in your mind) could come across as juvenile and petty.
The verdict: Do it for you. The cause is the added benefit. Focus on that after you secure the bag.
KelseaGunner.com tells us to:
FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT
Listen, I believe you deserve that raise. As long as you believe it, (or can fake like you believe it), you should have a not-so-terrible time selling that upstream. No matter your why, it’s all about making the case for YOU. So put on the outfit that makes you feel the most confident, do that thing with your hair that makes you feel like the baddest in the room, set a 15 minute meeting with the decision maker and tell ’em how it is.
I’ll be here to clap for you.
xo Kels
kelseagunner 