How to Politely Ask for Salary (in An Interview, Email, Raise)

While your salary should be an important topic when playing your role in a company, most employees seem reluctant to talk about it.

Rather, they are reluctant to start a conversation about it. You would think they are more interested in the job than the pay.

It is important to know all about the role you are applying for in a company. You should know the challenges and level of workload to expect.

You should know the benefits you may receive, including your salary and even possible promotions and raises. It is important to know this before accepting a job.

When should I discuss it? How should I discuss it? How would I sound if I ask? If these are your questions, keep reading to find your answers.

How To Ask For Salary In An Interview

How to Politely Ask for Salary

  • Research the company and know what to expect
  • Expect to be asked the desired salary
  • Wait for the end of the interview.
  • Wait till you are allowed to ask questions
  • Ask to have a later conversation
  • Ask about the position first.
  • Ask for the salary range.
  • State how the salary range has not been mentioned
  • Know your worth and be ready to negotiate
  • Delay answering salary questions and show your value
  • State why you need to know the salary range before proceeding
  • Ask about the company

Research the company and know what to expect

Before you think of discussing your salary at a job interview, you have to start from the beginning. Lay a good foundation for a good negotiation.

Deep research is needed if you are officially new to the role you are applying for. While any salary can be stated to you in the job interview, the company may have the ability to pay more.

To want to ask about the salary, that means it has not been stated in the job posting. However, doing research on the company can give you an idea of what to expect before you think of negotiating for a higher salary.

Expect to be asked the desired salary

As mentioned earlier, you should begin appropriately. Your expectations are also included in this start. You should know what to expect and be prepared for those expectations. Practice your responses and stay confident.

Expecting to be asked for your desired salary means you have to know what to say when you are asked how much you would like to receive.

By preparing the answer to this question, you won’t falter when you are asked. You also won’t be giving wrong numbers that you are uncomfortable with.

This may not happen however but you should be prepared for it.

Wait till the end of the interview

When the interview happens, you have to wait for the right time to say anything. The interview would be a discussion but it is controlled by the man in front of you.

Trying to say anything may interrupt the plan for the session.

There are several reasons you may want to wait for the end of the interview. One of the questions that may be asked during the job interview may be about the salary you expect to get for your role in the company.

Then you get to state how much you would love to be paid. This question may not come in but the interviewer may let you know the budget before the interview comes to an end.

Wait till you are allowed to ask questions

When you are being interviewed, you are only meant to answer questions rather than asking them. However, the interviewer gives you a chance to ask if you have any questions for him/her.

After an interviewer has asked all the questions on the list, he/she may ask if you have questions about your role or the company.

If the salary has not been mentioned, you can go ahead and ask about the salary to expect when you get employed. This won’t be seen as a bad question. It is a usual one and is expected from a job seeker.

If you don’t know the right way to ask, keep reading.

Ask to have a later conversation

You may feel uncomfortable about asking for the salary while seated there. If you can’t find the right words to ask the question, you can simply ask to have a later conversation with your interviewer.

This chance may not always be open. However, the chance to ask about your salary may not be open either but you will have to open that window yourself.

After an interview happens, the interviewer may not ask if you have any questions to ask. Therefore, you don’t get to choose whether you want to ask about the salary there or not.

You can raise a finger and ask if you are permitted to give your interviewer a call later.

Ask about the position first

Asking about the position does not mean you should act like you don’t have an idea of the job you are applying for. You should know the job your are applying for before applying.

Before you talk about the salary, you can ask about the workload you may expect with the position you are about to fill. You can ask about the work hours. You can even ask the interviewer about his/her job.

While talking about the bonuses you may be getting, you can slowly drift into a discussion of the salary. This question can only come in when you have been given the chance to ask questions.

If you have to create the window yourself by asking a quick question after the interview, it is advisable to go straight to your question about the salary so you don’t waste everyone’s time.

Ask for the salary range

After doing your research about the company, keep your desired salary in mind and expect to be asked, and know what time to ask about the salary.

When the interview comes to an end and you are told to ask questions, you can ask about your salary range. Instead of simply asking for the salary, asking for the salary range would be a better option.

While you may not be paid the highest number in the range, you may get the chance to get a raise while working. Also, a stated salary range in the interview does not have to be accepted.

Asking for the salary range feels the same as asking for the salary. If you feel nervous about it, keep reading for suggestions.

State how the salary range has not been mentioned

When you are told to ask questions concerning the role you are applying for, you can ask about the salary range. Finding the right words can be a big deal for some people but It doesn’t have to be.

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Instead of being straightforward and asking for the salary range, you can state that the salary range was not mentioned in the job posting and you didn’t hear it during the interview either.

This is not phrased like a question but it is.

The interviewer will get the message and answer your question. The budget for the role may be fixed rather than a salary range.

However, asking for a salary helps you to know so you are not offered the least payment on the salary range.

Know your worth and be ready to negotiate

When you do your research, you may find out how much a company is worth and how much they can pay for your role.

You may find out how much they have budgeted for this position. You may also find out how much work needs to be done in the company.

Keep these pieces of information with you as you go for the interview. You should also know and be sure of the value you can add to the company.

You should know how much development you are bringing with you. You should know what the company will benefit from you and put a price on it.

When the salary range of the company falls below your expectations, you can simply negotiate for a higher salary range.

State the value you believe you will be adding to the company then say the salary you expected. Do not be rigid if you can manage the company’s offer.

However, there are chances of you getting higher than the company’s initial budget and less than your requested salary.

Delay answering salary questions and show your value

You may not have to ask about your salary if your interviewer asks first. After doing your research, you may have your information about the company’s budget already.

You may know how much the company is capable of paying and you can use that to your advantage.

When you are asked about the salary you expect to receive from the company, you should not answer immediately. No one wants to be paid very little.

You don’t want to be paid below average. However, if you will be asking for a satisfying monthly payment, you don’t want to just say it. It may sound absurd especially if it’s higher than the company’s budget.

You should talk about your skills and how it will help the company. Talk about your past achievements and how the company can benefit from you. Then state the salary range you expect to be receiving from the company.

If it’s higher than the company’s budget, there would be a negotiation.

State why you need to know the salary range before continuing

This is not applicable in all situations. You can say this to show that you have a choice and you would be shooting the best guns and weapons ever if you could have your way.

Saying this should show that you are busy. This can happen before the interview.

When you get a phone call, you can ask a quick question and simply say you wouldn’t like to waste the time of anyone by proceeding with the interview without being sure if you would be willing to take it first.

Then you can ask about the salary range offered.

Ask about the company

You want to ask about your salary, right? It’s your salary or salary range that matters. You do not need to know the importance of the question.

While this question may seem useless and unrelated, it isn’t. This means you shouldn’t just ask random questions.

This question is slightly related and you will be asking because it is easier to ask. When you are allowed to ask questions, you can tell the interviewer you did your research on the company but you need to know what it feels like to work there.

After that question, ask what your working days would feel like when you get accepted. Then you can say the salary range has not been mentioned since you started your application for the job. Boom! You have your answer.

How To Ask For Salary Via Email

How to Politely Ask for Salary

  • Be straightforward.
  • State why you need to know the salary range before proceeding
  • Do your research on the company.
  • State your desired salary range. Don’t give a specific number.
  • Start by asking about work hours.
  • Ask about other benefits.
  • Ask about what to expect while working for the company.
  • Ask for the company’s budget for your role
  • Show your worth by stating why your pay should be above the stated budget.
  • Show your willingness to negotiate.
  • Ask if there are chances of getting a raise later.

Be straightforward

While it may seem easy to ask all the questions you want through an email, it isn’t very easy but it’s not as hard as doing it during your interview.

You would still wonder if you are not asking too many questions, or wasting time with a lot of words before getting to your question.

You should not waste time with a lot of salutations. Once you are allowed to send in questions through the mail, you can simply ask about the salary range. This is an option even if it does not feel easier to know.

State why you need the salary range to proceed

While your employer would not ask why you are so eager to know the salary that’s offered for the job, you can simply say why just to feel better when sending your email.

Talk about your current job and how you are quite okay with it. Ask about the salary and say you can only consider leaving your current company if the salary is high enough.

Do your research on the company

You can be allowed to ask a lot of questions through your mail. Sometimes, it may feel like a complete interview.

When you are conversing via email, you may be asked to state the salary you desire. It is only wise to know about the company before saying anything.

State your desired salary range. Don’t give a specific number

When you are asked to say how much you want to be paid in your company, you should not give one number.

Instead of giving them a particular amount to consider, you should use a salary range. You may be reluctant to charge too high above your current or previous salary.

However, the company may try to bring your request down a little.

You should choose an amount slightly above your current salary. That should be the least value in your salary range (I.e. if you were making $7000 monthly, your least value in your salary range can be $7200 or $7500).

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The highest value in your salary range should be very comfortable for you and should not be too high for the job you are applying for. (e.g. $7500- $10200).

The company may be reluctant to offer the least value in your salary range but they may not pay the highest either unless the budget is much higher than it.

Start by asking about work hours

If you are just as nervous about asking for your salary, you can start with a few questions that make you feel better.

Instead of starting with salutations, you should ask about the position you are filling. Ask about the work hours for your role first unless it has already been mentioned to you.

Ask about other benefits

There may be other benefits but you don’t have to make it seem so important. However, it should be one of the things you consider when making your choice.

When you ask about the work hours, you can ask if there are other benefits. Immediately after this, say your salary range has not been mentioned and say you would like to know.

Ask about what to expect while working for the company

You can ask about what to expect while working for the company. Do not send your questions in different emails. Make sure they are all together in one message and they do not have to be too much.

Simply ask what to expect when you become an employee of the company. There is a high chance you will be answered with all the information you need.

Instead of taking your chances, you can say the particular information you need. (e.g. what do I expect as an employee in your company?

I’m referring to the work hours, workload, extra rewards, staff relationship, and salary payment. I haven’t heard any mention of how much I will be paid for my role)

Ask for the company’s budget for your role

If you are asked to state the amount you desire to be paid, it may be to trap you into saying something less than the budget. Ask for the company’s budget rather than the salary range.

It should feel easier to ask this question, even though it means the same thing as your salary. Whatever amount is stated is usually not the highest they can offer.

You can also ask this question when you are told to say your desired salary. If the stated amount falls below your desired salary, you can state your desired salary and negotiate.

Show your worth by stating why your pay should be above the stated budget

This simply means you should compare it to the industry’s average. Talk about your achievements and how much your impact should be generating for the company.

Then you can say that you believe the budget is not enough for the role.

This should happen after your question about the company’s budget is answered. Say this before saying the amount you desire to be paid.

Show your willingness to negotiate

After you say the amount you desire to be paid and why you believe you deserve it, you should show your willingness to negotiate in the same message.

You can simply bring down your desired salary but make sure it is not equal to the budget. You may even play a simple game by making your desired salary slightly higher than you intended.

Then you can bring it back down to the amount you actually want.

Ask if there are chances of getting a raise later

After the salary is agreed upon, you can ask other questions about the job. Ask if you have a chance of getting promoted while working with the company. Ask if there are chances of ever getting a raise.

How to Ask for a paycheck

How to Politely Ask for Salary

For urgent need

  • Start with a professional and polite greeting
  • Mention that the terms of payment have not been violated.
  • Ask if you can get your paycheck at the moment
  • Apologize for asking early
  • State your reason for asking early
  • Show that you have worked for the paycheck even though it’s not the agreed time for payment yet.
  • Show gratitude for being considered.
  • Say it’s fine if no assistance can be offered.

Start with a professional and polite greeting

You should always be mindful of how you appear in an official environment. You should stay professional and polite. It is even more important when you are about to make a request like this one.

Mention that the terms of payment have not been violated

When you go to your boss demanding to be paid before the official date of payment, you may make it sound like he/she has defaulted and that would be a huge mistake.

Mention that the terms of payment have not been violated and you are wrong to come to him/her.

Ask if you can get your paycheck at the moment

After greeting and talking about the terms of payment which have been perfectly followed, you can ask if it is possible to get paid before the agreed time for payment.

Your boss may ask why but you should not wait for him to ask for your reasons.

Apologize for asking early

Immediately after you ask for your paycheck, apologize for asking early. Say that you have no right to disturb him and you know that it is not time to be paid.

State your reason for asking early

After apologizing, simply state your reason. It has to be very important since you can wait a few days or weeks to get paid.

Showing your boss why your request is important will make him want to consider giving it to you.

You can also remind him that you have earned the money already so it does not seem like a loan. Just make sure you don’t sound like you are demanding.

Show that you have worked for the paycheck even though it’s not the agreed time for payment

Know that if you have not worked for the money you are asking for, it may be seen as a loan.

Mention that the month is complete already and you can’t wait for the day the payment is supposed to happen.

Show gratitude for being considered

Show gratitude even before a response. Just say you will be very grateful if your request is considered. Once he agrees, you should show appreciation for it.

Say it’s fine if no assistance is offered

You can also add that it’s okay if he does not give it to you. Saying this may make him want to give it to you. However, it may also make it seem like you can get the money elsewhere.

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You may want to leave it out if you don’t have any other options.

How to Politely Ask for Salary

Requesting for paycheck as a freelancer, you should

  • Begin with a professional and polite greeting.
  • State the service offered and the payment agreed upon.
  • State the time agreed upon for payment if there’s any.
  • State your account details
  • Ask when to expect the payment
  • Say how soon you would like to get paid.
  • Send a follow-up message after a few days

Begin with a professional and polite greeting

As a freelancer, you should be very professional in everything. Be professional when taking on projects and stay professional when asking to be paid.

State the service offered and payment agreed upon

Even if your service is already known, you can simply add the service you offered and the payment you agreed upon with your client.

State the time agreed upon for payment if there are any

If you had agreed to be paid on a particular date, you can state it. If you are sending your message before the agreed time, state that the message is a reminder.

If your message is coming on the date or after, you can say so too.

State your account details

If your client does not already have a way to pay you, you can suggest ways your money can be sent to you. If your client already knew how, you can still add it in the message.

Ask when to expect the payment

If it’s not the agreed time yet, this question would be unnecessary. If it’s the agreed time or after, you can ask when to expect your payment after adding your payment address to the message.

Say how soon you would like to get paid

After asking when the client wants to pay you, say how soon you would like to receive the money. You don’t have to say why since you already earned your money.

By stating a particular time you want to get paid, you will make your client choose a time not far from yours. You could also be lucky if he/she is willing to pay before the time you stated.

Send a follow-up message after a few days

If you have not been paid yet after a few days, you can send a reminder to your client. If the time is still not up yet, you can send it as a second reminder.

How To Ask For Paycheck, If Delayed

How to Politely Ask for Salary

  • Begin with a professional and polite greeting
  • Say when your paycheck was due and add proofs if available.
  • Ask if the paycheck is available
  • Ask when the paycheck will be available
  • If you are a freelancer, show your disappointment in the delay
  • Conclude message with gratitude
  • Send follow-up messages occasionally

Begin with a professional and polite greeting

You do not want to lose your job because your paycheck has been delayed for a few days.

You should approach your boss professionally and politely. The message to your client should also be professional and polite.

Say when your paycheck was due and add proofs if available

You can simply remind your boss that you have not received your paycheck for the previous month.

When sending mail as a freelancer to a client that owes you, you may want to add proofs like images or files to show that you offered your service and you have not been paid.

Ask if the paycheck is available

You can ask your boss if you can get your payment at the moment. Make it seem like you need it.

As a freelancer, you can also ask your client if the paycheck is available.

Ask when the paycheck will be available

If the paycheck is not available at the moment, ask when to expect it.

If you are a freelancer, show your disappointment in the delay

As a freelancer, show that you did not expect to have to wait so long to get your payment. Express your disappointment.

Conclude the message with gratitude.

Appreciate your client’s past transactions. In the concluding part of your message, say how soon you would like to get paid and appreciate him for honoring your message.

Send follow-up messages occasionally

If it’s your boss at work, you can send follow-up messages but don’t make it too often.

A freelancer should send follow-up messages too and may be more often than an employee who is dealing with his/her boss.

How To Ask For A Salary Raise

How to Politely Ask for Salary

  • Do research on company budgets and how raises are done
  • Start with professional greetings
  • Talk about your contributions and achievements.
  • Say you want to get a raise.
  • Say how the extra remuneration should encourage more productivity from you
  • Be ready to get a negative response
  • Ask what you need to do to get a raise in the future.

Do research on company budgets and how raises are done.

Your research is important so you’ll know if it’s possible to get your raise or not. You should do research on how raises and promotions are handled in the company before knowing how to approach them.

If you think you have worked long enough and your employer is not clogged with work at the moment, you can make your move.

Start with professional greetings

Commend the efforts of your boss in your greetings. Appear as polite and professional as possible when asking for a discussion.

Talk about your contributions and achievements

Talk about your efforts in the company. Your efforts must be clear to you before trying to make him understand your contributions.

Show how your work has impacted the company. You have to be talking about your recent efforts and achievements.

Talk about your increased efforts and how it is affecting the company positively.

Say you want a raise

Politely ask to get extra remuneration on your current salary. Ask for a raise after mentioning your efforts in the company and how the company is positively impacted.

Say how the extra remuneration should encourage more productivity from you.

Promise to increase your efforts in playing your role and say how a salary raise should encourage you to do that. You can also say how the company will benefit from your increased efforts.

Be ready to get a negative response

Do not keep your hopes up. Be ready to be rejected. This means you have to keep calm and find the right response if your boss refuses to give you a raise.

Ask what you need to do to get a raise in future

This is the perfect response when your boss refuses to give you a raise. You should ask what your boss expects from you to show you deserve the raise.

The response will let you know if you are ever going to get the raise or not.

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