How should I ask for a raise?

Sure you should ask. I agree with the written letter but I may also ask for a quick meeting to hand it to them in person. They can’t expect you to do a much larger role for no more money.

Generally, with a promotion, you automatically received a raise in pay. Do you think they may just have you on a temporary position, to see if you can handle the position? It works this way in my police department. After six months, we received our raise in pay, plus backpay for the trial period.

Could it be that your boss(s) are super busy and maybe forgot to give you your raise? It happens sometimes in a private business.

Here is my suggestion: If you are now a supervisor, you have to think like a supervisor and go and ask for your raise or at least they will give you an explanation. You are not just one of the guys now. Your position includes being a leader. So lead and ask your supervisor exactly what comes with your promotion.

Good luck. jp

I was just told yesterday. This firm doesn’t have any sort of policies or human resources. My friend says they won’t give you a raise unless you ask for it.

I would not name a figure. Three months is early days to get a raise.

I would write a letter saying, “With my increased responsibilities including supervising # staff members, I would like to receive increased compensation.”

Then give it to whoever your friend thinks should receive it.

One place you can start is salary.com. If you live in a large metropolitan area, it will give you a good range for what people are making in your area. It’s not so accurate in other places, but it will still give you an idea of what to shoot for.

Make the letter about the job and its responsibilities. Don’t make it personal about you or them. Keep it very business-like. Outline the job and how you are best suited to fulfill those points, and then state plainly you believe the new position deserves a new salary.

You can then name a figure you think is fair for yourself and the company.

You’ve got to make a sales pitch of it. You want them to give you more money for the service you’re already providing. So they need to understand the value of your offer.

Writing is okay, I guess. But I think you’ll find it more satisfying and faster to talk to them in person. If you believe the letter to be helpful, hand deliver it yourself and explain what it is about. This is not email material!

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Were I in your shoes, I would likely attempt starting a conversation – and/or a letter – along these lines:

Thank you for trusting me with the opportunities and responsibilities of my new position as __________________. I’m excited by my new role and am looking forward to the challenge.

With the increased effort, time, and skill needed to fill my new role, I would like to request additional compensation as it’s customary to see an increase in pay with a promotion.

I recommend we sit down at a convenient time together to discuss your thoughts on this. When is a good time for you?

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I realize my wording is a bit formal in places. You’d obviously want to use your own language. However, notice the following aspects of my suggestion:

1. Explain the benefits of your offer. In this case, you’re doing a great job in your new role.

2. Normalize your request. Everyone expects a pay increase with a promotion… but don’t compare your pay to anyone else’s.

3. Make it easy for them. They’re apparently very busy. Ask for what you want, but also be deferential of their time.

4. Make a positive recommendation for the next step. You don’t need a yes/no answer right now. You’re going to give them the illusion of time to think about it. But what you’re really doing is having them plan the time to sit down and talk about how much more they’re going to pay you.

5. Unless you really have a specific amount in mind, don’t give them a dollar/percentage amount for the raise. They know what they paid others in that role… and you’re new. If they ask you to throw out a number, politely tell them you defer to their judgement.

6. Say your piece, then don’t say anything else. Don’t ramble on. Don’t try to fill the awkward silence. As a matter of fact, if there is awkward silence, that’s your cue to stay quiet. Allow them offer something to make the conversation comfortable again.

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Finally, as they say, this is just business. If the pay raise isn’t enough to make you happy, you can tell them that. If they say too bad, don’t get mad. Don’t compare your pay to your friends’. Just do your job professionally – and – starting looking for higher paying jobs elsewhere. You’ve got real career experience now… and it’s valuable somewhere.

I am in a similar situation right now.
I was asked to take on a new role and a significant amount of responsibility. So far it has all been verbal and I anticipate it to occur within a week or two. When I was asked if I wanted to take on the role, I asked if there was a salary increase to go along with the responsibility. I was told yes.
I have asked for the job description and once I get it, I can gear myself up for what I feel is a fair increase in salary.
Asking face to face is a good start, but if they are busy as you say, schedule a 15 minute window to go over things. Bring the memo with you and present it in person as opposed to email.
The responsibility and exposure will carry you far and know that at this stage that this is more important than fighting for net-net salary of previous person. They are giving you the opportunity because they believe in you, but also have to ensure it. You also need to fit into a salary range and you may not know where the previous person fell in that range. You want to be in the medium to low side of that scale so you still have future to grow salary wise.
Best of luck on your new role as it sounds like you deserve it!!!!