Careers advice

Salary Secrets: Anonymous Pay Rise Stories

Here to help you get paid what you're worth.

8 March 2023

In a bid to help people get paid what they’re worth, we asked fellow Kiwi to anonymously share how they've gone about pay rise conversations.

Many of us will know the feeling, butterflies in the stomach, nerves bubbling up as we finally pluck up the courage to ask for that pay rise. We want to help you overcome those nerves and feel confident going into pay-related conversations through the stories of others.

Here are some of the scenarios these anonymous stories will cover.

Asking for a pay rise…

When you take on more responsibility
During a standard review process
When being promoted
When starting a new job

We’ve also included some bonus tips at the end!

When you take on more responsibility

Pay rise requested: $30,000 (33% increase)

How did you go about asking?

After researching the job market, I realised that my current salary was below the industry standard. Despite this, I took on additional responsibilities beyond my job description and exceeded role expectations, which demonstrated significant growth and added value to the company. I requested a 25% pay raise, but was willing to negotiate for a 20% increase. Meanwhile, I also applied for a position at another company to explore my options. To my surprise, I received an offer with a 45% salary increase. When I shared this with my current employer, they made a counteroffer of 33% increase. Ultimately, I decided to stay with my current company.

Learnings:

Recognise your value and if another employer offers more, consider accepting it. Take the job offer and present it to your current employer to gauge their response. The worst outcome is they decline to match the offer, in which case you may need to consider leaving. However, if you're then unhappy in the new job you can move again.

Pay rise requested: $2 per hour, $4 per hour given (20% increase)

How did you go about asking?

As a pre-read to an annual review, I asked my manager for a 10% pay rise as I'd taken on more responsibilities, and had become far more efficient in carrying out the core parts of the role. This was the first time I'd ever asked for a pay rise and my manager said "we're not going to be able to give you 10%... because that number doesn't reflect how much you've grown in the role and what you contribute to the team. We're going to give you 20%". I was really surprised and so glad I asked.

Learnings

I had a feeling I would have gotten the 10% if I didn't ask, but by asking for the raise, and detailing how I'm becoming more valuable in the role, I surfaced a few things my manager may not have initially thought of. It seems like a small amount of money now, but getting into the habit of asking for a pay rise, and justifying why you're doing so is a priceless career mindset.

Read: 10 signs you’re being underpaid (and what you can do about it)

“Getting into the habit of asking for a pay rise, and justifying why you're doing so, is a priceless career mindset.”

Keep communications open with your manager regarding pay, if you've taken on more responsibility, your pay should reflect that.

During a standard review process

Pay rise requested: $10,000 ($10% increase)

How did you go about asking?

At the end of a regular meeting with my manager, I asked (with a bit of a laugh, because, nerves), "With the upcoming reviews – I'd love to be considered for a pay rise, as I feel the work I've done has been at a level that is a bit higher than where I am now and I would love to see that reflected"

Learnings:

These conversations don't need to be scary! They are a very expected conversation between a manager and their direct report, I didn't need to wait so long to approach the topic.

“These conversations don't need to be scary! They are a very expected conversation between manager and their direct report, I didn't need to wait so long to approach the topic.”

Pay rise requested: $10,000 (20% increase)

How did you go about asking?

During the conversation, I used examples of how I was exceeding expectations based on my job description and their expectations of me.

I didn’t get the pay rise initially (this was a three month review) but I did get a $5k pay rise at my six month review, and then a few months later I got a $10k pay rise as I was taking on more responsibility and they knew I had worked for it.

Learnings:

Only ask for a pay rise if you truly believe the work you're doing deserves one. Research the average salary in your field and talk to your friends to find out if you're getting paid fairly before asking. Be able to showcase concrete examples of why your work is beyond expectations and therefore deserving of a pay rise.

Keen to see how your salary stacks up?

Check out our free Salary Guide, featuring up-to-date salary data across a wide range of industries.

Compare your salary

When being promoted

Pay rise requested: $30,000 (60% increase)

How did you go about asking?

I was in a junior role but was fulfilling a more senior role, and I knew the company had no intention to hire. I raised this with my manager, along with clear outlines of how I contributed well above my current role. I also researched how much a senior role was being paid. After lengthy conversations and ongoing negotiations, we agreed on a promotion, with a pay increase of $30,000.

“Looking and applying for other roles is a good way to test your worth in the market and will show your employer that you’re serious.”

Learnings:

Don’t give up, if it’s not an easy or straightforward ‘yes’, keep persisting with your negotiations, be confident in your research and your reasoning. If they can’t offer you the salary, there may be other benefits they could offer you, or they could create a plan for you to tick the boxes for you to get the pay rise. Looking and applying for other roles is a good way to test your worth in the market and will show your employer that you’re serious.

We often overthink these conversations, but they don't need to be stressful, especially if you are well prepared.

When starting a new job

Pay rise requested: $5,000, $15,000 given (18% increase)

How did you go about asking?

When starting a new job, they asked me what my salary expectations were. I went $5k above my current salary (thinking that was a big step up!) They came back to me with an offer of $15k above my current salary and I happily accepted it.

Learnings:

In hindsight, I should have negotiated higher!

Read: 8 crucial salary negotiation tips for your next job offer (with examples)

Bonus tips

Tips from our anonymous submissions:

If it's at a new company then never take the first offer – ever. I have seen people miss out on $5,000+ by doing this. If you ask for more and they say no and you're happy with the offered amount then take it… but you have to at least try to get more.
Often, unfortunately, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Managers expect these conversations, so try not to get too worked up about them - the worst thing they can say is no. And if it is no, they’ll often give you things to work on.
If you're already at a company, then put in writing all the value you bring and how much you want – also go high as you will likely not get the full amount. For example, ask for 15k more and you will hopefully get 10k.
Don't push current companies to a point where it's unprofessional – a lot of the time it's not your manager who decides on the pay increase. They can only recommend it and then the final decision sits with their boss or higher.
During your negotiations, be prepared with all your reasons, lay them out on the table and then leave a moment of silence – don’t feel you need to keep talking to fill in the gaps – that’s when you may start doubting yourself and backtracking. Let them soak in all the information and respond.
If you've been at one company for a long time (3+ years) then go high and hard with your asks, as you're likely being underpaid compared to others. It's okay to leave a job if they don't see how much you bring to the table – at the end of the day, you’re accountable for your pay, happiness and getting what's owed to you.
Be nice to yourself, your pay doesn't define your value as a human.

Author

Hannah Hilliam

Hannah Hilliam is a Trade Me staff writer who contributes to Trade Me Property and Jobs. She is passionate about making big life moments enjoyable. Her focus is on providing useful information that makes those daunting tasks, well, less daunting.