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Career Coaching Insight • 2026

Career Coaches Share a Simple System People Use to Ask for a Raise (Without Awkwardness)

A step-by-step approach to salary conversations—plus a tool that generates a personalized negotiation letter and talking points in minutes.

Author headshot
By Jordan Reed • Career Coach
Updated • 7 min read
Try the Free Negotiation Letter
Best for
Performance reviews + promotion talks
Fastest win
Letter + talking points in minutes
Why it works
Structure + confidence + clarity

In coaching sessions, I see the same pattern: people do the work, take on more responsibility, but hesitate to ask for a raise because they don’t want it to feel confrontational. The solution isn’t “be more confident.” It’s having a clear, simple structure—what to say, when to say it, and how to back it up.

Coach’s note
The best raise conversations feel calm and professional because they follow a plan: value → evidence → ask → next step.

Why most raise requests fail

Most people either ask too vaguely (“I’d like a raise”) or overload the conversation with emotion instead of evidence. Coaches recommend keeping it simple:

  • Define your value: impact, ownership, outcomes
  • Bring proof: wins, metrics, responsibilities added
  • Make a specific ask: a number or range + timeline
  • Agree on next steps: decision date + criteria

The 3-step system coaches use

1
Clarify your target
Know the raise amount or range and why it’s justified.
2
Prepare the script
Write a short message + talking points that stay professional and direct.
3
Practice objections
Plan responses for “not now,” “budget,” and “we’ll see.”

Where get-my-raise.com fits in

Tools like get-my-raise.com help people skip the blank-page problem by generating:

Personalized negotiation letter
A clear, professional request you can send or adapt.
Talking points + script
What to say in the meeting—without rambling.
Objection responses
Calm replies to the most common pushbacks.
Next-step plan
A follow-up timeline so you don’t get “stuck.”
Want the exact letter + script?
Generate a free negotiation letter in about 2 minutes.
Try It Free

What “real results” look like

A raise tool works when it changes behavior: clearer asks, better timing, stronger evidence, and consistent follow-ups. Here’s what coaches recommend tracking:

Did you request a specific number or range?
Did you document 3–5 measurable wins?
Did you schedule a decision date or follow-up?
Did you prepare responses to objections?

Quick testimonials (example format)

“I finally had a clean script to follow. The conversation felt calm instead of awkward.”
— Product Manager, Austin
“The letter helped me ask clearly, and the follow-up plan kept it moving.”
— Analyst, Remote
“I stopped overexplaining. Short, direct, professional. Huge difference.”
— Designer, NYC

FAQ

Is the negotiation letter really free?
You can offer a free letter as the starting point. If you later add premium coaching features, keep the free letter available as the entry.
What if my manager says “not now”?
The best move is to ask for criteria and a date: “What would you need to see from me, and when can we revisit this?”
When should I ask for a raise?
After measurable wins, when scope has increased, or during review cycles. Avoid surprise asks without evidence.

Bottom line

Salary conversations go better when you bring structure. If you want a starting point you can actually use, get-my-raise.com can generate a negotiation letter and script in minutes.

Generate Your Free Negotiation Letter
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