Salary Raise Negotiation Checklist

14 items · Productivity · Medium difficulty · 1 hour

Practical steps to prepare and confidently ask for a salary raise.

• Research market salary ranges for your role and location

  Use Glassdoor, LinkedIn, Payscale; note ranges for your level and city.

• Compile at least three salary benchmarks with sources and links

  Record site, reported range, exact URL, and date found.

• List your top 6–8 achievements with metrics and dates

  Focus on measurable results and business impact.

• Quantify the impact for each achievement (dollars, % change, KPIs)

  Include baseline, result, and timeframe for each metric.

• Write a concise 3–4 line value summary linking achievements to goals

  Tie your contributions to company objectives and future value.

• Set your target salary and minimum acceptable salary (anchor and walk-away)

  Choose an ambitious ask and a realistic floor before negotiating.

• Calculate your total compensation target including benefits

  Estimate bonus, equity, PTO, and benefits in dollar terms.

• Choose the best timing for your request (after a win or review)

  Prefer recent wins, completed projects, or scheduled reviews.

• Request a meeting with your manager and share the agenda

  Ask for 30–60 minutes and state it's to discuss compensation.

• Prepare a clear opening statement stating your ask and evidence

  Lead with your anchor, top achievements, and business impact.

• Rehearse likely objections and role-play responses

  Practice tone, phrasing, and handling pushback with a friend.

• Prepare alternative negotiation items (bonus, equity, PTO, training)

  List non-salary asks and estimate their value to you.

• Draft counter-offer scenarios and decide acceptable concessions

  Define best, acceptable, and walk-away outcomes (A/B/C scenarios).

• Follow up with a written summary and confirm next steps after the meeting

  Summarize agreed numbers, timelines, and next actions in email.

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