Dear Jobs Guru: ‘My employer is strapped for cash – but I want a pay rise!’

I haven't had a pay rise in six years. My company, like many, has been having financial problems so I completely understand why they haven't been able to give pay rises.

But the cost-of-living crisis has made things difficult and I really need to earn more money. How can I bring this up in my next performance review?

I can understand your apprehension about asking for a pay rise when the business you work for has been having a tough time financially.

My advice is to put the business’s financial position out of your mind and to focus on you and your role in the organisation – and to not lose sight of what your market value might be were you to ‘jump ship’ and find work elsewhere.

The way to handle your request should be no different from any request for a pay rise. It all hinges on your putting together a brief – but firm – case as to why you feel a pay rise is justified, clearly documenting your past performance and contribution to the organisation but also outlining how you anticipate adding value in the future.

I would hope that the management would look favourably on your request and, in particular, not overlook the fact that you have stuck with the business and helped to see them through these difficult times, even if it has come at your own expense.

If they don’t then it’s evidently time to look elsewhere before you find yourself in a career rut, out of which it will be increasingly difficult to emerge.

If you can demonstrate that your true worth to an organisation is beyond what they are currently paying you then they’d be foolish not to grant you a pay rise!

Whether it’s a pay rise you’re after, or even a promotion, you need to try to demonstrate to your employer the contribution you make to their organisation over and above their core expectations. You need to demonstrate what you’ve achieved. You need to demonstrate what you’re really worth.

What progress have you made? What value do you add to the business? What examples can you cite to back up your claims?

The answers to these questions will be different for everyone. You need to think through your own answers – clearly and concisely – because they will be fundamental to the ‘pitch’ you make to your employer.

(Yes, you might think it should be blatantly obvious to your boss what you’ve achieved – but don’t count on it!)