How To Write A Salary Increase Letter In Malaysia
This letter will formalise your request and increase your chances of getting a well-deserved raise.
By Kimberly Chang on 2024-08-08 at 2:15 AM
Updated on 2024-08-12 at 2:00 AM
Writing A Salary Increase Letter
Feeling underpaid and undervalued at work? It's fair to say that nobody wants to stay stagnant in their career and go about their day doing the same thing for years on end. At some point, you may realise it's time to ask for a raise and you feel you deserve one. Keep in mind your employer is not going to be able to read your thoughts. Be prepared to make a strong case for yourself through a salary increase letter. If you're someone who gets cold feet easily and stutters your words, it might be easier to request an increment in writing beforehand to support the anxiety-inducing conversation you'll have with your manager about your compensation and remove any possibility of your request not being taken seriously.
This article guides you through the process of crafting a convincing and well-phrased salary increase letter that will help secure the increment you've been waiting for.
What is A Salary Increase Letter?
A salary increase letter is a formal document that you submit to your manager so they can adjust your compensation accordingly to reflect your value in the company. After all, being underpaid can be highly demotivating for an employee, leading to high turnover rates and employee dissatisfaction within the organisation.
The letter usually outlines your accomplishments, highlights your contributions to the company, and provides a rationale for why you believe you deserve an increment. It serves as a professional method to make a strong case for whoever is holding the purse strings to give you a raise prior to having a verbal conversation about it.
Sample Salary Increase Letter
You never want to come across as demanding in a salary increase letter. Having a template to reference can be incredibly helpful. Here's a sample letter to get you started:
Subject line: [Your Name] Salary Increase Request
Dear [Your Manager's Name],
I am writing to formally request an increase in my current salary. As a [job title] with [number of years] years of experience at [Company Name], I believe that I have met and responded to new challenges well. I have always been ready and able when asked to take on additional work and job responsibilities.
In light of my recent accomplishments, I believe a raise of at least [percentage] is justified. For example, over the past year, I have:
[List your accomplishments and gained qualifications]
Thank you in advance for taking the time to consider adjusting my salary. I am open to having a discussion about it in person in order to come to a mutually beneficial agreement that works for everyone.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Components of a Salary Increase Letter
Before you start writing, gather information that will help you justify a raise. You want the person reading this to think, “They've added so much more value to the company since the day they were hired. This seems like a totally valid request given all they have done so far.” The letter should cover the following aspects such as:
- Purpose of writing this letter
- Your best recent accomplishments from the past six months to a year
- Awards or recognition you've received for your work
- Conclusion and a one-paragraph summary of your request
- If applicable, ask to schedule a 1:1 meeting with your manager with a suggested date and time
When to Ask For A Raise?
Raises are usually discussed at the end of your quarterly or yearly performing reviews. Timing-wise, it's best to ask for a raise when sufficient time has elapsed (a year or two at least, depending on the nature of the business), you've recently completed a successful project, and the management is pleased with your overall performance. Visibility is incredibly important; without it, they might not notice your achievements due to their busy schedules.
If you've done all you can but the stars just aren't aligning and the company is unable to meet your needs, now's the time to consider what's best for your career moving forward, on Hiredly.
Don't be afraid to start over with this must-have checklist for jobseekers:
By Kimberly Chang on 2024-08-08 at 2:15 AM