What to say when asking for a raise
Get a confident, evidence-based script for your salary increase conversation. Fill in your details below, copy the prompt, and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini.
Asking for a raise is one of the conversations most professionals dread and most handle poorly. The two most common mistakes are either over-apologizing and softening the ask to the point of ambiguity, or leading with personal need rather than professional value. "I need more money" is not a business case. "I have delivered X and Y, and I want to bring my compensation in line with my contribution and the market" is one.
The conversations that go well are prepared ones. Know the specific number you want, have evidence for why you deserve it, and know what you will do if the answer is no. Your manager almost certainly needs to make a case to someone else on your behalf, so you are not just asking them, you are giving them the material to advocate for you.
Fill in your role, what you have delivered, the number you are asking for, and your relationship with your manager. The prompt below will write a script you can say in the conversation or use to prepare for it.
Fill in your details
Your prompt
You are helping me prepare to ask my manager for a raise. Here are my details: Role: [ROLE] Company: [COMPANY] Time in role: [TIMEFRAME] Key achievements: [ACHIEVEMENTS] Target increase: [TARGET] Write a professional script for this salary conversation. Include: how to open the conversation, how to present my case using my achievements and market value, and how to respond if my manager pushes back or says "not right now." Keep the tone assertive but collaborative.
Copy this prompt and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or any AI tool.
Tips for this conversation
- 1Schedule a dedicated meeting. Do not ask in passing or at the end of a 1:1.
- 2Prepare three specific examples of your impact before the conversation.
- 3Research market rates on Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, or LinkedIn Salary beforehand.
Common questions
What is the best way to open a salary conversation?+
Reference your performance or a recent achievement. Avoid phrases like "I need more money." Frame it around your contribution and market rate for your role.
What if my manager says no?+
Ask what specific targets or timelines would support a future increase. Get it in writing as a goal. This turns a "no" into a clear roadmap.
Should I give a specific number or a range?+
Give a specific number. Ranges anchor to the lower end. Say "I am targeting a 15% increase," not "somewhere between 10 and 20 percent."
How do I use this prompt?+
Fill in your details using the form above. The placeholders in the prompt update live as you type. When you are ready, click “Copy prompt” and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or any AI tool. The AI will write a personalised script based on your specific situation.
Which AI tool works best for these conversation scripts?+
Claude and ChatGPT both work well. Claude tends to produce more nuanced, natural-sounding language that is closer to how people actually speak. ChatGPT is strong for structured, direct output. Try both with your details and compare the results.
Should I use the AI output word for word?+
Use it as a strong draft, then edit it to sound like you. The AI gives you the structure and language to work from. Reading it out loud before the actual conversation is one of the best ways to catch anything that does not feel natural for your voice.
Can I adapt the prompt for a written message instead of a conversation?+
Yes. Before copying the prompt, add a line specifying the format you need: “Write this as an email” or “Write this as a short Slack message.” The variants above also cover different tones and formats for many situations.
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