How to Ask for a Raise―and Get It!

It has been a slow and sluggish economy and, quite frankly, a rough couple of years for most veterinary practices. As a veterinary team member, you may have seen your pay frozen in time because of all the uncertainty, but as things begin to thaw and your practice becomes busier, it may be time to discuss your earning potential with your boss.

Before requesting a pay raise, however, do your research.

• Does your practice have a formal plan for giving raises? Many veterinary hospitals have specific guidelines for motivated employees to increase their pay as they master specific skills or complete CE courses relative to their job duties. Find out if your practice has a skills-based pay-rate schedule; if it does, earning your raise will be in the palm of your hand. You do the work―you earn your raise! In addition, VHMA members (either you or your hospital) can download examples of skills-based pay-rate charts from the VHMA MemberConnect online resources library.

• Does the practice give raises at a specific time each year, or are they associated with the annual review process? At many progressive veterinary practices, the entire team receives an annual raise based on the practice’s goals and growth. Every employee gets the same percentage rate increase. With open-book management and regular postings of the practice’s progress, team members have more control and can predict the amount of their raises.

If the practice does not have a formal process, then you may need to step up to the plate and ask for a raise. Preparing ahead for this conversation will increase chances of a favorable outcome:

• What have you done for the practice that merits a pay increase? Make a list of all the things you have done that went above and beyond your role at the practice, including ideas that led to new service areas or “scheduling" new clients. Be sure to highlight these things for your boss.

• Make the conversation about you and your performance. When you sit down to have this conversation, the last thing you should do is compare yourself to coworkers. Make this about you and only you. Why do you love coming to work? What have you done for the practice? What do you plan to do in the coming year that warrants a pay increase? If you stay focused on yourself and the practice, your boss is much more likely to be receptive to the request, especially when tied to tangible things you do every day to improve the practice.

• Be prepared for the answer to be “No”. The worst that can happen is that your boss turns down the request. If she or he does, respond in a positive manner and do not sulk, mope, or express disappointment. Instead, ask what you need to do to get that raise. If you know what you need to do, then you have the power to make it happen.

Once you are prepared, ask for a meeting; if you can meet privately and talk one-on-one with the practice owner or manager, you are showing respect and professionalism. You are also increasing the likelihood for success with their undivided attention.

Start by letting your boss know how much you appreciate her or his support. Be up front, ask for a raise, and then explain why you believe you deserve it. You will likely leave the meeting with either a raise, or a plan for attaining a raise. Either way, you have taken a crucial step in managing your financial future!