How to ask for a pay rise without fear: a 3‑minute script

You’ve been working hard. Taking on extra tasks. Staying late. Delivering results. But when it comes to asking for more money, your throat closes up. You imagine your boss laughing, saying no, or worse — revealing that you’re actually overpaid. So you stay silent. Another year goes by. Inflation eats your salary. And you resent yourself for not speaking up. This is incredibly common. A 2023 survey by the Australian HR Institute found that 62% of employees have never asked for a raise, and among those who have, nearly half waited more than two years to do so. The number one reason? Fear of rejection. But here’s the truth that career coach Michael Tran from Melbourne (who has coached over 1,000 professionals) wants you to know: most bosses expect you to ask, and a well‑prepared request is rarely refused outright. Even if they can’t give you the full amount, the conversation itself puts you on the radar for future increases. Silence, on the other hand, guarantees nothing.

Tran has developed a simple, three‑minute script that removes the emotional drama. It’s based on psychology: bosses respond to data, not feelings. If you walk in crying about rent or loyalty, you’ll get sympathy but not a cheque. If you walk in with numbers showing what you’ve saved or earned the company, you’ll get respect — and often a raise.

The 3‑minute script (memorise it)

Minute 1: State your value in one sentence.
“Over the past [time period], I’ve [specific achievement with numbers].”
Example: “Over the past six months, I’ve increased our social media engagement by 40% and brought in three new clients worth $15,000 per month.”