Help me prepare a credible request for a compensation increase. Use only the facts I provide; do not invent results, market figures, responsibilities, or promises. My role and tenure: [ROLE AND TENURE] My documented impact: [ACHIEVEMENTS] My current compensation and requested change: [CURRENT AND REQUESTED PAY] Company context and timing: [COMPANY CONTEXT] Manager and meeting context: [MANAGER CONTEXT] First, identify the strongest 3-4 evidence points. Prioritize measurable business outcomes, increased scope, sustained performance, and work above my current level. Distinguish my direct contribution from team outcomes. If I cite market pay without a reliable source, label it as a claim to verify rather than presenting it as fact. Then produce: 1. A 180-220 word email requesting a meeting, not negotiating the full case by email. 2. A 3-minute meeting script with: appreciation, concise impact summary, clear request, and a direct question about the decision process and timeline. 3. A one-page evidence brief in bullets, grouped under results, expanded scope, and compensation request. 4. Two calm responses each for: “budgets are tight,” “let’s revisit later,” and “this is above the range.” 5. A short follow-up email confirming agreed next steps after the meeting. Keep the tone professional and collaborative, never apologetic or threatening. State the requested amount or range plainly, but do not use another offer as pressure unless I supplied one. Before answering, check that every achievement is supported by my notes and flag missing evidence that would materially strengthen the case. Ask up to 3 clarifying questions only if a required input is missing.
Fill in
| Placeholder | What to enter | Example |
|---|---|---|
| [ROLE AND TENURE] | Enter your job title, department, level, start date, and any major scope changes. | Senior customer success manager at a 120-person SaaS company; joined May 2023; now leads enterprise renewals. |
| [ACHIEVEMENTS] | Enter specific results, projects, responsibilities, and metrics you can support. | Retained 96% of a $2.4M book, raised expansion revenue 18%, created a renewal-risk process used by five CSMs, and took on three enterprise accounts. |
| [CURRENT AND REQUESTED PAY] | Enter your current salary or hourly rate and the raise amount, percentage, or range you plan to request. | Current base salary is $92,000; requesting $105,000 based on expanded enterprise scope. |
| [COMPANY CONTEXT] | Enter relevant budget, review-cycle, performance, market-pay, or business conditions. | Annual reviews are in November; company missed Q1 plan but renewed two major accounts; local salary data is from two current recruiter conversations. |
| [MANAGER CONTEXT] | Enter your manager's role, your relationship, and the planned meeting or review setting. | Manager is VP of Customer Success; supportive but direct; I have a 30-minute quarterly review next Tuesday. |
How to use
- Replace every bracketed field with notes you can substantiate, especially numbers and dates.
- Paste the prompt into your AI tool and save the evidence brief separately from the email.
- Check that the requested pay, scope, and business results are accurate before sending anything.
- Follow up with: “Make the meeting script sound more like my usual speaking style while keeping the request direct.”
Variations
Meeting request only
Use this when you only need an email that opens the conversation.
Write three versions of a raise-meeting request email using the facts below. Keep each version 90-120 words, name the reason as my contribution and expanded scope, and ask for a 30-minute conversation. Do not negotiate the amount in the email or imply an ultimatum. Give one direct, one warm, and one formal version. [ROLE] [KEY RESULTS] [MANAGER NAME] [MEETING TIMING] Use only supplied facts. Flag any claim that sounds unsupported.
Promotion case
Use this when the raise is tied to a higher-level role.
Build a promotion-and-compensation case from my evidence. Compare my current responsibilities with the target-level expectations I provide, showing where I already perform at that level and what gaps remain. Produce a one-page case, a 2-minute manager script, and three questions about the promotion process. Do not claim I meet an expectation without evidence. [CURRENT ROLE] [TARGET ROLE EXPECTATIONS] [WORK EXAMPLES] [REQUESTED COMPENSATION] [REVIEW TIMELINE]
Written form response
Use this for an HR compensation form or written review field.
Draft a concise compensation-review statement for a formal HR form. Write 220-280 words with sections for business impact, increased scope, compensation request, and discussion request. Make measurable outcomes prominent and separate verified facts from market context. Avoid emotional appeals, comparisons to coworkers, and unsupported salary data. [ROLE] [ACCOMPLISHMENTS] [NEW RESPONSIBILITIES] [CURRENT PAY] [REQUEST]
Tips
- Ask for a meeting before sending a long compensation argument; it lets your manager explain the approval path and constraints.
- Use metrics with a baseline and time period, such as renewal rate before and after your process change, rather than isolated percentages.
- Make the raise request match the decision system: annual review, off-cycle adjustment, promotion process, or a defined salary band.
- If the answer is deferred, leave with a specific owner, evidence gap, decision date, and next meeting on the calendar.
FAQ
Should I include a specific number in a raise request?
Usually yes in the meeting or formal request. A clear salary or range prevents a vague conversation, but support it with your scope and results.
Can AI estimate my market value?
Treat AI output as a research outline, not evidence. Verify pay ranges with recent, relevant sources before citing them.
What if my manager cannot approve raises?
Ask who owns the decision, what criteria they use, and when the request can be reviewed. Send a short written recap afterward.