Many of you have certainly encountered this. You have been in your job for some time and feel that you have already learnt enough. So the time has come to ask for a pay rise. But how to do it without seeming cheeky, or so that your boss does not turn you away at the door? In the following paragraphs, we will simply explain when it is and, conversely, when it is not appropriate to ask for a pay rise.
Is it appropriate to ask for a pay rise right after the probationary period?
First of all, it depends on what you agreed on when you started. As a rule, if you are in an employment relationship, you have a pay rise specified in your contract. In this case, do not go to your boss with a request for more money.
Example:
Your starting salary is 30,000 CZK (about 1,400 USD). The probationary period usually lasts 3 months. In the employment contract signed by you and the employer, there is a clause stating that after the probationary period ends, the salary automatically increases by 5,000 CZK (about 230 USD). We recommend checking this fact on your payslip.
If, for example, you work for someone under a contract for work and are thus a self-employed person (osoba samostatně výdělečně činná, OSVČ), the agreement can sometimes be more difficult to enforce because no one guarantees your salary. It is purely about trust in the person you work for.
We can summarise that a pay rise during the probationary period is therefore usually automatic and there is no need to worry too much about it.
But what about other cases?
After how long should you ask for another pay rise and how should you go about it? We will look at several examples of when it is appropriate to ask for more money.
The first suitable time when you can ask for more money is after one year in your current position. Over that year, you have already learnt many skills that you need to do your job. It is therefore appropriate for your salary to be increased.
Another suitable time can be after increasing your qualifications. For example, completing university or another course that helped you broaden your horizons in your current profession.
The beginning or end of the year, or the period when your boss sets a higher budget for the next period. This can also be a suitable time, because your superior is determining how much money they will need for operations. If you ask for more money at this time in an appropriate way, they may well actually give you a raise.
But how do you ask for the money?
Here, you certainly need to act confidently and have arguments prepared as to why your boss should give you a raise. The strongest ones will certainly include:
- trouble-free handling of tasks on time
- independence in completing tasks (you have already learnt the processes that need to be known)
- increasing qualifications through practice or a course
- ideas you have contributed to your team
- concrete results (successful projects or other appreciable and tangible results)
- good relationships in the workplace (you are helpful to colleagues, superiors and other workers you come into contact with)
Try to stick to these basic rules that we have described in this article. We are almost certain that your boss will give you a raise soon. You can also read how to manage money, to be sufficiently financially literate, or how to invest small amounts.
How to ask for a raise at work step by step
Good arguments work best when you prepare them in advance and present them in a clear order. The following steps will help you go into the conversation calm and well prepared.
- Find out what similar roles pay. Look at job adverts, salary surveys from recruitment agencies and conversations with people in your field.
- Write down your results. List what you achieved over the past year, ideally with numbers, such as projects completed, costs saved or new clients won.
- Decide on a figure. Know the amount you want and the lowest amount you would accept before you walk in.
- Ask for a dedicated meeting. Do not raise the topic in passing in the corridor. A short meeting shows that you take it seriously.
- Present your case and listen. Explain your results calmly, state your figure, then let your boss respond.
- Agree on next steps. Clarify when any change would take effect and ask for it to be confirmed in writing.
How much of a raise should you ask for
There is no universal figure. It depends on your field, the financial situation of your employer and how your current pay compares with the market. Base your request on what comparable roles pay rather than on your personal expenses. Your boss is more likely to accept the argument that the role is worth more than the argument that your rent has gone up.
It often helps to open slightly above your target so that there is room to negotiate. For example, if you earn 50,000 USD a year and would be happy with 54,000 USD, you might start at 55,000 USD. Avoid unrealistic demands, as they can end the conversation before it starts.
How to ask for a raise in writing
A face-to-face conversation is usually more effective, but a written request makes sense if you work remotely or your boss prefers email. Keep it short. State that you would like to discuss your pay, summarise your main results in a few sentences and suggest a time to meet. Leave the detailed negotiation for the meeting itself. Once you reach an agreement, a brief written summary helps prevent misunderstandings later.
Common mistakes when asking for a pay rise
- Threatening to leave when you are not actually prepared to do so.
- Comparing yourself with the salary of a specific colleague.
- Asking at a bad moment, for example right after the company announces poor results or during a busy crisis.
- Arriving without concrete examples or numbers to support your request.
- Taking a refusal personally. A no today can become a yes later if you ask what you need to improve and when you can discuss it again.
Frequently asked questions about asking for a raise
When is the best time to ask for a raise?
Good moments include your annual review, the period when budgets for the next year are being set, or shortly after you have delivered a clear success. Avoid times when your employer is cutting costs or your boss is under heavy pressure.
How often should you ask for a raise?
Asking about once a year is generally reasonable. Asking every few months tends to weaken your position, because there has not been enough time to show new results. An exception is a significant change in your role, such as taking on new responsibilities or managing a team.
How do you ask your boss for a raise without seeming pushy?
Focus on the value you bring rather than on your personal needs. Ask for a dedicated meeting, present your results calmly and give your boss time to respond. If the answer is no, ask what you would need to achieve and agree on when to talk again.
USD amounts are approximate, converted at the Czech National Bank rate of 21.80 CZK per USD on 2 October 2026.
