How do I ask for a raise at work?

Choose a good time to have the conversation, ideally after a recent win or during a scheduled review, not when your manager is stressed or busy. Do your research beforehand by looking up market rates for your role using sites like Glassdoor or LinkedIn Salary so you can anchor your request to real numbers. When you ask, be direct and specific. Say something like "I'd like to discuss adjusting my salary to X based on my contributions and current market rates." Then back it up with concrete examples of your impact, like projects you led, revenue you generated, or problems you solved. Avoid making it emotional or comparing yourself to coworkers. Be prepared to negotiate and give your manager time to consider it.