Career & interviews · Salary Negotiation
How to ask for a raise: practice with Controller Rick Alvarez
Ask in a scheduled one-on-one, lead with two or three results you can measure, name a specific number backed by pay data for your role and city, and then stop talking. If the answer is “no budget,” ask what it would take and agree in writing on a date to revisit it. Practice with Rick Alvarez, a controller who likes you but says there’s no budget this year.
No signup: 4 free rounds now (a round is one back-and-forth). A free account gives you 7. Then $4.99 for 100 rounds, one time. No subscription.
Updated October 2026
Who it's for
Who this practice is for
- You are a senior accountant at a 200-person company and make $72,000.
- Your last raise was 3% two years ago and you want $80,000 now.
- You closed the books 3 days faster and took over payroll when a coworker left.
- You want to ask for $77,000 plus a review in 6 months if $80,000 is too much.
What happens
How a session goes
- Controller Rick Alvarez speaks first and asks what number you had in mind.
- He pushes back and says there is no budget, even though he likes you.
- The talk ends with him naming a final package, item by item.
Real lines from a test session
What Controller Rick Alvarez said in a test session
“Your note said you want to talk about your pay. What number did you have in mind?”
“I'm going to need more than vague memory of a job board. That range you mentioned starts well above what you're asking.”
“That's a solid plan. Good luck next week. I'll keep some room in the budget if your numbers match up. Get that data and we'll talk.”
From a test session of this practice in the app, lightly trimmed. Your session goes its own way: the character reacts to what you say.
The scorecard
What the scorecard looked like for Asking for a Raise
“Um, well, I was hoping maybe $80,000?”
You gave a hesitant, vague number without justification, inviting the boss to dismiss it.
Try instead: “Based on my faster close and added payroll duties, I'm asking $80,000—here's the data I found.”
What went well: You accepted the boss's offer to reconvene and commit to bringing data, showing you can follow up.
Real scorecard output from one of our test runs. In test runs the practice answers are written by a test script, not by a customer.
What good looks like
What a strong answer does here
- You lead with results: closing the books 3 days faster and taking over payroll.
- You name a specific number, like $80,000 now, or $77,000 plus a review in 6 months.
- You bring market data showing $78,000 to $85,000 for your role.
- You handle 'no budget' with options: timing, title, or a dated review.
Scored on:
- Anchoring
- Evidence
- Outcome
- Poise
Common mistakes
Weak lines, and what to say instead
Weak: “I really need this raise because my rent went up.”
Better: “I closed the books 3 days faster and took over payroll. My market range is $78,000 to $85,000, so I'm asking for $80,000.”
Personal need is not a business case.
Weak: “Can you give me a raise?”
Better: “I'd like to move to $80,000 now. If that's not possible, let's plan for $77,000 with a review in 6 months.”
A vague ask gives nothing to say yes to.
Weak: “I think I deserve more money.”
Better: “I took over payroll when a coworker left and closed the books 3 days faster. Market data puts my role at $78,000 to $85,000.”
Evidence beats opinion.
Weak: “If you don't give me a raise, I'll have to look elsewhere.”
Better: “I want to keep growing here. Can we agree on a dated review in 6 months if $80,000 isn't possible today?”
Ultimatums hurt the relationship.
Ask Your Boss for a Raise: start talking in a few seconds. Your own side stays yours to fill in.
Try it free, no signupMake this useful for your next conversation
Your salary negotiation practice plan
- Make an evidence-based request
- Trade compensation and other terms
- Summarize the actual offer
Start with a free worksheet, then test your own response with a voice or text roleplay. Your first complete coaching report is free once across all areas. Create a free account to save your goal, actual words, and downloadable notes.
Need repeated practice? $4.99 once buys 100 rounds across every mode and full coaching on every report. Rounds never expire; no subscription is required.
FAQ
Questions about Asking for a Raise
Who is Controller Rick Alvarez?
He is your boss in this practice. He likes you but says there is no budget. He is about 40 and speaks first. He negotiates with you and at the end states a final package item by item. Try it free →
What if my boss says there's no budget for a raise?
Ask what it would take and when budgets are set, then ask for a dated plan: a specific number at the next review, a title change now, or other items like extra time off or training. Getting the plan in an email afterward turns “not now” into a commitment you can point to later. Try it free →
What should I lead with?
Lead with results. For example, you closed the books 3 days faster and took over payroll. Then give a specific number, like $80,000 now or $77,000 plus a review in 6 months. Try it free →
When is the best time to ask for a raise?
A few weeks before budgets or reviews are set, or right after a clear win, such as a finished project or new responsibility. Avoid busy deadline weeks and the day after bad company news. Ask for a meeting in advance so your manager has time to listen instead of reacting in the hallway. Try it free →
Try Ask Your Boss for a Raise free
4 free rounds now, no signup. 7 with a free account. Then $4.99 for 100 rounds, one time, with no subscription. Plans are there if you practice every day.
Try it free, no signupBuilt by Matthew, a solo founder. Questions? Email support@getadversaryai.com, I read every message.