Career coach who helped Google, Amazon, and Microsoft employees get salary hikes shares tips

Career coach Melody Wilding shared tips that have helped her clients get the promotions and raises they deserve. (Image credit: LinkedIn, AFP)

If you think that the time to ask for a pay hike is right before the appraisal season, career coach Melody Wilding says it's a myth. After having helped employees at Google, Amazon, and Microsoft negotiate with their bosses for a raise, Wilding has a few tips for professionals.

Speaking with CNBC Make It, she said that employees' performance review isn’t when decisions are made — it’s when decisions are communicated. Wilding estimated that by the time review conversations happen, 85 percent of decisions about promotions are locked in.

"I call this the 'performance review paradox'," she said. "While you’re focused on nailing that one big conversation, the real groundwork for your advancement is being laid in hundreds of small moments throughout the year."

Wilding shared three tips that have helped her clients get the promotions and raises they deserve.

1.) Use "pre-suasion"

It involves subtly influencing the perceptions and attitudes of your boss, other superiors, and colleagues so that when you formally ask for a promotion, it feels like a sensible progression rather than a surprising leap, Wilding told the publication.

"For example," she said, "When your boss mentions a new initiative during your one-on-one, you might say: 'Great to hear we’re expanding into AI. I’ve been researching this, and I see ways to scale our approach. I’d love to take on more strategic planning in this area'."

2.) Get a clear agreement

Wilding suggests employees talk about what additional responsibilities a promotion would bring forth before asking for one.  "When your manager outlines their criteria, they’re not only implicitly agreeing that promotion is possible, but they’ve also become more invested in your development because they helped design it," she told CNBC Make It.

3.) Ask for a fair raise

"Humans are hardwired for fairness and reciprocity," Wilding told the publication. That's why asking for a raise that justifies your new responsibilities is effective. "You’re not asking for more money — you’re simply pointing out that your pay should match the new level you’re operating at."