---
title: 'Barbara Corcoran Explains How To Ask For A Raise'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=FWxoI0RrPvc'
video_id: 'FWxoI0RrPvc'
date: 2026-06-28
duration_sec: 240
---

# Barbara Corcoran Explains How To Ask For A Raise

> Source: [Barbara Corcoran Explains How To Ask For A Raise](https://youtube.com/watch?v=FWxoI0RrPvc)

## Summary

Barbara Corcoran provides practical advice on how to ask for a raise, emphasizing preparation, specificity, and understanding workplace dynamics. She highlights gender differences in negotiation and offers strategies for both employees and bosses to foster loyalty and fair compensation.

### Key Points

- **Gender Differences in Asking** [0:23] — Women often don't ask for raises unless necessary, while men ask frequently.
- **Strategic Appointment** [0:35] — Make an appointment to ask for a raise, even if you don't expect to get it, to set up future success.
- **List of Responsibilities** [0:47] — Bring a list of original responsibilities and new ones to show increased value.
- **Name a Number** [1:11] — Name a specific number (e.g., 10-15%) when asking for a raise.
- **Handling Rejection** [1:21] — If denied, ask what would merit a raise to create a roadmap for future success.
- **Using a Competing Offer** [1:57] — Use a competing offer as an opener by saying you love the business and asking about future prospects.
- **Litmus Test of Value** [3:09] — The boss's response reveals how valued you are; if not valued, consider leaving.
- **Proactive Boss Strategy** [3:29] — As a boss, raise valued employees before they ask to build loyalty.

## Transcript

Do you really want a raise,
or this is for example?
Interviewer: We all
want to make more money.
Yes, of course.
And I could tell looking
at you, you're underpaid.
Interviewer: Why?
Because you would afford a
much nicer shirt and trousers
if you were making enough money.
Interviewer: Wow.
If you want to get a raise,
and particularly if you're a
woman who wants to get a raise,
women don't ask for raises I can tell you.
I've employed thousands
of women over my life.
They do not ask for raises
unless they absolutely must,
and men ask all the time.
And so, what the smartest
thing to do is, first of all,
make an appointment to ask for a raise,
even if your expectation isn't
that you're gonna get it.
At least ask for it,
because that sets you up
for the next meeting where
you'll likely get it.
And the smartest thing to
do is to walk in with a list
of your responsibilities when
you started at the company,
and then also the list of things
you've taken on since you started.
And simply, make the boss aware
that you have a lot more responsibility.
You're delighted to take it on,
give me more, but I'd
like to be compensated
and to name a number you'd like.
Most women, when they work up to the point
where they'll ask for a raise,
they won't give a number.
"I'd like to get a raise."
Men will walk in and say,
"I'd like to get a raise."
"I'd like it to be around 10, 15 percent."
No qualms.
So, if you're a timid woman,
I think the smart thing to do
is ask, "What would a man do?"
And walk in thinking like a man.
If you don't get the raise,
you have to ask, "What
would merit a raise?"
So that when you come back the next time,
you could say, "Hey,
this is what I've done,"
"I'd like to get that raise."
When someone has come to me
and said they got another offer
for a lot more money from somewhere else,
and it's not followed
up with, "So, goodbye,"
they're looking for something from me.
I never try to buy their loyalty
because I haven't earned
their loyalty, obviously,
and they're on their way out the door,
I'm not gonna stop them with more money.
They're already off my list.
I can't wait for them to go out that door.
It's perfectly acceptable
to go to your boss
and say, "You know, I'm
a little surprised."
"I got an offer for a lot more money,"
"but I'm not taking it
because I love this business."
"But I'm really wondering,
could you level with me"
"as to my future prospects here?"
That's a great opener.
And it's not insulting
and it's not threatening.
And guess what?
You'll get the best out of that boss.
Very, very different than saying,
"You want to pay up?"
The tone is entirely different.
One, the boss wants to measure up.
The other style, the boss wants
to boot you out that door.
I think the piece you have to put in is,
"I got a great offer, I love working here"
"and I plan to stay,"
"but it brings on the table my question,"
"what do you think my prospects here"
"in the future might be?"
That's pretty fair.
If I were a boss, I would go out of my way
to think of how I could push
you ahead, if I value you.
And if my response instead was,
"Well I'm happy to hear
about it, but you know,"
"we pay you fairly and you
have good responsibilities"
"and we're pretty happy,
so do what you want."
Or something like that, I
would know I am not valued,
and I would take the other
job because the one thing
you must be in any position you are,
male, female, whatever level you are,
is you must be valued and
appreciated to be promoted.
It's a great way to go
in and take a litmus test
as to how you are valued
in that boss' eyes,
and your boss has more
to do with your future
than the company you're working for,
your responsibilities and everything else.
If they love you, they
will push you ahead.
I had so many people come and
ask for raises over the years.
Of course, mostly men.
My theory as a boss is,
you get ahead of your valued employees
and you raise them before
they ever get to ask.
Because employees will kill for you,
if you can treat them
with that kind of reverence and respect
and prove it by paying them more.
They'll kill for you.
They're loyal forever.
And I've always been very lucky
to be surrounded by people
that are enormously loyal,
and it's no accident.
Because I make sure I
push money, recognition,
whatever I have, opportunity,
more valuable than raises.
Bonuses, whatever it takes to
make them feel "I am loved."
That's what everybody wants.