You've been at this job for three months. You show up. You cover shifts when they need someone. You do the things nobody else volunteers for. And for the last couple of weeks, you've been sitting on a thought you haven't said out loud: you want more hours. Or more pay. Maybe both.
The problem isn't what you want. It's how to ask.
Here's something most people don't tell you: asking is a skill. Adults aren't naturally good at it either. The conversation feels awkward regardless of how old you are. The difference is that most adults have done it enough times to know it doesn't end them.
You haven't done it yet. Here is how to do it well.
Earn the Ask First
Before you walk into any conversation about more hours or more pay, ask yourself one honest question: has my manager ever had to chase me down for something? Have I shown up late? Needed to be reminded twice?
If yes, fix that first. You can't make a strong case for more when the baseline isn't solid.
But if you've been reliable, done what's asked, and gone a bit beyond what was required? That is your foundation. The conversation works when you have something to point to.
Most managers pay attention to who handles the slow days, the boring tasks, the moments when nobody seems to be watching. That's the track record you want behind you when you ask.
Timing Matters More Than the Script
Don't ask when your manager is in the middle of something. Don't ask at the end of a rough shift. Don't ask on the busiest day of the week.
The right moment is a quiet one. After a solid shift when things went well. When you see your manager with a few minutes to spare. You can even set it up simply: "Is there a good time this week to chat for a few minutes?" That tells them it's coming, and it signals that you're professional enough not to just ambush them.
What to Actually Say
People overthink this part. Keep it short.
For more hours:
"I've been enjoying working here and I'm hoping to pick up more shifts. Is there room for me on [the days you're available]?"
That's it. No need to explain your whole situation. You're saying you want to work, you're available, and you're asking if there's room.
For a raise:
This one takes a bit more groundwork. Know how long you've been there and what you've done in that time. In Ontario, minimum wage is reviewed periodically, so know where your rate sits relative to that. Then ask plainly:
"I've been here [a few months / close to a year] and I've been keeping up with [a responsibility or two worth mentioning]. I wanted to ask if there's room to review my hourly rate."
Notice what's not in that sentence: no ultimatums, no comparisons to what someone else earns, no "I deserve this." That framing closes doors before the conversation starts.
Make it easy for your manager to say yes. Give them a reason, make it a request, keep it calm. That is the whole approach.
What to Do When the Answer Is No
This is what most people are actually scared of. Let's deal with it directly.
If the answer is no to more hours, follow up: "Is there anything I can do to be first in line when shifts open up?" That tells them you're still committed.
If the answer is no to a raise, ask: "What would I need to show you for that to change?" A good manager will give you an honest answer. Now you have something specific to work toward.
"No" is not a verdict on your value as a person. Most of the time it has more to do with the business than with you. Hours are tied to how busy the place is. Raises are often tied to budget cycles your manager can't control. The answer might be no right now and yes in four months.
How you handle the rejection tells your employer something important about you. Leave the conversation gracefully, say thank you, and go back to work the same way you were working before you walked in. That response is rarer than you'd think. It gets noticed.
Why Humility Goes Further Than Confidence
You'll hear advice to "be confident" and "know your worth." Both are fine as far as they go. Humility will take you further, especially when you're new.
Humility in a job conversation looks like this: you know what you've done, you can speak to it plainly, and you're still open to what your manager sees that you don't. They know things you don't. The budget. The schedule demands. Who else asked this week.
Going in with that posture keeps it as a real conversation. You can hear what comes back without it feeling like a verdict.
There is a line in Scripture about workers being worthy of their wages. Your work genuinely matters. You're allowed to ask for fair pay for it. But the same tradition is clear that pride tends to precede a fall, and the person who walks in assuming they're owed something usually walks out with less than they wanted. Ask for what's fair. Hold the outcome loosely.
Do the work well regardless of what the answer is. That habit, built now, will carry you further than a single conversation ever could.
Your One Next Step
Decide right now which conversation you've been putting off. More hours or more pay? Pick one.
Then write down two things: what you've done that's worth pointing to, and what you're asking for. That's your whole preparation. You don't need more than that.
The first time you have this conversation it will feel uncomfortable. That's normal. Do it anyway. The skill of asking for what you've earned is one you'll use your entire working life, and the only way you learn it is by actually doing it once.