Tips on Asking for a Raise and Reasons You May Be Denied

You have been with your current company for a long time now and still you watch as others are being promoted around you or receive fat raises while you go unrecognized and unappreciated. If this describes you, the following may be the case.

Your performance is just not up to par.
Nobody wants to hear this, but sometimes it is a fact. When you are unable to complete assignment on time, do your work sloppy or are in general less then thrilled about your work, you might not even consider asking for that raise. The fact is that in order to get a raise you have one of two options and I hope in your company only one. Perform above and beyond the standards in your company or brown nose your way into one. If you are considering the second option I advise you against it. Those that brown nose their way into position or sleep their way up the latter will sooner or later be dethroned, while someone that gained by performance will raise further regardless of who takes the bosses job in the long run.

You haven't asked for one or asked the wrong way.
There are times when you get pleasantly surprised by the sudden announcement that you are getting a raise, but this happens very seldom. Unless you are in a major Department Store Chain like Wal-Mart, where you come up for review annually, your company may not have such a policy in place. Make sure you are familiar with your policies regarding raises, merit raises etc. Once you have all the facts you can approach your boss about a raise. Have a strong point ready and proof to him or her why you deserve more money. Just I have been working here for X years, isn't good enough. If you however have been a valuable member of the company, a good worker and can show where the company has been better of due to your performance you will have a strong case in your favor. Here is a tip, ask for a raise on Fridays. Your Boss will be already in a better mood with the weekend being right around the corner. Avoid asking on a Monday or Tuesday. Those are the days when most firings or mass layoffs happen.

You aren't in control of the situation and did not plan ahead.
You went to your Boss on a Friday, you stated your desire for more money and somehow you were shooed out of the Office before you could even state your case fully. Now you are standing in front of the Office door and look dumbstruck. What just happened? It is very simple; you lost control of the situation. In any good negotiations you need to keep a firm control of the situation. Don't allow your boss to change the subject or over run you. Stay calm, collective and stick with the points you are trying to make. Don't walk out without the situation having been resolved.

You asked for too much.
Knowing your worth is one thing, being greedy is another. Do a little research ahead of time. Find out what you should be getting paid for the work you are doing. Talk to others that have had the position before you and find out when they got their raise. You don't want to leave the amount completely open, but you don't want to set in stone either. Usually a $1.00 - $2.00 raise per hour is acceptable with slightly lower in general fields like fast food where you usually come up for automatic reviews and the normal raise is around 50cents per hour. In highly specialized fields the numbers are much higher.

What can you offer in return?
As in any other contract negotiations you must have leverage and something to offer in return. Past performances are the measuring stick on which you will be judged, but if you have something new to bring to the table, like a newly completed degree in a relevant field or the completion of a course in a second language that might benefit the company, you have just improved your odds.

Your employer has reached their payment max.
Each company has a different level at which their payrate caps. If you have done everything correctly, have achieved above expectations and may just be in a job that is not highly specialized, it could be that your Employer can not afford to pay more. In that case you have to make a decision if you want to stay or look for a better opportunity elsewhere.

Someone has it out for you.
This happens very seldom, but ever so often you run into a boss that can not stand you personally for whatever confusing reason. In that case you may as well hang it up and go find a better place of employment. When personal opinion is taken over professional standards you shouldn't be there to begin with.

For now, good luck with your next income negotiations. Remember, being prepared and calm is half the battle. No go get them Tiger.