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.