ALT-2 Get that Raise what to do if the Answer is no
Asking for a raise takes courage. If you get up the nerve to have the conversation with your boss, and your boss says "No" to offering you a raise, make sure that you understand the reasons that they turned you down before leaving the exchange.
You need to know why he said no so that you can later make some careful assessments about your future in that position. Some points to consider when you examine the scenario include: Was your request unreasonable? Was it a closed 'no' or did your boss offer something? What was their attitude regarding your request? And lastly, do you feel that your boss values your contributions to the work place?
Was your request unreasonable? Maybe you jumped the gun and didn't realize it. If you have been at your work place less than six months, it was too early to ask for a raise. If you work for a non-profit or have a grant position with a set monthly income, your boss was not able to raise your pay, and it put them in a difficult position for you to ask. If your performance at work has been sub-par, then it was a poor time to ask for a raise.
Did your boss respond to your request with a closed no or was something offered? Maybe they suggested you take on additional responsibilities, or hinted that you would be promoted in the future. These are positives, they show your boss thinks you're deserving but that you are still growing in your job. If they said that they couldn't offer you money, but they could offer you some other perk like vacation time or a title, then you should consider whether or not this is true. Paid vacation time is money, so if this is offered, take it and feel valued. If you get the feeling they are just trying to keep you happy by feeding you a line, it might be time to search for something new.
What was your boss' attitude regarding your request? Was he polite? Regretful? Angry? You have put yourself out there, and even if you didn't get a raise, you just received some valuable input about how your boss feels about you. If he closes you down without any consideration or discussion, you can consider yourself a cog in the system. This boss does not value you or care what you think. The work situation is not likely to improve, so you should look to move on.
Finally, do you add value to the company? If you have made extraordinary contributions, then you should feel confident asking for a raise. They should be willing to work with you, and if they respond unreasonably, be ready to show them the extra effort you have put in and the results that followed. Make it very difficult for your boss to say "No." to your request. If they persist in this vein, you're justified in using your contributions to garner a better wage at another company.
