6 things you should never say when asking for a raise

It could end up being potentially harmful for your career if you're not careful in how you approach your employer.

However, if you make a solid argument for yourself and avoid saying these six things, you could get that raise you’ve been hoping for:

I deserve a raise

Saying you deserve a raise without making a convincing case makes you look selfish and entitled.

Instead, present your recent accomplishments, say, if you helped the company significantly earn more revenue or you improved your team’s workflow.

This is reason enough to make your employer give your request some consideration.

I should have the same salary as so-and-so

Never, ever compare yourself to another co-worker. There may be several reasons why he/she is making more money.

Instead of complaining about someone else, use reliable methods — such as industry salary surveys — to check whether you’re being paid fairly, not your co-workers.

I'm doing the work of two/three people

There's a very good possibility you are doing the work of multiple people, seeing that layoffs were rampant when there was an economic slowdown. However, there are better ways to convey that message.

You could ask your supervisor if you can discuss a new role within the company, since the added responsibilities may have resulted in you doing a completely different job from what you were hired to do

It's been a year since my last increase

If your company's practice is to give people raises on a regular schedule, it likely has some system for doing that already and your boss does not need to be reminded.

If you're going to focus on yourself, make the ask about your strengths and what makes you valuable as an employee.

Besides, your salary increase should come in relation to what you accomplish.

I need a pay raise because I'm having personal problems

Your personal problems don't factor into whether or not you deserve a bump in pay. If you're facing a family illness or you are drowning in debt, that might be a reason to give you a loan, but not a raise.

Remember your salary is based on what you do for your employer and not on your financial obligations.

If you don't give me this raise, I'll quit

Unless you actually do have an alternate job offer in hand, you should avoid this tactic at all costs or else you could end up unemployed.

Chances are, there are plenty of people waiting to take your job for less pay. Whatever you do, resist the urge to threaten your manager. It won’t go very well.