Don't act entitled. There's a fine line between projecting confidence and appearing arrogant, and it's not a line you want to cross. No matter how much you think you deserve more, remember: The business world is not a meritocracy. If you want a pay increase, it's up to you to persuade your boss that it's in the company's best interest to give you one.
Don't tell a sob story. Your boss is unlikely to give you a raise because little Sally needs braces or Grandma Jill wants to move into the spare bedroom. Everybody encounters unexpected expenses. Keep your personal challenges to yourself, and concentrate on demonstrating why your services are worth more than you're being paid.
Don't indulge in theatrics. So you're mad as heck and you're not going to take it anymore? Your feelings may be justified, but that doesn't mean you should share them with your boss. When asking for a raise, you want to prove you're an asset to the company. Outward displays of anger and other histrionics will make you look unprofessional and unstable.
Don't demand to be paid as much as a co-worker. It's irksome to discover that one of your colleagues is getting more than you to perform the same job, but don't assume that confronting your supervisor will lead to par-ity. You may not be privy to all the information. Chances are, your co-worker has been in the industry longer or has an advanced degree that the company deems valuable.
Don't threaten to quit. Why would your boss invest in an employee poised to jump ship? Threatening to walk out sends the message that you are not committed to the company, which makes you a bad bet. That said, there's nothing wrong with using a competing offer as a bargaining tool when you ask for a raise.
