As a career coach, I often speak with employees who have been in a certain role or with an organization for a long period of time and have the mindset of ‘I'm due a raise!’ Usually, he/she has this mindset because of one or all of the following reasons:

• tenure (they've been with the company or in a certain role for x number of years)
• good attendance (in at 9am; out at 5pm)
• positive reviews (received a consistent ‘meets expectations’ on their reviews)

Unfortunately, in today’s highly competitive environment, the above reasons usually aren't enough to position yourself as the top contender for a raise or promotion. Instead, make it your goal to say 'yes' to the following six questions before you request a meeting with your manager for a raise or before your next performance review.

Six Questions to Ask Yourself

1. YOU'VE RECEIVED FIVE GOLD STARS
   Have you consistently exceeded your employee evaluations on all levels for, at least, the...