I know, I know. You want more money. We all do. Maybe you even “need” it. But do you deserve it? That’s the fundamental question your employer is asking. And that’s what you need to address when seeking an increase in pay.

You deserve a raise because of your actions and the positive impact they have on the business—when your performance has a meaningful effect on the company’s bottom line or when it produces other quantifiable results on a consistent basis.

To be clear—you don’t deserve a raise when your kids need braces or when your car breaks down. You don’t deserve a raise when your co-worker gets one, or when you’ve been with the company for more than a year, or when the price of milk goes up. You don’t deserve a raise simply because it would be fair or it would make life easier for you and your family.

I know this may sound harsh, but it shouldn’t surprise you. This is business, after all. And business rewards achievement. What is a raise if not a reward?

So ask yourself: What have I achieved that makes this raise deserved? What specific contributions have I made that demonstrate an increased value for my work? What measurable impact will my work continue to have on the business in the future?

Recommended Resource: Key Accomplishments List Template

Forget all the personal reasons you want or need a raise. That’s not going to make it happen.

Photo Credit: 401(K) 2012 (Flickr)