I have been at my current job for 1 year and 5 months. I have not received a raise ever and the work load is getting bigger and bigger! I guess I consider myself somewhat of a coward because I haven't asked for a raise yet but why should I they should just give me one because it would only be fair especially if you keep adding to someone's work load. I guess what I'm asking is maybe someone can give me advice on the best way to ask maybe the right words to say. I am at my wits end and ready to move on to another job but would like to stay where I am. Please help

If you haven't got it in you to ask, then you shouldn't be working there. They are taking advantage of you.

You made your first year and must have had your first year evaluation and that is the logical time you receive a raise. If they did not offer and you did not ask, then that is sad. Look in your Human Resources Employee Handbook and see what the policy is for raises. Then muster up your courage and go and ask to speak to your supervisor and make your request. If you cannot find it in yourself to ask, then write everything down as to your reasons you feel you deserve a raise. Now if you cannot do that, then, just like Tickle stated, you should find a job where you are not intimidated.

Many companies don't give raises often or never wihtout you asking, the idea of a yearly raise is a thing of the past. And many companies don't even give any reviews.

For example the medical company I worked for for over 4 years never gave any regular raises and many employees had worked for 2 to 3 years with no raises. In my job we got our pay changed 5 or 6 times over 4 years, and each time they lowered how much we made. Many companies that are cutting back, let employees go, and add work to others, and often will even cut the pay of those left, to stay in business.

But it is obvious they are not going to give you one without asking,

But you have not talked to them and you are upset with them? Why, have they not paid you exactly what they agreed to when they hired you?
If you want more, you need to go talk to them

You asked about the best way to ask. So, I know that is your intention. You just don't know how to ask. Here is one possible way.

You can start by telling whoever it is that would be in charge of giving you the raise "I have a challenge in my life that I am trying to solve. You are the person who could help me with this. Would you be willing to help?" Posing a question like this causes you to appear to be non-intimidating or pushy. If he or she asks what the challenge is before saying "Yes," then you state that it concerns your work at the company. "Would you be willing to help me?" Then you spell out things that you will find in the information below.

From SoYouWanna ask for a raise? | SoYouWanna.com (http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/raise/raise.html). It might be worth your time to check out all the information on the site.

6. GO IN AND ASK FOR THE RAISE
Now that your research is done, you should feel capable of handling any outcome with competence and grace. Here are some general tips:

Dress nice, take a shower, brush your teeth, and don't look like a slob (Check out SoYouWanna dress better? (for women), if applicable).

Be prepared when the conversation doesn't follow your script. If you have prepared well, you will have the answer to any objection on the tip of your tongue. If you can steer the conversation, start by explaining why you feel you deserve a raise.

Bring a copy of your accomplishments to hand to your boss. And emphasize without over-elaborating - boring the boss is not in your best interest either.

Let your boss bring up what the company has to offer first (that way, if it exceeds your expectations you have not shot yourself in the foot by going first). But you can bring up the compensation issue by noting how much others in the field are paid. Again, do not compare yourself to co-workers. Just the field in general.

When it comes to negotiating, ask for more than you really want, but don't ask for ridiculous amounts. Security will remove you from the premises. Ask for a couple percent more of an increase than you are really expecting, and see what happens.

This is when your role-playing comes in handy and you can counter every reason for why the company shouldn't or can't oblige you. If luck is with you, your boss will be so impressed by your linguistic ability that he/she will crack like an egg and fork over the cash. Even if the answer is still no, think of this as the beginning of a conversation and schedule a time to revisit the topic once you have met some more milestones.

I agree with Fr_Chuck. Most places don't give them unless you ask for them. That is especially true of the smaller companies.

I kind of look at it like this... what have I got to lose? They can say yes and that would be terrific. Or, they could say no and nothing has changed. At that point however, you can decide if you want to move on to something new or stay with what you got.