Regardless of how long a person has had a particular job or how hard they work, it is always a bit intimidating to ask for a raise. Even if the raise is deserved, asking at the wrong time could prevent the employer from being able to offer one, especially if the company is in financial distress, or if a raise at that time is not within the company’s policy. But if the timing is right, and an employee is up for a review, that may present the opportunity to ask for a raise in wages. In that case, there are a number of short-term strategies to make the discussion a bit easier.