It’s time for your annual review and you’re hopeful for a raise; the evaluation goes well and your boss doesn’t note any huge areas of concern. So you’re stunned when, for some reason, you’re not offered any more money.

Being passed over for a raise can be a slap in the face and make you feel invaluable, confused, and angry. However, before you storm into your boss’s office to deliver some choice words or throw in the towel altogether, take a deep breath and consider the reason why you weren’t offered the raise. There are likely a few contributing factors in the decision—take a look at some of the most common below and look for ways to reverse your fortunes in the future.

1. You didn’t ask for it
   Often, getting the raise means simply having the courage to ask for it. Ultimately, companies are thinking about their bottom line, and if they don’t see the need to give you a raise because they think you’re happy with your current salary, then they probably won’t. So be proactive and (respectfully) let your boss know that you’d like an increase.

2. You were unprepared
   When asking for a raise, always come prepared with a strong argument to support your request. Walk into your meeting with examples of how you’ve succeeded over the last year, the work you’ve done, and thorough knowledge of regional and industry statistics to help validate your argument for more money. Never list personal circumstances as a reason for more money, even if you’re desperate.

3. You’re not making an effort to stand out
   In the modern-day office, it’s less common to receive an increase just for doing your work. Employers are looking for those who are going above and beyond their call of duty, not scraping by on the bare minimum. Evaluate your performance over the last year—which category did you fall in? How can you better position yourself for next year? Consider asking your boss directly what he/she would deem as an above-average performance and then work toward reaching that level.

4. There’s a lack of company resources
   Consider the current financial state of your company and whether or not this may be a factor. It’s possible that your employer just doesn’t have the budget to offer you a raise at this time. Perhaps a raise is in the works, but it has to wait until a later time when the funds come in. If the company has been struggling lately, it could be a sign that the company is failing and you might want look for employment elsewhere.

5. Your already making market-standard wages
   It’s possible that you weren’t offered a pay increase because you’re already making at or above the industry standard for your role. You can do some salary research on websites like Salary.com and Glassdoor.com. However, remember that Hawaii is its own unique market, so you may want to talk to a local expert. We recommend calling ALTRES Staffing and speaking to one of their knowledgeable Personnel Managers.

Just because you didn’t get a raise doesn’t mean all hope is lost. However, if you’re certain that a salary increase isn’t in your future and you’re looking to move on to a new company, make Real Jobs Hawaii a part of your job search. Hundreds of local employers post their open positions to our site, and it’s completely free to use! Click here to get started.