You’ve been at your job a while, showcased your talents and shown a deep commitment to the company’s mission. Most career experts would advise you to ask for a raise, and rightly so. However, a conversation asking for more compensation doesn’t always end the way you’d like. If you’ve been denied a raise, follow this advice from New York City career coach Margaret M. Enloe, Esq. on how to recover from this setback.

4 Steps to Take After Getting Denied a Raise

1. Keep Your Cool

It’s normal to be upset about the rejection, but getting into an argument with your employer will not improve the situation. Instead, it will create an uncomfortable work environment and place you in a negative light. Take a deep breath and stay calm.

2. Ask How You Can Improve

While you may believe that you deserve a raise right now, your boss may have different expectations. Use the rejection as an opportunity to learn the areas where you can improve. Showing the initiative to seek this feedback and act upon it will increase your chances of getting a “yes” next time.

3. Set Goals

Set attainable goals to satisfy whatever deficits your boss identified. For example, if they feel your sales numbers aren’t high enough, try for a 20% increase over the next quarter. A career coach can help you set these targets and give you tools and the motivation to surpass them.

4. Request a Follow-Up Meeting

To show you’re serious about excelling, ask to schedule another conversation in a few months to discuss your performance once more. During this conversation, you can illustrate how you’ve improved based on their input during your earlier discussion and revisit the issue of a raise.

If you want further advice on how to improve your performance at work, talk to a qualified career coach. Margaret M. Enloe, Esq. has more than 30 years of experience helping NYC professionals achieve their goals. She’s a motivational speaker who specializes in building confidence, fostering better work habits and improving leadership and communication skills. To schedule a consultation, call (646) 872-3674 or visit her website.