Times are tough. People are looking to make extra money any way they can. While your company may not be in a position to give you a raise right now, you can start investing in your future so that when the time is right you will be ready to get that big raise.

It’s no secret that moral is low in the office. A recent study showed that over 50% of Americans were unhappy with their job. If you are reading this I bet you fall within that group. The current struggles of the American business can be turned into an opportunity for the American worker.

Everyone is being asked to do more with less. The first thing we need to realize is that America has changed and for the next few years we will continue to be asked to do more with less. That’s just the way it is. The sooner we accept it the better off we will be.

Times are tough right now and they will continue to be tough. You may not be able to ask for a raise today but if you work hard for the next year you will be positioned well for a raise or promotion. You may find the low moral as an opportunity to stand out amongst your peers. Use these five tips to make more money at work.

See the real you

Don’t let your ambition confuse who you are. So many times people let their ambition blur reality. If you have three years of experience as an associate you are not ready to be a director. Even if you look at the director and think you are smarter or better suited for the job, you have to put in your time. Be ambitious but don’t think you deserve something before you are ready for it.

Work Hard

Yes it’s obvious but here in America we have this entitlement culture that says I want it so give it to me. Before you ask for a raise you have to show that you consistently work hard and make a difference.

Improve your skills

Get training, read books, and learn everything there is to know about your business. Dig into every problem you see and learn how things work. The more you know, the more valuable you are to your company. When you understand how things work you are better suited to solve problems. I can’t emphasize this enough – learn everything there is to know about your business or product.

Communication

You work hard and are constantly improving yourself, but does anyone know? You have to communicate well so that your boss knows about the value you bring. You can stay up all night solving all the company problems but if no one knows about it then you’ve wasted your time.

Look out for your boss

Help your boss be successful. If you want to impress your boss, ask him/her what you can do to help them be successful. Ask where you can help improve the team. Take initiative and show that you are ready to step up. Make your boss your priority by responding to their emails right away and finishing the tasks they give you before moving on to other projects.

Ask

This is my best tip, it’s what has helped me the most. Just ask. When you have put in the time and feel that you have good ground to stand on schedule a meeting with your boss. Review the work you’ve done and explain your case. Ask directly for a raise. I’ve found that people are afraid to ask for a raise because they don’t want to ruffle anyone’s feathers. Don’t let fear hold you back! Get in there and ask for a raise. This one simple thing can be the difference in being promoted and making more money at work.