If you ask for more money and your boss says the budget is too tight now -- ask him what it will take for you to reach your desired pay level, said Minneapolis-based compensation consultant Jim Fox.

If you don't get a clear or encouraging answer, it could mean one of several things:

• Your boss doesn't think you're worth that much money in your current position.
• He doesn't have the authority to make that decision or doesn't want to take on the challenge of getting you up to the next pay level.
• Or, you're already paid at the top of the company's scale for your position.

What you should do: Consider whether you want to continue working in that position at that company, Fox said.