get pay raise without pulling teeth

So what's the approach to getting a pay raise without feeling like you are pulling your boss' teeth? Well the short answer is that there isn't a one size fits all approach. Sorry for the silver bullet seekers; silver bullets tend to work with Blade and Wesley Snipes. For the rest of us, the approach to getting a pay raise is more like an art versus a science. Here are a few pointers.

1. Where is your current salary relative to salary standards for your position?
2. If your current salary is already above median what incentive does your employer have to pay more i.e. what added value do you bring to the table that the average Joe can't bring to the table?
3. Can your company afford to pay you more? Timing is everything?
4. Do you have track record of performance with your employer?If you do and you also have a track record with previous employers that helps a bunch
5. How important is the raise you desire i.e. would you quit for a raise or pout and get back to work?

Once you have a solid understanding of the above question, combined with your personal experience working on your current job, you're in the best position to make your pay raise sales pitch. So if you want to avoid the feeling of pulling teeth basically you need to be prepared and have all the necessary information available before hand. Don't go in and try to wing it, invariably something always happens that isn't planned when you wing it.