We all like to be appreciated in our jobs, and one of the most obvious forms of appreciation at work is a raise. So how do you get one? Here are some tips from career experts.

Ask for it

Many people — especially women — think that their hard work will automatically be rewarded. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. “You don’t get anything you don’t ask for,” says executive coach Jean Stafford of McLean, Virginia. “My rule to my clients is to ask a lot for a lot,” Stafford told The Washington Post.

Know your workplace culture

The way you ask for a raise is different, depending on what kind of company you work for, says HR expert Mel Hennigan of Arlington, Virginia. “A family-owned company may value the loyalty of its employees — asking for a raise before you’ve been there for a while may not go over so well,” Hennigan explains. “But in a performance or meritocracy type of culture, as soon as you demonstrate [that] what you’re bringing to the table is worth more to the company, you can make that ask.”

Be prepared

Before you go to the boss with your request, make a list of your achievements, concentrating on work you’ve done that has benefited your firm financially, Stafford advises. “You brought a big project in on time and on budget, or you’ve taken on something no one else was willing to do,” she says. But don’t make it all about past achievements, Hennigan warns. “What happened in the past is in the past. You want to talk about what you’re going to do in the future and use the past to help substantiate that,” he says.

Do it in person

Don’t ambush your boss in the elevator. Ask for a meeting instead. And don’t go into the meeting unprepared. “I ask my clients to write a script,” Stafford says. “It becomes a way of helping them prepare.” Don’t make demands, Hennigan advises. “Your sincerity can make all the difference in the world. You want to be thoughtful, prepared, and respectful.”

Learn to accept “no”

Don’t take it personally, Stafford advises. “Many women tend to take a no as meaning ‘I don’t like you and I don’t like that you’re asking me,’” she says. “At the end of the day, it’s a business decision that your boss makes.” Stay calm so that you can try again if circumstances change, Hennigan suggests. “You want your boss to remember your conversation favorably and leave that door open.”