Don't expect every company, both large and small, to pay comparable wages for a similar set of skills. Although most companies try to pay fair market value for comparable jobs, it can be difficult to keep abreast of what the going rate is. If a small company doesn't participate in salary surveys or doesn't have a seasoned human resources specialist, they may either underpay or overpay for a job. Don't expect a raise just because a colleague across town got one for a similar job. Today's jobs are less structured than at any time in history, and they can be quite different from one another, even if they have the same title.
Job descriptions become blurry as more hats are worn.
For instance, if you're on a number of committees and special task forces, your job description will bulge. Don't expect a raise because of things such as being dependable, having good attendance, or having a good work ethic. Although these attributes can contribute to a merit increase, they still need to be connected to the bottom-line results you produce. Don't expect a raise because of your own living expense needs. Companies can't use your monthly bills as a reason for giving you a raise.