[gregjor]

You can ask for a raise at any time. You should have a number in mind, and prepare to negotiate. You should have some accomplishments to cite, demonstrating your value to the business. If you don't have a good bargaining position -- not prepared to change jobs -- then you don't want to get too aggressive about it. Don't beg or act meek, but don't create a conflict -- a fine line to walk. Confidence pays off.

An expert salesman once told me to always ask for one unreasonable thing, to focus the conversation on that as if the other side already agreed to everything else. Taking his advice and coaching I once asked for a raise and a company expense credit card, and a leased car. My boss said "We're not getting a car for you." I got the raise and credit card. At another job I asked for a raise and a new top of the line MacBook Pro for working from home. I got a MacBook Air, and the raise.