It's happened to several of my friends: they're looking forward to negotiating a raise after six months or a year in a new job and their boss beats them to the punch by offering it early. The thing is that it's smaller than they would have asked for, but because it's unexpected they're caught off guard and don't feel that they're in a position to ask for more. Then when the big milestone rolls around, they're told "well, since you just got a raise, you should be set for awhile..."
Frankly, I find this practice kind of manipulative, but from what I've heard, it's a fairly standard practice on inexperienced workers. Here's how I would handle this situation.
Keep track of successes before the review rolls around. Many people wait until a few weeks before their review to start compiling a list of accomplishments. Not only does this run the risk of forgetting something important, but it also leaves the worker without a good reason why they deserve better.
Don't be afraid to ask for more. Bosses often have a little wiggle room for compensating valued employees, so if they're willing to offer one or two grand "for good behavior," chances are they could offer even more if pressed. Beginning with a statement like "I'd so glad you're happy with my work…" shows appreciation for the raise without settling.
Has this situation ever happened to you? If so, leave a comment and let us know how you handled it.