Having a boss that gives you a raise on his or her own initiative is about as rare as finding a genuine Louis Vuitton for under $100... so, nonexistent.

And we're not talking about that paltry performance review-dictated increase, which if you're lucky might amount to a whopping 2%. You know perfectly well that such a raise won't even cover your mandatory morning Starbucks run, so what's the point?

The fact is, legality aside you are generally entitled to regular raises in the following cases:

1. Yearly performance review
2. Increase in job expectations
3. Change in job title
4. Increase in job hours
5. Relocation or continuing education

Your manager might not mention a raise, hoping you won't either. But if your recent review is positive, a good employer will be amenable to considering a pay increase.

That's all fine and good, but how do you ask for a raise? What amount should you request? These are the questions that keep you awake the night before your meeting and give you worse jitters than a double espresso macchiato. In addition to planning your speech, you should start prepping for this conversation well in advance - in fact, from Day One.

Paperwork

Ensure that upon accepting a new job, you get your job description on paper. It should be itemized to a reasonable specificity so that both sides know what is expected. In addition, a serious job offer should mention the following:

-performance review intervals (annual? semi-annual?)
-vacation time allotted
-starting wage
-wage increase following probation period (usually 3 months)
-benefits package, including the possibility of bonuses or profit share
-severance package (if appropriate)

Minor changes in your job scope are reasonable, but keep detailed notes as such changes are requested of you. Major job changes should be itemized on paper by your boss with the necessary description. It is your right to ask for this, and a good manager will find such a request to be reasonable. Give your boss a little time to prepare this, but touch base after two weeks if you haven't received it.

Praise file

Every time you have completed a task that earns you kudos, ask the client or coworker involved to write you a short note or email of commendation. Save a paper copy in your file for performance evaluation time to present to your manager.

Keep track of all your deadlines, and make note of the times when you complete projects ahead of schedule.

Exemplary job performance

Always ensure that you meet or exceed your job standard. While performance is the key component, other factors matter:

-punctuality
-respectful conduct (malicious gossip, backstabbing, and playing favorites will come back to you)
-proper communication (inform your boss right away if you think you'll miss a deadline, and take responsibility for your failures and successes)
-employment appropriate attire (don't toot the PC horn; appearances do matter. Save the Reeboks for Casual Friday only)

Personal issues

Leave the soap operas for NBC. Oversharing at the office will ultimately diminish your personal reputation and make you appear indiscreet. You will not be promoted or entrusted with sensitive company information if you're likely to blab it to Linda in Accounting.

If you have conflicts in your personal life that may affect your job performance, you should inform your boss. Ask for a mental health day if you are overwhelmed, but make sure the following workdays make up for the time off. Save your pity parties for after work with a confidante and don't pass the buck for substandard efforts if the fault lies with you. Everyone has issues in their lives; not everyone brings their baggage to work.

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So now it's Day 365 and time for your performance review. You need to prep for this day as much as you did for your initial interview. With your good track record, the evaluation portion of the meeting goes well. On deck now is salary renegotiation.

~ Expect a 2% increase for starters. This is a simple cost-of-living adjustment pegged to the average rate of inflation. Calculate what that amounts to for you before you enter the meeting so when your boss suggests an amount you understand what that means.

~ A change in job description can be worth 10% or more, depending on the nature of the change. If it includes managing a team, you can reasonably ask for more. The emotional challenge of handling people does not respect your quitting time of 5pm, so neither should your pay. The same rule applies for travel requirements. Asking you to spend time away from family and friends on a semi-regular basis needs to be compensated, especially if you are a parent and need to find extra childcare to cover.

~ A promotion can be worth 20% or more, plus extra benefits. If the job requires you to have a cell phone or laptop, the company needs to pay for it. Ask about expenses - will you have an expense account or need to pay up front and be compensated later?

~ A transfer that requires you to move to another city is worth 20% or more, even if you are not moving up in the company hierarchy. They are asking you to leave friends and family behind and reestablish yourself elsewhere, which may include hidden costs that are not expensable (cost of living increases is the biggest factor).

~ If your boss asks you to take courses that will benefit the company, they will always pay for tuition and study materials. Make sure that they offer some compensation for your commute, parking pass (if applicable), etc. Study time must be addressed in advance: will they allow you to study at the office or decrease your hours? Your pay must not be reduced, and if they require you to maintain the same office hours as before you should ask for a temporary wage increase to cover your study hours. While you probably can't bill your study hours at the same rate as your work hours, it is still worth 10% or more depending on your course load.

Enter your manager's office with a number in mind. There's bound to be some negotiation, so ask for the upper limit to that which you would be entitled. Have a concrete number in mind and don't offer them a range - they'll always choose the lowest number.

For example: your previous salary was $35,000, you have a good track record and have been taking on additional responsibilities. You would like at least $40,000, which is roughly a 14% increase.

Start by outlining what your previous job description was and how it has changed. Present your praise file and assure your boss that you are committed to maintaining your work standard. If your efforts have directly contributed to a specific revenue increase (eg. you landed a new account), quote accurate numbers to demonstrate your attention to detail and value to the company.

Sell them on what your expertise is worth, have statistics at hand for what comparable professionals in your industry are earning. If coworker Dave earns less than what you're asking for (none of your business, by the way), it is irrelevant to your own negotiation. You should be earning at market value or better, or consider taking your services elsewhere.

Ask for the applicable raise at the time when your situation changes. You never have more negotiating power than when you are being asked to change your job requirements or hours. If your manager springs news of your promotion without warning, feel free to ask for a day or two to consider it. Do not commit to a new job or new salary without thinking things through or discussing it with your family. Make sure you give your boss a clear idea of when you'll respond, and do so on paper or with a follow-up email.

Approaching a salary negotiation professionally and with confidence will earn your manager's respect, even if you ask for more than the company is willing to give. Make sure your request is reasonable but appropriate to your new position. Consider offering a compromise if management is reluctant: 50% of the proposed increase effective immediately, with the full wage increase taking effect after a reasonable time (eg. 3 months) when you have proven yourself capable of the new responsibilities.

As always, have an exit strategy if your boss refuses to recognize your contribution. In that case, you really shouldn't be wasting your valuable talent on that company anyway.

Do you have a salary negotiation tip? Share it in the comments!