No More Excuses: Here's Why Your Salary Is Stagnant and How to Change That!
Renata Junkova
Certified Career & Executive Coach - Global Recruiter Insights??Personalised 1:1 Coaching - Pivot with Purpose ??Navigating the CEO Landscape ??Professional Branding - Resume Writing - LinkedIn Profile Optimisation
I've noticed some new faces here, so let me say a quick hello and welcome to our recent subscribers!
Welcome to >10,000 global readers diving into the Modern Workplace, Future of Career World & Job Search Trends! ????
I'm Renata, a Career & Executive Coach, and your go-to for all things career.
I've been in your shoes, working in corporate HR and global recruiting for over a decade. I know the frustrations of feeling undervalued and underpaid despite giving it your all.
Let's talk about why this happens and how you can change it.
Learning the Hard Way
Back when I was in the corporate world, I faced the same struggles many of you do.
I was consistently exceeding expectations but still hitting a ceiling when it came to salary and promotions.
The constant "not now" from my bosses was disheartening.
It made me question my worth and the value I brought to the company.
But through these experiences, I learned some key strategies that helped me break through those barriers.
I want to share them with you because I understand your frustration and want to help you claim what you deserve.
?? Attention please ??
For the best reading experience and exclusive content, I highly recommend joining my 100% free digital newsletter, Career Pulse, instead of LinkedIn:
Why? You'll get more features, exclusive access to free career resources, a chatroom, early access to our career digital products... and the premium edition available ONLY through Career Pulse.
Why Your Salary Isn't Growing
1. You’re Just Doing Your Job
Simply doing your job well isn’t enough to get a raise or promotion.
It's expected.
To stand out, you need to be influential, positive, and consistently exceed expectations.
Show that you can lead, remove obstacles, and accomplish important tasks that benefit the organisation.
2. You Lack Empowering Leadership Skills
Great leaders are always noticed.
Show leadership by motivating others, communicating clearly, and getting people excited about a vision.
Even if you’re not in a leadership position, showing these skills can make a huge difference.
3. You’re Not Innovating
Think beyond your job description.
Innovate, create, problem-solve, and bring new ideas to the table.
Companies reward those who challenge the status quo in productive ways and help move the organisation forward.
4. You’re Not Thinking Ahead
Be a forward thinker.
Don't just do your job—think about where you and your company need to be in the future.
Continuously learn new skills and tools, and take on tasks that go beyond your current role.
5. You Haven’t Built Strong Relationships
I used to think work should be about getting rewarded for your work, but it's not just about the tasks you complete.
The quality of your relationships matters a lot.
Build strong, supportive relationships with mentors, sponsors, and allies who can open doors for you and advocate on your behalf.
How to Get That Raise
1. Understand Your Market Value
When I talk to my coaching clients (mostly mid-senior managers, directors, and new C-levels) about feeling underpaid, we dig into why they think that.
Most of them (over 70%) can't back it up with data. They just feel they haven't been rewarded fairly.
Important ways to assess your salary and benefits include acknowledging your significant accomplishments.
Regularly chat with headhunters to know your market value. Keep up with in-demand skills and what companies will pay.
Even if you're happy in your job now, things can change fast, so it's smart to stay informed.
Don't stay in one company or role for years without updating your skills or knowing current salary benchmarks.
Regular interviews give you insights on demand for your skills, compensation trends, and new skills to learn.
Plus, it boosts your confidence by taking control of your career.
领英推荐
Did you know that regular self-career reviews or career check-ins every three months are beneficial for your long-term career growth?
WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT:
2. Negotiate and Speak Up for Yourself - Be Ready to Ask
If you think you're ready for a raise, plan ahead.
Build a solid case and pick the right moment to chat with your manager.
Timing matters.
Use data, strong metrics, measurable achievements to highlight the impact you've made to back up your request for higher pay.
Also, check online salary trends; Glassdoor and LinkedIn are great resources.
Talking with people in your network can provide valuable info too.
Otherwise, you could be leaving thousands on the table.
3. Don't Stay Too Long in One Place
Professionals often fall behind in compensation because they stay in the same job or company too long.
Staying in one role for years without a promotion or more responsibility can hurt your chances for better pay and growth.
Personally, I've seen that staying over 8 years in one company, even with role changes, can make leaders see you as less experienced.
Long tenure may also make hiring managers think you're less flexible, motivated, or skilled compared to others.
4. Spotting Job Red Flags
Before taking a job, make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into.
Do thorough research online and ask around in your network.
Look closely at the job postings for any red flags, like tone, role positioning, gender-biased language, and remote work options.
Check if the company supports pay equity initiatives.
Reach out to colleagues who have worked there or know someone who has. Use LinkedIn to connect. Ask your friends and colleagues for honest feedback about the company.
Don’t jump in blindly. I made that mistake once and it was hard.
Don’t take a job where you can’t succeed, financially or otherwise, no matter how desperate you feel.
5. The Risk of Seeing Your Current Job as Permanent
I've noticed that professionals who see their current job as "forever" can become too comfortable, fearful of change, and fail to plan for growth and development.
These are the same individuals who struggle hardest when layoffs and firings come:
- They’re often unprepared and emotionally devastated when change is imposed on them.
- They’re also not ready to confidently and convincingly talk about their accomplishments and the results they’ve achieved.
- They struggle to articulate the skills and insights they bring to the table.
- Additionally, they find it challenging to highlight the significant contributions they’ve made in clear, measurable ways.
This lack of clarity could hinder their ability to secure a better salary in their next job.
To explore?Tip 6?and?Tip 7, along with practical examples and templates on how to effectively negotiate a pay raise, continue reading?Career Pulse - globally one of the fastest growing career digital newsletters (100% FREE)
Work with me!
For help building your career confidence and impact, get personalised 1:1 coaching support.
To speed up your career change and progress, start by enhancing your professional brand and online presence. Update your LinkedIn profile and digital Portfolio.
And if you're in the process of updating your CV, make sure it's in the right format.
Check out our easy to use CV | Resume Template .
Until next time,
Renata