Finding a better job

[h0llywood]

Not all opportunities are created equal and you just have to be in the right place at the right time

[MadHatter]

I'm 27. My salary has gone up an average of $7,000 every year since I started working. How you ask?

 

I've worked for five companies. I got laid off twice, quit once and then got fired. Then I did some consulting work, which I was able to parlay into my current full time job. And every time I've taken a new job, I've asked for, and received a higher salary than what I was paid at the last place. I've been with my company for one year, and I just got my first raise ever in my life; 3%.

 

Imagine that's your salary increase for the rest of your life. Because that's what happens when you stay put.

 

The only sure fire way I've yet found to get more salary is to move to another company for a slightly better job with a better salary. Gone are the days where you stayed with one company your whole life, got a raise every year, got a promotion every 3 years. You are in the early stages of your career. You want to get more money? Be aggressive. Shoot for a job that you think you can't handle. Don't be afraid to fail at your age. Because even if you do fail, what your next potential employer asks you during the interview is "What was your salary at your last job?" and then they will either match it, or go over that. Where you are at this point in your career, what matters is what you are getting paid, not what your job title is, not what your experience is, not anything else. What you are making now will dictate what you will make later. So always look to move somewhere with a better salary, especially this early in your career. Take risks.

 

I've flat out told employers that I got fired, and that didn't hurt my chances at all. I just got offered a job that pays $15,000 more than I make now, after I told them I got fired. I turned it down because although it's more money, the title would actually be a step back. And at where I'm at now, title does matter, and having "proposal manager" on my resume will not help me get the kind of job I want later. Where I'm at, I plan now to move around less frequently, and get much better titles and much better salaries when I do, which involves a lot more staying in put and getting some gold stickers on my resume.

 

Where you are, you should be looking to make a move about once a year, and get a better title, and a better salary. Don't stay put, or you will grow roots.

 

Be real careful on the strategy of continuing to change companies to get a little more salary.  This will usually work in the short term.  However, a resume with continuous moves every couple of years quickly becomes very unattractive to employers.

 

They are often viewed as red flags for people who may interview well, but never stay around to deliver any real growth nor progression with a company.

[ZeroZeroSeven]

Be real careful on the strategy of continuing to change companies to get a little more salary.  This will usually work in the short term.  However, a resume with continuous moves every couple of years quickly becomes very unattractive to employers.

 

They are often viewed as red flags for people who may interview well, but never stay around to deliver any real growth nor progression with a company.

 

Isn't your career title a VP or something similar?  Any tips you could provide in the job market as far as getting your resume noticed, interview tips, etc.?

[thefuzz]

Isn't your career title a VP or something similar?  Any tips you could provide in the job market as far as getting your resume noticed, interview tips, etc.?

 

Not about your resume, nor what you know, nor where you went to school.

 

More often times than not, it's who you know/your past.  Unless it's a very specific area.

[MadHatter]

Not about your resume, nor what you know, nor where you went to school.

More often times than not, it's who you know/your past. Unless it's a very specific area.

Who you know may get you an interview. But, I always hire based on the interview and evaluation. Not doing so just sets you up for failure.

Those who think that getting a job is all about who you know are usually those with marginal skills, poor grades, and a poorly written resume.

Successful managers and executives know the best way to be successful is to fill your department and team with top talent....not with buddies.

[thefuzz]

Who you know may get you an interview. But, I always hire based on the interview and evaluation. Not doing so just sets you up for failure.

Those who think that getting a job is all about who you know are usually those with marginal skills, poor grades, and a poorly written resume.

Successful managers and executives know the best way to be successful is to fill your department and team with top talent....not with buddies.

 

I somewhat agree.

 

The hardest part, at least in my history, is getting in front of the interviewer/right people.

[Davidson Deac II]

Not all opportunities are created equal and you just have to be in the right place at the right time

 

Very true.  I have done fairly well over the last 15 years or so, some of due to my own efforts, but some of it also being in the right place at the right time. 

[Davidson Deac II]

Who you know may get you an interview. But, I always hire based on the interview and evaluation. Not doing so just sets you up for failure.

Those who think that getting a job is all about who you know are usually those with marginal skills, poor grades, and a poorly written resume.

Successful managers and executives know the best way to be successful is to fill your department and team with top talent....not with buddies.

 

That is dependent on the circumstances. I am in my current job because the managers of the group I work for had worked with me before, and knew I was a good fit.  Who you know works well if they know they are hiring a good employee.   

 

And Interviews, especially in the IT field, can be very misleading.  I have seen several examples of people that interviewed great, but ended up being more of a burden than an asset.  

[cardiackat88.]

US Army is the best decision I have ever made.