this post was submitted on 27 Oct 2025
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I can see how that would very easily happen, but my experience is that it's easier to find a new job than get a raise. Eventually you'll get that senior position too.
Forbes magazine found a long time ago that the best way to get a raise in America is to find another job.
Also true in Germany
Also true in the UK, I could get an extra +£10k just by leaving for a senior position elsewhere.
But I don't want to for two reasons:
I don't feel I have enough experience to actually be a senior in my job and want to stay where I am currently to learn some more before I leave.
I really like my current company because they treat me very very well and are the complete opposite of my previous company who gave me workplace PTSD, anxiety, and made me suicidally depressed. On top of that my company commits to inflation matching yearly wage adjustments, so I'm not loosing money by staying here.
In Italy, for technical jobs, traditionally a new employer should offer your 10% more on your yearly gross. Conditions apply of course, such as being already above the average pay for your position and experience, or having already changed job recently, but it's way more than you usually would be able to bargain for a raise (idk why employers are allergic to pay raises, but replacing you when you leave with someone more expensive apparently is ok, despite the new hire requiring time to get up to speed).
Nowadays it works less for roles that aren't in high demand, and even then they try to low-ball you whenever possible, but it's still better than fighting for raises.
I've gotten anywhere from 20k to 40k increases when I switch companies. If I stay I'm only getting the "standard" 2~4%
7% last year. Being in a union is awesome.
Software union? (Where?)
Had a 12% the year after Corona.
Living in a developed nation is even more awesome.
Probably true everywhere in the world, but may vary across fields of occupation.
Literally just got a 300% raise from switching
That was a long time ago though. Since covid the market has changed and it’s probably not as good of an idea to be a job hopper as it was.
Depends on what job you're in. If it's highly technical and niche you'll have an easier time finding a better job. A competitor recently tried to poach me for a 50% raise but I turned them down since they didn't have hybrid work available. Sometimes it's better to stick with a job that offers things you value more than money.
It's still a good idea, the jobs are just more rare.
The job-jump pay benefits may be true long-term but I've been keeping my eye on the Atlanta Fed Wage Growth tool with some relevant data. The difference between switchers and stayers is very small right now probably driven by slow hiring. The market is cold. We may all become seniors unless we get laid off or the market changes for the better.
https://www.atlantafed.org/chcs/wage-growth-tracker
I'm currently at the 1 year mark of my IT internship, idk when I should leave. Should I stick with it for another year while I'm still in school and then jump after I graduate? Should I get a new job and jump this summer? So many options
The best time to shop other jobs is while you're still getting paid at your current one.