Employers throughout the country are ramping up efforts to hire as many new employees amidst a massive talent crunch. As a result, people looking for jobs have many options – there were a record 11.3 million job openings in February – and workers have the upper hand in negotiating for increased pay. Besides nearly 4 million people quit their jobs last year, searching for better opportunities or to pursue their independent businesses.

According to the latest YoY data released about the quarter ending in December 2021, U.S. wage growth increased 4.4% overall for all employees. However, job switchers saw an outsized 8.0% wage increase.

So if you are thinking of switching jobs, this could be the perfect time for you. Read on to know more about securing a high-paying job.

When Should I Start Looking for a Higher Paying Job?

While money is an important factor to consider when looking for a new job, it is vital for you to also find a role that you enjoy. Even if you love your job but feel you aren’t being paid enough, it might be time to ask your boss for a promotion or raise. If this isn’t on the cards, perhaps it’s time to start looking for higher paying jobs. Here are a few other situations:

Improved performance

The longer you stay in your job, the better you’ll get at it. You’ll gain experience in your role, honing your skills and perfecting your craft. Eventually, you’ll become a valuable asset to your company with improved performance and increased productivity.

When this happens, you might feel like you deserve a raise or a promotion. On the other hand, if your efforts aren’t acknowledged, you may seek new opportunities elsewhere.

Increase in responsibilities

Once you’re trusted in your role at your company, your seniors will begin assigning you new roles and responsibilities. Opportunities like these allow you to take advantage of the situation and ask for increased compensation.

If you take on more responsibilities and work longer hours, you will feel that you deserve a raise. If your company fails to deliver on this, it might be time to start looking for a new role that pays you what you deserve per the work you are doing.

When you’ve outgrown your role

There comes the point where you’ve been in your role for so long that you might feel you might have outgrown it. If you’ve improved your skills, and they now exceed the requirements of your current position, you should consider getting a role that matches your skillset.

10 tips to get a higher paying job

Keeping the above factors in mind, we’ve compiled a list of things you can work on if you want to improve your overall performance, skill set, and growth as an employee.

Here are 10 tips that can help you on your way to a higher paying job:

1. Excel in your existing role

If you have an excellent record of producing positive results for your company, you can stake your claim for a raise. You show that you are a valuable asset to the company by performing consistently. This can help you leverage your position, not only within your company but also with outsiders.

2. Expand your network

Networking is an essential part of getting a higher-paying job. Having a list full of resourceful professionals can help you stay aware of new opportunities. You might even find there are roles and companies you didn’t know existed, yet they might be the right fit for you.

Always keep your visiting card on you; you never know when you’ll need it. You might strike up a conversation with the HR of another organization during a corporate event, which could lead to a new job offer in a few weeks!

Keep your eyes and ears open, and don’t be afraid to socialize.

3. Improve your skillset

When looking for a higher-paying job, you may be needed to take on additional responsibilities that your current role does not require. Adding a new range of skills and talents to your arsenal is a great way to open up more options, leading to higher-paying job opportunities.

If you’re looking for a job that requires a skill set that you currently don’t have, use friends, family, and online resources to learn more about them. You can spend some time learning these skills alongside your current job until you feel you are proficient enough to use them in a new job.

Better yet, try incorporating a new range of skills into your current job. This could make you a more valuable employee, and the company might offer you a raise. If your new talents aren’t acknowledged, you can always look for better opportunities elsewhere.

4. Embrace new responsibilities

In addition to developing the necessary skills for a higher role, it is important to demonstrate experience in taking on roles and responsibilities that you would be expected to complete in a higher-paying job.

Look for new responsibilities in your current role that will allow you to highlight your new skill set – something that many of your colleagues might not have.

When searching for higher-paying jobs, you can highlight these new responsibilities as evidence that you are underused in your current role.

This will also help you stand out from the crowd in your present job and increase your chances of being noticed and offered a raise, or you could be offered a higher-paying job entirely.

5. Put yourself out there

When you’re prepared to change jobs to pursue a higher-paying role, you want to get as much exposure as possible. The more recruiters you can present your credentials to, whether directly or indirectly, the higher your chances of landing a company that is a good fit.

Use social networking sites like LinkedIn and Twitter to put yourself out there. Showcase your portfolio, and maintain a professional demeanor online. Hiring managers tend to notice this, increasing your chances of securing the job you’re looking for.

6. Don’t be afraid to ask

This is something that is often overlooked. One of the easiest ways to get new opportunities is to ask. Unfortunately, many individuals often miss out on opportunities they might have otherwise taken advantage of had they just asked.

Never hesitate to ask whether it’s an added responsibility in your current job or a job opening at your dream company. It means you’re trying.

The worst that can happen is you’ll be turned down. If you can endure the disappointment of being rejected, you’re showing signs of a resilient and persevering professional.

7. Take calculated risks

Sometimes, you may feel that a particular job or role is beyond your capabilities. But if you never try, you’ll never know.

It’s important to take risks that you otherwise wouldn’t go for. Be smart with your risks, but try to reach for things that might seem a little beyond your grasp.

Be prepared to take on challenges that are outside your comfort zone. Ignore the things that weigh you down. If you come across a job that you feel you can justify, by all means, go for it.

Be confident in your abilities and remember the value you bring to a company. Show a new company that you’re looking for new challenges and opportunities.

8. Improve your education

One way to get ahead of the queue is to pursue further education relevant to your career path. Multiple degrees and certifications can make your resume more attractive to hiring managers.

You can try taking online classes, digital courses, or volunteering to add more to your profile. Look for courses that let you stand out from the crowd or try and learn a new skill that would help you excel in your current job.

If there’s a problem area that needs addressing, educate yourself and jump ahead of your colleagues to be the first person to solve the problem.

Not all forms of education need to be two-year degrees; online courses can provide plenty of value within a short period.

9. Hire a career coach

Career coaches are specialists who understand how to highlight the most valuable aspects of your professional expertise and showcase them to prospective employers in the most appealing way.

A career coach can teach you how to draft the perfect resume, network effectively, and even develop a long-term professional strategy to guide you on your career path.

If you can afford a career coach, they can be a great resource of information and advice to help fast-track your career.

10. Become a leader

Leadership is a talent that is constantly in demand. You can continuously hone your leadership skills, even if you’re already in a leadership role.

If you have no experience leading a team, you can still develop leadership skills in many ways. You can offer to mentor an intern or an entry-level employee. You can also hone your leadership skills outside the workplace by serving on the executive committee of a nonprofit or a similar organization.

Leadership cannot be rushed. It needs time, patience, and experience. Even as a leader, you will make mistakes. Learn from these mistakes and use them to guide you.

Conclusion

If you’re someone who’s looking to build your way up on the professional ladder, you’re in luck.

With so many companies competing for new employees by offering attractive signing bonuses, increased compensation, improved benefits, and more flexible work hours, there has never been a better time to look for work.

With AppJobs, you can find many opportunities that suit your career map. AppJobs offers loads of tips and tricks to help you find higher-paying jobs and boost your career.