You’ve been at the same company for a long time now. You’re professional, fully committed, and regularly put in more hours than the standard 9-to-5 grind.
But when the latest promotions rolled around, your name wasn’t on the list. And that salary bump you were promised? It never came. You feel cheated.
The worst thing you could do right now? Just accept it.
Why?
Because you deserve to earn more!
In this article, I’ll break down:
- What’s essential for a fast salary increase
- How networking shapes your career
- Why a positive mindset is everything
I’ll use two real-life case studies to show you how it’s done.
I run a finance blog because I love writing about investing, day trading, and the latest in fintech. But I also work full-time in the finance department of a major publicly traded company.
Over the past few years, I’ve helped many students transition from campus life to the corporate world.
These are the stories of Jacob and Michael—two guys who achieved way more in their careers in a short time than most of the other young professionals in our department.
Case Study #1: Jacob
Jacob joined us as a working university student.
Looking back at his application, there was no obvious sign he’d be the top pick. But in the interview, he absolutely nailed it and convinced us he was the right fit.
During the school year, he worked part-time. But when semester breaks rolled around, instead of traveling, Jacob chose to work full-time—which gave his income a serious boost.
The First Step to a Permanent Job
After graduation, the company struggled to offer Jacob a permanent role. The promises made during his student days were off the table.
Budget cuts made hiring him nearly impossible, and the only offer on the table was a short-term contract with lousy pay. That didn’t work for Jacob, so he turned it down.
Jacob’s Secret Weapon
Jacob had mastered networking early on, so he found a slick way out of the problem.
As crazy as it sounds, an internal role wasn’t an option. But thanks to his cleverness, Jacob got hired by a management consulting firm that happened to work with our company. He walked right back in through their doors—still working for us like nothing had changed.
The Perfect Networking Move
But Jacob’s story doesn’t end there.
From day one, he was laser-focused on climbing the career ladder fast. After that first job switch, he changed roles three more times in two years.
Now, he’s with a top-tier management consultancy, working on exciting global projects.
Jacob’s biggest strengths? Networking and seeing the big picture. Without those, he might’ve settled for that terrible fixed-term contract.
Three years into his career, Jacob has more than doubled his starting salary—and now has way more financial freedom.
What Can You Learn from Jacob?
- Build real relationships early. Meet as many people as possible, fast, and make sure they remember you when you need them.
- Think big. Companies want visionaries—people who solve problems, not just point them out.
- Job-hopping early in your career accelerates salary growth.
Case Study #2: Michael
Michael started with us early in his university days.
Unlike Jacob, he didn’t have to compete with other candidates. His opportunity came from a random chat with someone at our company.
A colleague mentioned we needed a working student with business admin skills—especially in IT and programming. The student also had to commit to at least a year with us. Like Jacob, they’d be fully trained and integrated into the team.
Networking Wins Again
After that chance conversation, we invited Michael for a formal interview.
It was clear right away—we didn’t need to look further. We were sure he’d carve his own path while giving us the support we needed.
Turns out, we underestimated him. Over the next few months, he blew past all expectations.
His ambition was huge, and his knack for complex database queries opened up new possibilities for us. We just had to make sure the rest of the team could use his solutions.
Michael worked with us for years as a student—but unlike Jacob, he didn’t stick to part-time. He worked full-time while studying and still graduated on time with an impressive degree. The guy was a genius.
The First Step to a Permanent Job
As you might guess, after graduation, there were no permanent offers.
He took a temporary contract with bad terms—and to make things tougher, he’d just become a father and had a family to support.
Michael learned quickly. Even during his fixed-term contract, he built a strong network across the company.
That turned out to be the right move.
Due to a hiring freeze, we couldn’t keep him—even though we didn’t want to lose his skills. We also couldn’t bring him back through a consulting firm like Jacob.
It looked hopeless.
The Perfect Move for a Specialist
But there’s a happy ending.
I saw this coming early, so I kept pushing Michael to apply for any internal openings. As his mentor, I knew we had to keep someone like him in the company—even if it meant moving him to another department.
From my perspective, a company should not only hire talent but keep it long-term.
Michael impressed everyone—personally and professionally.
Applying internally paid off. Another department interviewed him, and he wowed them with his programming expertise.
Of course, we vouched for him—confirming he was an outstanding fit.
Now, he’s been thriving in that department for years.
Usually, internal job changes don’t come with big salary jumps. But Michael was different—his skills were in demand, and the hiring team was willing to pay way more.
A Win-Win for Everyone
Michael boosted his salary because he had deep, company-specific programming knowledge.
In three years, he nearly doubled his pay—without switching companies multiple times.
He had the skills the company needed, so he called the shots—not the other way around.
What Can You Learn from Michael?
- High-demand skills boost income just like job-hopping does.
- The game is the same for everyone. Young families don’t get an easier start.
- Networking is everything. You could be the best, but if no one knows you, no one can hire you.
What Made Jacob and Michael Special?
Both can look back proudly. In just a few years, they doubled their monthly budgets.
Their salaries and extra income grew, while their fixed costs stayed the same—meaning more savings.
Now, they have more freedom to plan their futures and enjoy some extra luxuries.
Meanwhile, other young employees in our department have accepted that their salaries won’t grow—even in a strong economy.
They’re frustrated and blame the company. But some are realizing they need to make changes to see real results.
Recently, one young employee took action—applied at a major car manufacturer nearby and landed the job.
Now, he works fewer hours with a huge pay bump. All it took was one application and one interview.
Frustration drove him to make the move—but honestly, he should’ve done it sooner.
The key? He took the leap and pushed for change.
Love It, Leave It, or Change It
Success comes down to mindset, skills, and the courage to make decisions.
Most importantly: A company owes you nothing. Only what’s in your contract.
In a free market, your career and salary depend on your employer’s whims.
You—and only you—are responsible for yourself.
Here’s how to win:
- Network: Build connections across multiple companies. You’ll need them eventually.
- Skills: Offer what companies want right now—like AI, blockchain, or programming.
- Be ready to change jobs: Early in your career, switch roles often. Cross-company moves bring the biggest raises.
Three Final Tips
Tip #1: Sharpen Your Strengths
If your contract allows, develop your skills with a side hustle.
Not everyone gets to do exactly what they love at their day job—especially since interests change over time. Plus, passion jobs often pay poorly.
The internet makes side hustles easier than ever. Use it!
This could be your first step toward entrepreneurship. One day, your side gig might outearn your main job. Why retire at 65 when you could do it at 40?
Tip #2: Plan Smart
Avoid part-time work early in your career.
I’ve noticed more new hires prioritizing work-life balance over rapid advancement. That sounds nice—but long-term, it’s a bad move.
The first five years are critical. They set the foundation for your future success. Move fast and make big progress early.
Once you have a family, settle in one place, or take on other commitments, switching jobs gets harder.
Eventually, you’ll make more and more compromises—until you’re stuck.
Tip #3: Nothing’s Free
When it comes to money, nothing’s handed to you. This applies to investments—and jobs.
A permanent job locks you into the hamster wheel of expenses and income.
If you’re jumping in, make sure it’s the most luxurious wheel possible. The more you earn, the closer you get to financial freedom.
Final Thoughts
It’s totally possible to significantly boost your income early in your career. It takes persistence, a solid plan, and strong networking.
Ignore the doubters. Start with a clear plan—no Plan B needed. Go all-in on Plan A, and keep a positive mindset.