The No. 1 Way to Land the Salary You Actually Want in 2022 — Without Changing Your Job

The Washington Post calls today’s state of employment “the most unusual job market in modern American history.”

Why? Despite a steep downturn in the early pandemic, the unemployment rate has recovered “more rapidly than at all but one point since World War II,” according to the Post. 

This has contributed to a Great Resignation, in which workers are quitting at unprecedented rates. What comes as bad news for employers is welcome to workers and job hunters, who are in a prime position to negotiate with their current organizations.

Today’s war for talent has escalated, with competition for talent at an all-time high. Yet you don’t need to start looking for a new job if you want to elevate your role. If you’re looking to stay at your current employer, you’re in an excellent position to get the salary you deserve.

So, what’s the no. 1 way to get the raise you want without leaving an employer you love?

Find out the current market rate for your role.

There are a few ways to do this. Bianca Riemer, a leadership coach, advises workers to consult recruitment specialists to find out how the going rate for people with their skills, role and expertise. They can then use that information to approach their employer with a request for a raise.

Riemer also encourages employees to get a job offer from a competitor. “Do not tell them your current level of compensation,” she says. “Instead, ask them to pay you at least the current market rate for the role. Then, have a meeting with your current employer, telling them you got an offer from a competitor but would be willing to stay, provided they give you an appropriate raise.”

You can also use tools like Glassdoor’s Salary Calculator to “know your worth.” However, these platforms don’t take all of your information, such as your work history, into account — typically, they only look at factors like title and role, so they’re usually not as accurate as a recruitment professional or hiring managers in the industry.

Either way, your chances of landing that raise are high. Many U.S. businesses are planning to give their employees raises this year, averaging 3%, up 0.3% from raises in 2021, according to a Willis Towers Watson survey. 

The bottom line? Now is the time to get the pay you deserve.

What's your no. 1 piece of advice for negotiating a raise? Share your answer in the comments to help other Fairygodboss members!

About the Career Expert:

 Laura Berlinsky-Schine is a freelance writer and editor based in Brooklyn with her demigod/lab mix Hercules. She specializes in education, technology and career development. She also writes satire and humor, which has appeared in Slackjaw, Points in Case, Little Old Lady Comedy, Jane Austen’s Wastebasket and The Haven.