It’s a familiar frustration: a colleague gets promoted after a counteroffer. You’ve been loyal, they’ve been interviewing.
Seems unfair, right?
But it’s a fair game. Here’s why you should still explore, even when you’re content:
1. Find career direction
After years in the same job, you might feel like you’re not going anywhere. Market checks can restore your motivation, offering insights into what you value in your current role and what your future aspirations might be. It provides clarity.
2. Shift your perspective
Picture this: another year, another review, and still no raise, no title change. You’re starting to feel trapped, helpless even. You see colleagues moving up, while you’re stuck. It’s easy to get stuck on these perceived shortcomings, to let that frustration grow. But then, you dip your toe into the market. You start looking at other roles, other companies. And something shifts. You realise, actually, your salary isn’t half bad. You learn that the ‘perfect’ company doesn’t exist — every place has its challenges, just like every person does. Suddenly, those ‘shortcomings’ don’t seem too painful. You’ve gained perspective, and that changes everything.
3. Understand the market and make sure you get a fair pay
At the end of the day, work is about getting paid for what you do. You’re selling your skills. To know your worth, you need to research the market. Just as you’d compare cleaning robots for the best deal, you should compare your salary and benefits.
4. Prepare for uncertainty
Remember the last couple of years? Economic downturns hit hard. Layoffs became a reality, not just headlines. Friends, colleagues — people I knew — were suddenly out of work. You don’t want to be caught unprepared when that happens. Interview skills aren’t something you just ‘have’; they need practice. Trust me, you don’t want to blow your dream job because you haven’t interviewed in years. Regular practice? It’s not just about getting the job; it’s about reducing that horrible feeling of fear and building the confidence to face whatever comes next.
While companies won't outwardly encourage it, exploring opportunities benefits them too:
- Boost Employee Motivation & Upskilling
When employees get too comfortable, they risk becoming less valuable. It’s never a good look for a company to have to let those loyal employees go, but at the end of the day, it’s a business. Companies need to ensure every penny counts. Having employees who are actively aware of the market can actually benefit the company. It pushes them to upskill, bring in fresh ideas, and stay ahead of industry trends.
2. Guarantee internal fairness
Companies will adjust salaries to match market rates, even for loyal employees who aren’t actively job-hunting, knowing that external hiring uses different pay scales.
Summary
Despite it feeling counterintuitive, I recommend dedicating a small amount of time each year to exploring opportunities and interviewing. Here’s a recap:
- Find career direction: Market exploration provides clarity and prevents getting stuck in a rut.
- Shift your perspective: Market exploration allows you to objectively assess your position and appreciate the positives of your existing job.
- Understand the market and make sure you get a fair pay: Market research ensures you’re paid fairly and competitively.
- Prepare for uncertainty: Practicing interview skills and staying informed helps you remain resilient.
Benefits for Companies:
- Boost Employee Motivation & Upskilling: Market awareness encourages employees to stay sharp and bring fresh ideas.
- Guarantee internal fairness: Companies adjust salaries to align with market rates.
It’s not about changing jobs, but rather understanding your market value and potentially reaffirming your satisfaction with your current role.
Useful Links
Please note: Images in the articles are generated using Jimeng AI and modified in Adobe Photoshop and Figma.
