Is it Still Possible to Get a Better Job with Higher Compensation in 2020?

Before the onset of COVID-19 and social distancing you may have set a New Year’s resolution for 2020 for it to be “the year” that you find and land a better job with higher compensation. With everything that has transpired as a result of COVID-19, you may not be as hopeful or optimistic that this can be a reality for you.

Don’t lose hope! Companies are still hiring during COVID-19; they need great talent to navigate these challenging times and to help them pivot into new ways of operating and thriving as a business.

Your responsibility is to get in the right mindset to not only find, but also to attract this higher-paying job and new opportunity.

Here are 4 Steps to get you started:

1. Adopt a Worthy Mindset: First, you must start with believing you are worthy of a higher paying job that you enjoy. You do this by taking inventory of where you’ve been and what you’ve done. Carve out some time on your calendar and do a “Career in Review” by looking at projects you spearheaded and individuals with whom you collaborated. Utilize the STAR method which stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Document these activities and events so you realize (and remember!) all you’ve accomplished! This exercise will also help you prepare for the inevitable behavioral interview questions “Tell me about a time when you had to…” (Note: it’s a good idea to keep a running list of your STAR contributions, or at least conduct an annual “year in review” audit.)
2. Inventory Your Value: Once your mindset is set, continue your contemplation by specifying what a better job will look like for you. Prioritize what matters to you when it comes to the work you do and how you do it. Sure, more compensation is great, but if it requires working on nights and weekends, you may want to reconsider. This self-inquiry assessment will also help you realize your own worth -because when interview time comes around, you will interview the company just as much as they interview you. You’ll set yourself up as a high-value candidate who does thorough due diligence and knows what you want.
3. Make Your Unique Contribution Stand-Out: Once you’ve taken inventory and are feeling confident in what you have to offer -it’s time to assess why you and your unique combination of skills and experience are valuable to your future employer. Any up-level in responsibilities and compensation will require you to consider the business and how your position will make an impact. Doing your research online and through your network about the organization will give you more confidence in an interview because you’ll be asking contextual questions about the organization -and how your role fits into its short- and long-term success. Knowing about the business and what their biggest challenges and opportunities are will position you as high value and will differentiate you from other candidates vying for the same role.
4. Surround Yourself with Positivity: A job search is a marathon not a sprint. Stay the course, especially as you navigate these choppy COVID-19 waters. Be sure to surround yourself with people who support you and reinforce what you want and what you deserve. Also, look for examples and evidence of others who are landing roles in your industry. The old adage of focus on the positive eliminate the negative sings true here.

It is still possible to land a new role that you love and pays you what you are worth in 2020. Your challenge? Take the first step in believing you are worthy of it and focus on it happening for you and it will.

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