Job switches often bring a mix of excitement and uncertainty. For some professionals, changing companies can mean a new role and fresh responsibilities. For others, it can also become a chance to negotiate better pay. But how much difference can a job change actually make to someone’s earnings?Shrasti Chaudhary’s five-year career journey has started a conversation around that question. In an Instagram post, she spoke about her experience of moving between companies, negotiating her salary and checking where her skills stood in the job market.
Her salary doubled after the first switch
Chaudhary said she entered the workforce with a ₹5 lakh per annum (LPA) package. Her first move to another company brought a major change in her earnings.“I started with 5 LPA, the typical fresher’s package. Today, I’m at almost 6X growth in 5 years. This didn’t happen through 10% appraisals. With my first job switch, my salary doubled, a 100% hike. After that, every switch gave me a 30% to 50% jump. Once, I even received an appraisal within the same company,” she said.ID@undefined Caption not available.ID@undefined Caption not available.
‘I wanted growth’
Chaudhary said her approach to changing jobs was questioned by others. She was advised that frequent moves could make her CV look less favourable and that staying with one employer would be better.Her experience, however, was different.“5 years, 4 companies, almost 6X growth. People used to say, ‘Your CV will look bad, stay loyal.’ If I had listened to them, I would still be stuck in that same salary range today. At every switch, I was asked, ‘Why so many switches?’ I said, ‘I wanted growth.’ And I still got the offer,” she added.
Her advice on checking your market value
Beyond switching jobs, Chaudhary’s main advice was to understand what the market is offering for one’s skills.She said professionals can check this even when they have no immediate plans to leave their current workplace.“Internally, companies look at your previous salary. Externally, the market values you based on current market rates. That’s why every 1.5 to 2 years, you should check the market and interview, even if you don’t plan on switching. Whether you are underpaid or not won’t come from a feeling; it comes from data. Switching jobs isn’t just company hopping; it’s growth,” she said.According to her, interviewing can help employees understand current market rates and assess whether they are being paid in line with those rates.
Social media users react
Her post also drew comments from people discussing career growth and job changes.“Six times growth in five years is impressive,” one person wrote.“Staying too comfortable can cost you growth,” another commented.“This is very true,” a third user said.Another added, “Sometimes switching is the only way to get a fair hike.”Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on details shared publicly on Instagram. The Times of India has not independently verified the claims made in the post.Thumb image: Instagram
