Operate like a free agent throughout your career
This is my 10th year in the energy & transport sector, and after seeing how much some of the senior engineers (8-10 years of experience) in my first company were earning at the start of my career, I realized early on that I DON’T want to be earning so little like them.
They were earning the American equivalent of USD 30k-40k per annum. Albeit a decent salary for a single person in Taiwan, feeding a family on this budget is way too tight.
Luckily I’m a female and I am supposedly not the breadwinner, but I know that simply following a comfortable vertical progression isn’t going fast-track me to a better salary or a better title. First three years, I thought if I stayed long in a company, I would be rewarded. I was promoted twice, in 2016 and 2017.
My boss gave me special treatment and wanted me to stay, but I know I’m being underpaid compared to the market. There are no loyalty points in staying too long at the same company. After my first job, I started strategizing my next move.
My first career move was with a different company but with the same salary because I wanted to learn surveying properly. In hindsight, I should’ve asked for more, but I didn’t.
The second time I moved, I got smarter. My salary went up one-fold.
My third career move got me three-fold my previous salary, and I got to move into a brand new industry. Had I stayed in my job, I would’ve thought that the salary I was getting in my second proper job was all I was worth. I also made sure that I was growing in skills, not just in salary.
My Salary Progression
2015—>2018 First Job 20% salary growth
2018—>2020 0% salary increase
2020—>2022 200% salary increase
2022—>2023 300% salary increase
I have been intentional about my career ever since. I actively apply for jobs every year which helps me know what I am worth in the market today. It also gives me the motivation to update my resume and see whether my skills are still relevant in the bigger climate.
View your current position as just a temporary "contract" and actively seek out the next opportunity to pursue.
Movie stars do not sit idly waiting for the next movie role to come their way. They actively network, promote themselves, and engage agents who are constantly scouting for their next opportunity. They are selective about the roles they accept, prioritizing ones that are meaningful to them and align with their career goals.
Because no matter how much you believe you’re irreplaceable, the truth is that you can be replaced. It doesn't matter how specialized your knowledge is or how unique your line of work may seem; a company can still survive without you. It's important to understand that no individual is indispensable.
You can also be the best person in the job but you might still not be hired. Remember, your whole existence is a giant sales pitch. You sell your likeability to friends so people want to befriend you; you sell your professionalism so companies will hire you, and you have an online presence so you gain more credibility.
Every invitation to a gig and an interview is a chance for you to SELL yourself. You might be more qualified than others, but you aren’t necessarily going to be the one who gets hired. Practice how to pitch, ask questions, and negotiate your worth. All of these skills carry over to other industries. Learning how to sell yourself should always be your number one priority.
I encourage everyone to adopt the mindset of a free agent. It is an increasingly necessary skill in today's job market, which can be unpredictable.
Don’t settle for “stability”. It does not pay! The only way to be safe from any layoffs is to remain competitive, and that is to always be learning and upgrading yourself in your field. This also applies to those who are starting businesses. Nothing is immune to change, so be the change yourself!
