How To Secure A Job with More Money in 2024

It seemed too good to be true, and that’s because it was.

Job-juggling – sometimes called “polyworking” or plain old double jobbing – was hitting headlines for a while, but as the perils of holding down multiple employments became clear, many realized it wasn’t the optimal way to bring in more money.

If you are looking to increase your income this year, making the move to a new job – instead of burning yourself out with a side hustle or other job alongside your existing one – can be the way to do this.

There are several smart and strategic approaches to make sure your next move boosts your career – and your paycheck.

Be industry-savvy when job hunting

First things first: before casting out a wide net, make sure that there isn’t any in-house hiring happening. Employee replacement costs can be high, in some cases as high as 60% of an employee’s annual salary, which may put you in a great position for an internal promotion.

If you are looking outside of your org, stay open-minded and explore industries with high-talent demand.

The tech labor shortage gets a lot of attention, but research from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce shows that the professional and business service sector – which covers everything from legal services and scientific research to hands-on jobs like landscaping, catering and cleaning – is consistently showing high levels of openings.

When researching other industries, make sure to take any benefits into account too, as they can dramatically affect your bottom line.

For example, if you work as a chef, you might find that the commercial sector offers similar work but with a much more comprehensive benefits package, as well as a more competitive salary.

The Hill Jobs Board has hundreds of openings across a wide array of industries, and you might find that your skills are better rewarded in a sector that’s rapidly growing.

The right way to upskill

You don’t have to dramatically pivot your career to seriously boost your earnings. If anything, the opposite is true – research what ways your industry is changing and what its needs are to figure out if you can upskill to be able to meet them.

Almost eight in 10 US companies have plans to use AI technology in the future, so chances are it is going to impact your work at some stage.

Could you sharpen your digital skills? Are there automation opportunities within your role that you could lead?

 Being able to work these new tools into existing processes will be hugely valuable.

The key to confident negotiating

When you finally land that job offer, it will quite literally pay to be prepared.

Firstly, you’ll need good information; knowing that what you are asking for isn’t outside of the norm for your role can be a big confidence booster.

This is particularly important if you are a woman or belong to a minority group. In the US, male annual earnings continue to outpace those of female workers by thousands of dollars, which is why arming yourself with as much information as possible is critical.

Salary range transparency laws are on the rise and they are set to play an important role in closing gender pay gaps. Eight states have enacted, and at least 15 states are considering, so use these to assess the going rate for your role, and negotiate accordingly.

Curious about what’s out there? Browse The Hill Jobs Board for fresh opportunities, like the three below.

Project Manager, Real Property, Sound Transit, Seattle

With a salary range of $65k to $150k and a competitive benefits package, public transit agency Sound Transit is hiring a Project Manager to lead their property management and acquisitions projects. This senior role will see you lead programs across property appraisal, acquisition, relocation and surplus property sales, all the while ensuring adherence to federal and state regulations. Experience in real estate is a must, as is a Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, real estate, finance or a closely related field. Find out everything you need to know here.

Executive Chef, Greek House Chefs, University of Washington

Developing menus and recipes as well as recruiting and managing kitchen staff are key responsibilities in your role as Executive Chef at the University of Washington with Greek House Chefs. You will also be responsible for liaising with vendors and clients and coordinating training activities for your kitchen and production teammates. You’ll need at least two years of lead sous or executive chef experience and, ideally, a culinary degree. Get all the information on the role.

Director, Regulatory Affairs, Flexible Packaging Association, Annapolis

As Regulatory Affairs Director, you’ll bring analysis and response to legislative and regulatory proposals impacting manufacturers of flexbible packaging. Primary agencies are FDA, EPA and OSHA, and your main focus areas will be toxics in packaging; facitliy EHS; medical device packaging issues; food waste reduction; and sustainability and circularity of packaging. Reporting to the president and CEO, you will also work closely with the director, government affairs. A Bachelor’s degree is required with up to five years’ experience. The position requires travel. For more on the role and to apply, see here.

For these and many more opportunities, explore The Hill Jobs Board today