Last year, Riya found herself stuck in a frustrating loop. She was working harder than ever, delivering results praised in every team meeting—but when appraisal season came, the raise didn’t reflect her effort.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
According to Gartner, only 46% of employees feel supported in their career development, even though companies continue to report strong profits. In 2025, salary growth will require deliberate strategies—not just hard work.
According to Gartner, 46% of employees feel supported in their career development, even though companies continue to report strong profits. In 2025, salary growth will require deliberate strategies—not just hard work.
Here are five proven strategies that can help both newcomers and experienced professionals take charge of their earning potential:
#1. Build a Multi-Skill Portfolio, Not Just a Resume
In today’s workplace, job titles evolve fast. Roles like AI Prompt Engineer or Sustainability Analyst barely existed a few years ago but now command salaries above market average.
Employers increasingly look for T-shaped professionals—those with depth in one field but also breadth across related skills.
📌 Insight: In India, professionals from Tier 2/3 cities who upskill in digital-first domains like cloud, AI, and data analytics are increasingly landing remote and higher-paying roles.
#2. Use the “Project Spotlight” Strategy
Doing good work silently often means getting overlooked. Visible impact drives recognition as much as results themselves.
How to spotlight without bragging:
- Send your manager a monthly update summarizing measurable results.
- Document wins like: “This campaign saved ₹3 lakh in vendor costs” or “Automation reduced 15 hours of manual work weekly.”
📌 Example: A mid-level IT engineer created a dashboard visualizing daily server downtime. Leadership shared it across teams, and he was promoted within six months—not for extra coding, but for making his work visible.
#3. Negotiate with Data, Not Just Hope
Salary negotiation is no longer taboo—it’s expected. But the approach matters.
Try this: “According to AmbitionBox, the median salary for this role is ₹14–16 LPA. My project saved ₹50 lakh annually, so I’d like to align closer to market value.”
📌 Insight: According to PayScale (2024), professionals who negotiate earn 7–10% more on average than those who don’t.
At FirstMile, our Value Hiring approach helps professionals benchmark their worth and connect with companies that recognize it.
#4. Diversify Your Income Streams
Freelancing and side projects are now mainstream strategies in India. Digital skills allow professionals to supplement full-time jobs with flexible projects, creating financial stability.
📌 Example: An HR professional built a side hustle teaching interview prep workshops. Within one year, she matched her three months’ salary through weekend sessions.
📌 Stat: Over 50% of Gen Z and Millennials freelance in some form (Upwork, 2024).
#5. Invest in Your Network, Not Just Your Work
The fastest salary jumps often come not from tenure, but from opportunity—and referrals remain the most reliable gateway.
📌 Stat: Referral hires earn 10–15% more and get hired 55% faster than non-referrals (Jobvite, 2024).
Strong networks open doors. FirstMile helps amplify this by connecting talent with roles where their potential is recognized.
Riya’s Story, Rewritten
By applying these strategies—spotlighting her work, negotiating with data, and building a multi-skill portfolio—Riya didn’t just get a raise. She doubled her income in under two years and stepped into roles she once thought were out of reach.
The workplace in 2025 belongs to professionals who are adaptable, visible, and strategic. Whether you’re just starting out or leading teams, these strategies can help you claim the growth you deserve.
🔗 Connecting the Dots with FirstMile
Strategies fuel growth, but the right opportunities shape careers. At FirstMile, we specialize in Value Hiring and career matchmaking—connecting professionals with companies that recognize their true worth.
With us, you can: ✅ Benchmark your market worth ✅ Access higher-paying opportunities ✅ Break location barriers with remote and hybrid roles
Career growth isn’t just about working harder—it’s about finding the right path forward. That’s where FirstMile walks with you.
Originally published on FirstMile’s official LinkedIn page.
