HACKER Q&A
📣 LZ_Khan

Is it harder to negotiate higher salary if you leave your current role?


Hi Hn,

Had a somewhat basic question. I've been contemplating taking a gap year from my well-paying role in the valley to travel. However, I've had advice from some friends that I shouldn't leave my current job before finding a new role because my current job will provide leverage in salary negotiations. How true is this? Will leaving my current role prematurely hurt my salary prospects in new jobs?

  👤 askafriend Accepted Answer ✓
It's not true.

I took most of the year off last time I left a job and I was able to get multiple offers when I was ready to jump back in.

Keep in mind my resume is great, I interview well, and I have savings. Not a single company cared that I took time off. Every single one offered me extremely competitive top-of-range compensation.

My leverage was simple - the ability to walk away and other offers/interviews on the table.

If you come off as desperate then yeah companies will use that against you. If you speak softly and indicate indirectly that you're in control - you'll get the respect you deserve.

👤 alexfromapex
Yes it’s true. It’s archaic that employers still care but being employed gives you some leverage and the longer your gap the more they seem to judge you.
👤 b20000
you could find a role that pays more first, and set the starting date such that you can travel before starting in the new role. this only works if you can still stay for a few months. if you need to GTFO right now for mental health then you have to pay attention to that. your health is more important.
👤 baremetal
>because my current job will provide leverage in salary negotiations. How true is this?

extremely true.