If you’re a mid-to-senior level professional earning a high salary but struggling to land new job offers, this article is a must-read.
A recent conversation with an engineering manager earning over ₹55 lakhs per year revealed a surprising truth high salaries can become invisible cages if not handled strategically. But the good news? With the right positioning and a growth mindset, you can break through that ceiling.
The Problem: “I’m Not Getting Calls Anymore”
This individual worked at an IT services company, had around 12–15 years of experience, and was even performing duties above his official title leading projects while his boss was on extended leave. Despite a strong background, he wasn’t getting callbacks.
Why?
Recruiters and hiring managers told him his salary was “beyond their budget”, even for lateral roles like Engineering Manager or Program Manager. This left him feeling stuck.
The Root Causes
We identified three key mistakes he was making:
- Under-Selling Himself: Despite handling director-level responsibilities, his resume and applications still targeted mid-level roles.
- Targeting the Same Industry: He was applying only to similar service-based companies that had limited salary bands.
- Poor Personal Branding: His LinkedIn was inactive, his resume outdated, and his professional narrative undersold his business impact.
The Breakthrough Strategy
To shift the trajectory, we reworked his entire approach.
Target New Company Types
We advised him to explore:
- Global Capability Centers (GCCs)
- Product-based startups
- Late-stage funded startups
- Consulting firms
These organizations tend to have broader budgets and more room for growth.
Aim Higher
He wasn’t just an Engineering Manager — he was functioning as a Director. We helped him pitch for Director-level or Associate VP roles, reflecting his actual value.
Rebrand & Reposition
- His resume was rewritten to highlight business impact, transformation ownership, and leadership across cross-functional teams.
- His LinkedIn was revived with a new profile photo, updated role descriptions, and regular content to warm up his network.
Network Smartly
We encouraged him to reach out to 20–30 connections, not to ask for jobs, but to re-engage. A warm network is more powerful than any job board or cold application.
Prepare Like a Pro
High-level interviews go beyond technical skills. He practiced responding to questions on:
- Strategy and scaling
- Conflict and negotiation
- Metrics and business KPIs
- Profitability and transformation initiatives
The Result
Within weeks of this transformation:
- Recruiters no longer saw him as “too expensive.”
- He started getting calls for Director-level roles.
- Eventually, he received an offer from a GCC with a ₹60+ LPA package.
Was it a massive salary leap? Not exactly. But it was a strategic progression and more importantly, a role aligned with his true capabilities and future goals.
Key Takeaways for You
If you feel like your current high salary is holding you back, try these steps:
Change Your Industry
Apply in sectors that value innovation and leadership more than rigid salary brackets.
Upgrade Your Role Target
If you’re already doing more, aim higher. Don’t settle.
Rebrand Yourself
Speak the language of value and impact, not just responsibilities.
Expand Your Location & Network
Be flexible with location, and warm up your professional relationships.
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
You don’t rise to the level of your potential — you fall to the level of your preparation.
Final Thoughts
A high salary is only a trap if you allow it to limit your vision. The job market rewards clarity, confidence, and positioning not just years of experience. You’re not stuck. You just need to reframe your career narrative.
Start with a fresh resume. Update that LinkedIn. Build momentum with small changes and watch how doors begin to open.
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