Last week, I had a conversation with a professional who was feeling trapped.

Let’s call her Tara.

Tara was making multiple six figures in base salary and bonuses. On paper, she had a dream job. But behind the scenes, she was drowning in chaos. Her boss lacked strategic direction, constantly changed priorities, and created an unpredictable work environment. The stress was mounting, and Tara knew it was time to move on.

But one fear held her back: Would she ever find another role that paid as well?

We dug into this fear together, and what we uncovered changed everything.

The Salary Trap: Challenging Limiting Beliefs

Tara had convinced herself that leaving meant taking a huge pay cut. Why? Because every job posting she saw on LinkedIn listed a salary far below her current compensation.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the thing - Tara was operating under two flawed assumptions:

1. LinkedIn job postings define the only salary expectations.
2. She wasn’t valuable enough to command her current salary elsewhere.

Let’s break those down.

Assumption #1: LinkedIn = Salary Reality

LinkedIn is a great research tool, but it doesn’t tell the full story. Companies often exclude bonuses, details of stock option plans or fail to update listings to reflect market shifts.

Instead of relying solely on LinkedIn, I encouraged Tara to:

• Use platforms like Payscale.com to see salary trends across industries and locations.
• Tap into her network to uncover real-time salary insights from professionals in her space.
• Have open conversations during the interview process to gauge flexibility in compensation.

When Tara expanded her research, she realized her assumptions were limiting her options. She wasn’t stuck - she just needed better data.

Assumption #2: Forgetting Your Own Value

Toxic workplaces have a way of making even the most talented professionals doubt themselves.

Tara had been so caught up in survival mode that she forgot what made her exceptional. She wasn’t just a high performer - she was an asset.

I walked her through an exercise:

1. List major accomplishments from past roles. What results had she driven? What impact had she made?
2. Seek external perspective. What did trusted colleagues and mentors say about her strengths?
3. Reframe her mindset. Instead of thinking, “Will anyone else pay me this much?” she started asking, “How can I position my skills to attract the right compensation?”

The Outcome: A Confident Job Search

Tara walked away with a plan. She started reaching out to her network, refining her career narrative, and approaching her job search with confidence. She was no longer searching from a place of fear - she was in control.

If you’re feeling stuck in a toxic but high-paying job, you’re not alone. The path forward is to challenge your assumptions, get the right data, and own your value.

​Need help figuring out your next move? Let’s chat. I’m offering a free 30-minute strategy session to help you navigate your job search with confidence.

​Click here to book your call.​

You deserve a job that values both your talent and your well-being.

Until next week!

Beckie

When you’re ready, here are 2 ways I can help…

1. ​Transform your career in 2025: Join the waitlist for my signature coaching program and get exclusive FREE content from me now to start making moves in your career.
2. ​Optimize your digital presence and start landing interviews: Grab my LinkedIn Guide for Job Seekers and discover how easy it is to update your LinkedIn profile with my step-by-step frameworks and easy-to-use content pillars. This guide will help you get noticed and stand out to hiring managers and recruiters.