My Salary Doubled In 6 Months—Now I’ll Teach You How
“Salary growth: a true story of career reinvention, confidence, and earning what you’re worth.”
When was the last time your salary increased significantly? Would you like to earn twice as much as you do now without waiting years?
I imagine most people would answer “yes” to that question—and then quickly follow it with a “but” or two to explain why it’s not possible for them, or why they shouldn’t aim for more because what they have now is “actually quite good” (even though it doesn’t pay much).
I know, because I had a whole list of “buts” myself:
- But I don’t want to work more
- But I don’t want to lose my flexible work hours
- But I like my manager and team
- But my profession doesn’t pay much everywhere
Guess what? I found a job within my profession that doubled my salary and:
- I work less
- My hours are even more flexible
- And I still like my manager and team
In this article, I’ll explain exactly what I did to land my dream job and get paid twice as much. I’ll share my personal story and then break it down into easy, actionable steps you can follow to double your salary in six months.
This post is a long one because it’s meant to be transformational. So grab a cup of tea or coffee, a notepad, and a pen to write down what resonates with you—and carve out some time for your career growth and reinvention. You’ll thank me in six months when you see your new payslip!
From $X/month to 2x $X/month
First Career Change in Prague
From Board Member to Entry-Level: The Humbling Restart
We relocated to Prague as a family in 2019 for my husband’s job—and because we wanted better opportunities for our children. I was on maternity leave with our second son and had to quit my job. At the time, I was Head of Research and a Member of the Board of Directors at the largest independent wealth manager in my country. A pretty important position.
I was making investment decisions for people’s savings and retirement funds, managing millions of dollars, and taking part in strategic business growth projects from planning to execution.
I loved my job, but it was a lot—in terms of hours and stress. So I didn’t mind the change. In fact, I embraced it as a new beginning. I love new beginnings.
We call them “new,” but they never really are.
It might feel like you’re starting from scratch, but you’re not—all your past skills, knowledge, and experience come with you.
I started looking for my next job. The challenge was, I didn’t speak Czech, which is essential in the Czech Republic. In wealth management, 90% of the job is client relationships. Without the language, I couldn’t do it.
So I had to pivot. But my years of experience in wealth management and research weren’t very relevant for other positions. I ended up accepting an entry-level job in the Market Risk department of a German investment bank.
I went from being a Board Member to a junior valuations specialist. You can imagine the salary drop.
The job itself was extremely demanding. We had daily, monthly, and quarterly processes with tight deadlines, responded to audit questions, wrote detailed documentation, and automated processes. I was under a lot of pressure and working long hours.
On the bright side, my manager was the best I’ve ever had, and the team was amazing—friendly, supportive, and full of laughter. I miss them to this day.
Second Career Change in Prague
Realizing Effort ≠ Earnings
Two years into that job, I found out something surprising: the business analysts in our Technology department—who worked with us on software improvements—were paid much more than I was. I was shocked.
Their job seemed much easier than mine, and yet they earned significantly more. That’s when I realized that in large corporations, your salary often depends less on your personal performance and more on which department you’re in and whether the company is looking to grow or shrink it.
I was in Market Risk, a back-office function, and the bank was trying to optimize costs—meaning automation, restructuring, and layoffs. When people left or were let go and not replaced, the “reward” for surviving the cut was getting more work for the same pay. In a way, being a high performer meant being punished.
Meanwhile, the business analysts were part of the Technology hub, which was considered a strategic growth area. That’s where the budget was—and the higher salaries.
I’m sharing all this because it’s important to understand:
If you’re in a big company, the most important salary factor is macro-level—which department you’re in, and whether the company wants to grow it or shrink it.
If you’re doing a great job, getting positive annual reviews, but still not getting promoted or seeing salary increases, it’s probably not you. You’re likely in a non-strategic department. You may need to switch departments internally—or find a new employer.
The Job That Could Have Changed Everything — And Almost Didn’t
Back to my story. I had two options: stay in my current role or try for a better-paid business analyst job. Actually, I had a third option—transfer internally to the Technology hub. But at the time, I didn’t believe that was possible. I thought I was too “needed” where I was and that no one would support my move.
Do you know which option I picked at first?
I stayed.
Then, I was contacted on LinkedIn by an HR consultant who offered me the chance to apply for a tech business analyst role at another investment bank—at twice my current salary. I politely declined.
I remember telling my husband the story while we were on holiday, laughing about it as a silly anecdote.
He, being the practical one, couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He sat me down and gave me a motivational speech that basically woke me up. He addressed all my fears one by one and encouraged me to apply.
Your Double-Pay Job Might Be One Application Away
Truth: The hardest part isn’t landing the job—it’s believing you should apply.
It might surprise you, but the hardest part for me was simply deciding to apply.
If it weren’t for my husband, I might still be working long hours in that old job, earning a salary that barely covered a fraction of the lifestyle I dreamed of.
Fast forward 12 months: I was settled in my new role, earning twice as much, living in a new home I could now afford, enjoying a flexible schedule, and feeling very little stress. I was also learning new skills every day.
I realize not everyone has a cheerleader by their side. That’s why I wrote this article—so I can be that person for you.
To help you apply for that role you think is out of reach.
To encourage you to step out of your comfort zone.
To support you in landing the salary you deserve.
Now that you know how I did it, I want to help you do the same. The next section is where we turn my journey into a step-by-step plan you can follow—even if you’re starting over, just like I did.
5 Steps to Double Your Salary in 6 Months
These are the exact five steps I followed to go from overworked and underpaid to earning double my salary in less than a year. They’re simple—but not always easy—and they work if you stay consistent. Each step builds on the previous one, so follow them in order, take notes, and trust the process. Let’s go.
Step 1: Set Your Goal
Set your goal—loud and clear. Write it down, pin it to your fridge, add it to your journal—whatever works for you. Be honest with yourself, drop the fears and insecurities, and get into the right mindset. Most importantly, add a specific timeframe. You’ll be surprised how powerful that is:
- “I will double my salary by the end of this year.”
- “I will earn $X per month by [Month].”
Once you’ve set your goal, tune in to your inner voice. What is it saying? Is it trying to talk you out of it?
“It’s impossible.”
“I’m not good enough.”
“This won’t work for me.”
If that voice is filled with doubt, please know this is normal. Your brain is wired to resist change—not because it’s right, but because it wants to keep you “safe” in the familiar.
For me, this was the hardest step. Everything else flowed naturally once I got past this point.
But if you’ve read this far, deep down you already believe you’re meant for more. Let me remind you: there are jobs out there that pay twice what you’re making now. And the people in those jobs? Many of them are not smarter or more hard-working than you.
So what’s holding you back?
Do the inner work. Let go of the fear. Build confidence. Be your own cheerleader.
And don’t worry—you don’t have to master this mindset before moving to the next step. Keep working on it in parallel as you progress. Just make sure that by the time you reach Step 5, you’ve fully committed to your goal.
Step 2: Identify Roles That Pay Twice Your Salary
Start by exploring opportunities within your current company. Look at what people in other departments are doing—and how much they’re earning.
You might be surprised: this information isn’t as confidential as it once was.
Thanks to the EU Pay Transparency Directive (fully in effect by 2026), companies must disclose salaries in job postings, and employees have the right to compare their pay with others in similar roles. Salary transparency is becoming the norm.
Next, expand your search externally:
- Browse job boards like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, or Wellfound (AngelList).
- Use salary filters to match your target income.
- Explore both local and remote roles—you might find international companies offering much higher pay for your skill-set.
This step also requires active networking.
Talk to colleagues. Attend company events. Say yes to coffee chats. Join industry meetups, school parent groups, workshops, or team-building events. Be approachable, curious, and kind—and you’ll be amazed at how generous people can be with their advice and connections.
Focus on roles aligned with your education, experience, and transferable skills. Even if you don’t meet 100% of the job requirements, aim for at least 50%. Many skills you already have—like communication, organization, or stakeholder management—can carry over into more lucrative roles.
Step 3: Upgrade Your Skills
Once you’ve identified higher-paying roles, examine the gaps. What skills or qualifications do you need to be competitive?
In my case, I discovered that technology business analysts were earning much more than I was. Their job? Translating business needs into software requirements for developers to implement. I knew I could do it—but my CV didn’t show any relevant tech skills.
So I got to work.
- I enrolled in the FreeCodeCamp Python course and earned a certification. www.freecodecamp.org
(Confession: it was tough. No ChatGPT or Gemini back then—I did all the projects myself. My weekends were gone for months.) - I also volunteered at work to automate processes using Excel VBA and SQL. This gave me practical examples to talk about during interviews.
My advice to you:
- Complete a reputable online course that issues a certificate.
- Apply your new skills in your current job so you can showcase them with real-life examples.
Even small projects count—automate a report, redesign a dashboard, improve a process. These all make great talking points in interviews.
Step 4: Connect with People in Higher-Paying Roles
Even after I had the skills and job titles in mind, I still felt unsure. I didn’t fully believe I was “good enough” to make the leap.
This is where Step 4 came in—and it made a big difference.
I reached out to a colleague I had worked with on a tech project. She was a business analyst, and I had represented the business side. I asked her about her role and background, and she was incredibly generous in explaining everything in detail.
Around the same time, I met another business analyst during a German language class. I asked him about his job too—and again, the insight helped build my confidence.
Surround yourself with people who already have the job you want. Ask questions. Learn about their journey. You’ll start to realize that you’re just as capable—and that belief will fuel your next move.
Don’t underestimate the power of casual conversations. One chat could change how you see your career potential.
Step 5: Apply for Jobs the Smart Way
Here’s how to approach the application process strategically:
1. Update Your CV
Make your CV AI-friendly and keyword-optimized. Today, most resumes are screened by applicant tracking systems (ATS). Learn how to format yours so it passes.
Pro tip: Use numbers, numbers, numbers. Quantify your achievements as much as possible.
Examples:
- Reduced reporting time by 40% through automation
- Managed portfolios worth $10M
- Led a project that increased customer satisfaction by 25%
2. Polish Your LinkedIn Profile
Look at high-quality profiles in your field and borrow formatting, tone, and structure. Make your profile visually clean, easy to scan, and keyword-rich.
If applying through LinkedIn, check who posted the job and send them a message after you apply. It shows initiative and personal interest.
3. Network Within Target Companies
Before applying, check if you know anyone (or know someone who knows someone) at the company. Look for:
- Alumni from your university
- People from your home country
- Former colleagues
- Friends of friends
Reach out, introduce yourself, and explain your interest in the company. Ask for advice—or even a referral. People are often more open to helping than we expect, especially if you’re respectful and sincere.
4. Prepare for Interviews
Don’t just apply—prepare. Practice common interview questions for the roles you’re targeting. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
Ask a friend to do a mock interview with you. The goal is to sound confident and clear—not perfect.
5. Negotiate the Offer
When the offer comes, don’t be afraid to negotiate. Even a 5–10% increase can compound over time. Do your research, know your market value, and ask respectfully—but firmly.
🔍 Bonus: Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting to feel “100% ready” before applying
- Aiming too low because of imposter syndrome
- Applying with a generic CV
- Ignoring interview prep
- Not negotiating your salary
- Skipping internal networking opportunities
Final Words
Each of these five steps builds on the other, and they’re all within your reach. Start where you are. Take consistent action. Don’t be afraid to aim higher than feels comfortable.
You deserve to earn what you’re worth—and I promise, doubling your salary is not only possible, it’s absolutely doable.
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