Stuck at low CTC and low confidence

I was in your place till last year. Years of job searching and tons of interviews later, recruiters would push for 15-20% hike. Took a hit on time and stopped sharing my current salary. Say you are not comfortable that a number is dictating how should I earn. You'll encounter thousands assholes saying, this is the rule or we can't proceed without it. Just ask them to f off (professionally) You'll find one that give you double jumps for your skills and not what your earned. All the best!

Take my advice with a pinch of salt. The best advice which made me feel better is: The best person to compare with is yourself. Are you making a better salary than last year/month? Are you making good progress than previous month? You cannot just compare apples and oranges. Make peace with yourself keep improving every day. One day who know you can have a better offer than your friends.

Why don't you do offer jumps? Take x offer and negotiate on that. If your mental health is being affected, it is a red flag, screw it and make a boarding. After all it's the journey for most of us that led us to our desired salaries. Your friend might have reached there in a single attempt but don't be disheartened, we all have our own pace. I had waited for 3 years to catch up with my friends. My advice is don't give up your hope and take an offer and negotiate on that offer. It will at least bring you up to 2 steps ahead.

As a student and learner of life, I only have 2 suggestions for you. 1. Compare yourself only with who you were yesterday. Leave your friends by themselves. You have your own journey. Are you your superhero or not? 2. If you look up countless folks are making big coins. You will never be satisfied if you keep looking up. Today it's the friend with 20 tomorrow it will be your relative with 50 eventually your friend would now be at 80. You could also be at 90 but what's the point if your mental health is still Feckd up? Similarly, You can also choose to look down. People who are struggling to make 5. Delivering pizzas day and night to make 3 and 4. Remember, Life is in moderation. Look at the centre. Know yourself. Stay content. 3. Stop lying to yourself, you know what you have to do, what skills you need to get that next package. You don't need help from internet strangers who don't know you. Build a system for yourself and work hard. 💙💙 Our time is up. Please pay the therapy session fee at the reception.

My friend is 29, she's making 60lpa, at 29 i was getting married at 12lpa. At 35 almost I'm a little ahead of her. Don't fuck yourself - easier said than done. Keep at it - chopping away - and something will hit. Also upskill and make yourself that good that peeps wanna give you 100-200% hikes (easy when you're single digit)

I have a tier-1 college MBA + 14 YoE. My salary is almost 50% of many friends of mine. I used to feel the same as you. I have accepted that everyone has their own journey. I am better-off than many folks and there is nothing wrong with me. The ones I may look to , will be looking at others and feeling the same - so no point looking outwards. I am happy and comfortable with my pace :) Hope you find inner peace and leave the issues behind :)

I have the same issue, I don't know what to do :(