Wow, so many great suggestions! For those who want to maximize their earning potential, I would recommend the following action:
Joining Toastmasters International - for some $100 a year, I have learned when to start talking, what to say, how to say it in fewer words, and when to shut up. I also created a strong professional network of fellow project managers, serial entrepreneurs, nurses, retired officials who had a habit to testify before US Congress back in the day, MBAs who know people in the high places, and retired military officers who created a Toastmasters club for homeless vets to help the vets deal with their mental issues. Did I mention that, like many on this forum, I am strongly introverted? Within the last four years, knowing what to say and how helped me get:
- A job in another department with corresponding 25% pay raise
- After a layoff, finding a job within a few weeks and negotiating compensation from initial offer with 52% salary drop to final offer with 40% salary drop
- Finding another job in a nicer environment and negotiating the offer from initial 30% to final 35% raise