A 60% raise will give even the most cautious professionals pause for thought. After all, career advice in the corporate world has long been simple: If a better job opportunity comes along, take it. Higher pay often means career advancement, greater responsibility, and the opportunity to improve your personal financial future.But one Bengaluru-based tech professional is challenging that logic, arguing that stability may be more valuable than a higher salary in today’s uncertain job market.This advice shared by Sunny Kumar in an Instagram video has resonated with many professionals and the IT industry is very different from what it was a few years ago.
Attractive offer but something went wrong
Kumar tells the story of a friend who works for Mastercard in Pune. According to him, the employee had what many professionals would consider an ideal environment, a respected employer, a good salary, and a position in which he felt comfortable. Then he got an offer from a smaller consulting firm.What’s the gain? The salary increase is an astonishing 60%. For most employees, this jump is hard to ignore. Kumar admitted as much in his video. Few people would be willing to turn down that kind of money, he said.His friends didn’t. He resigned from a multinational company and joined the consulting firm, believing the move would accelerate his career and revenue growth. Instead, it became a lesson in how quickly fortunes can change in the tech industry.Within six months, the consulting firm reportedly lost the project that employed him. Without that business, the company no longer needs the role. The employee was allegedly asked to resign or face dismissal.Eventually, he lost his job. The generous salary increase that had persuaded him to switch employers suddenly became meaningless.
Why this advice resonates
Citing the incident as an example, Kumar urged professionals to think twice before chasing higher salaries, especially in the current market.“If you have a stable job with a good salary and a good company, then I really recommend not to change jobs even if you get a 60-70% raise, or even 100%, for at least six months to a year. The IT industry is really unstable these days,” he said.His warning comes as job security becomes a growing concern across the tech industry. The post-pandemic hiring frenzy has created a generation of professionals accustomed to frequent job changes and rapid salary increases. But the world has changed dramatically. Layoffs, project cancellations, restructuring and cost-cutting measures are becoming increasingly common across the industry.For many employees, the question is no longer how much the new job will pay. The question is whether the job will still be around a year from now.
not everyone agrees
However, Kumar’s suggestion quickly divided the internet. Some users noted that large organizations are hardly immune to layoffs.One commenter revealed they had recently lost their job at HSBC and felt no employer could guarantee safety. Others noted that major companies across industries have announced layoffs over the past few years despite strong revenue and profits.Some have questioned whether Kumar’s friends would necessarily be safer if they stayed with Mastercard.“What if he gets fired from Mastercard too?” one user asked, echoing a sentiment shared by many professionals who have witnessed restructurings at some of the world’s largest companies.Another comment perhaps summed up the objection most succinctly: “You can get fired from companies big and small. The difference is that while you’re there, someone pays you 60% more. “
The real issue isn’t size
Beyond the debate about large vs. small employers, some professionals believe company size is only part of the factor.What’s more important, they say, is understanding the company’s fundamentals. Revenue growth, profitability, customer dependence, future hiring plans, investments in emerging technologies, and overall business health often provide a clearer picture of stability than headcount alone.An underperforming multinational can be just as risky as a struggling startup. Likewise, well-managed niche companies may offer greater long-term security than larger organizations facing structural challenges.The comments section has become a virtual masterclass in the modern job search, with users encouraging professionals to research deeper before accepting a job offer.
The definition of success keeps changing
This debate sheds light on some of the larger issues in today’s workforce. For years, career success was measured primarily by salary. A higher salary often justifies the risk that comes with changing jobs.Now, many professionals add another factor to their calculations: predictability. In an environment where entire teams can disappear overnight and business priorities can change within months, stability itself has become a valuable currency.This doesn’t mean employees should never change jobs. This means that every small company is at risk and every multinational company is safe. What it does mean is that a raise, no matter how attractive, no longer tells the whole story.For professionals weighing their next move, the lesson may not be to choose a big firm over a small one, but to know more about what’s behind the offer letter.Sometimes the biggest number on the page isn’t the most important number.