Salary plateau is a term used for employees who have reached the peak of their career. Because of their skills and experience, they have reached the point of their career wherein they can’t be promoted to a higher position because they lack the skills and education necessary.

They are also the employees that can’t be demoted as well since they are experienced with the position and even does an excellent job. This is very common for employees that have stayed in the company for more than 10 years. They have become a recognizable face but only as someone who works there but not an important person when it comes to position.

It’s very easy to be comfortable when you reach your salary plateau. Employees that start small will have to work their way up and when they reach the peak of their career stay there because they have the money they need and sees their work getting easier because of their experience. They really don’t see the need to look for ways to be promoted because the things the compensation is more than enough and they don’t have to exert extra effort just to perform and please the upper management.

But staying in a salary plateau without doing anything is very dangerous. Although for years you might find yourself useful to the company, the development of today’s business structure might eventually “outmode” your function. The company could revamp their structure and find software that will replace you.

Worst, the company might even find someone younger who came in with robust and radical ideas that will increase the company production. Since you didn’t do anything except doing your job, you will be replaced with someone who can also do your job and work on additional responsibilities.

That is why you have to be alarmed when you reach your salary plateau. Not being able to go up means you can’t just get up to another position.

Before you reach this stage, be conscious with the industry you are in. Changes are a constant thing in any industry and to those who felt comfortable in a certain position will always be in for a surprise since they can’t adjust to the new job requirement or conditions. If you think you are using everything you know to work on a job position, it’s time to add another skill to your resume.

Be sure to study in your spare time so that you can add something to your resume. With additional skills and your present experience, you are making yourself attractive not only to the company you are working for but also for other companies in the same industry.

With additional skills and experience you don’t have to worry about getting terminated. You can even apply for a higher position since you already have the experience and additional knowledge required to perform in a higher position.

Never settle for a simple and comfortable position. Since businesses and companies are dynamic, you should be able to adjust and show them that you are an important part of the company not just because of your experience but also of your function.