I live in a very expensive city in the US. I was recruited for, interviewed for and accepted a new job within the same industry that is a 20% pay increase. (20.4% to be exact). My boss had the reaction that I was leaving too soon (1yr+few months with company) and that you automatically get a pay raise switching jobs because “the industry is struggling to find good talent”. Ok sure if that is true so then why was I being so underpaid if it’s going to cost you more to attract and hire talent in the future? I have no willingness to renegotiate if the company strategy is to underpay until I get an offer in my hands to have as leverage.
Companies need to wise up and start paying their young talent the market rates. The cost of everything is so high these days and they pretend like young people can just live with roommates and tough it out. My mid year raise didn’t even beat the inflation rate. It really was a nice company to work for and the people were great but you cannot expect me to financially struggle just because of a good culture and some extra days off.