<prompt> Human: Really, the best time to look for anything is when you dont need it, but this is specifically about job hunting and how it worked out for me. The quick background: Ive been in manufacturing 20 years, mid-level management for the last who knows how long. I happen to love my current job. I have a great crew, good benefits, a boss that lets me run my department with very little interference, close to home... etc. The pay, definitely below industry standards, but people put up with it because of the perks. Basically, you trade lack of stress for lack of pay. A long time ago, I was told that you should always keep an eye out, never get too comfortable, so I did. Over the last few years, I applied for a few different jobs, and listed very high salary requirements knowing that if I didnt get an offer, Id be okay because I was in a job I enjoyed. I received an offer recently for a position I have a great deal of experience with, and was able to negotiate a 53 increase in salary. Similar benefits though obviously I dont know about the team, etc. I hit it off with my new boss very well in the interview, I have no worries there. Im very excited about this position, and thought I would share with the rest of PF that even if youre happy, keep an eye out, and take a shot at improving your wage bracket. You have nothing to lose by asking for what you want if youre in a position youre okay with being patient with for a little while. You just might find out someone thinks youre worth it.  <response>: One thing to keep in mind when looking for a job is that your current employer will not advocate your worth - they will pay you what you two agreed on and you wont make much more after that. Call me a cynic, but they will pay you as little as they can because that means more money for the company.Have you ever put in a notice and had your current company ask if a raise would help keep you around? Thats proof that they could have paid you more, but didnt and even more reason not to stick around. Its only until youre putting a strain on the company that financial compensation is talked about instead of paying you what youre worth.After accepting an offer, I commit for a year. After that, I start casually looking. I build up some self-confidence, say Im worth more than what Im making and start looking with that mindset. Like OP said, the worst that can happen is that you dont get the job; and the best that can happen is that youre in a more financially stable position. 