I never imagined I would be able to double my 9–5 salary multiple times throughout my career. My journey shifted quickly — from working in startups to becoming a call-center operator.

That transition meant going from a six-figure income to earning minimum wage in Australia. And to make things even more unexpected, I don’t have any formal business-related degrees — unless you count a qualification in sound engineering.

So if someone like me, with no traditional credentials and coming from the land of kangaroos, can multiply his income, then there is absolutely hope for you too. Popular career platforms like “Seek” often give outdated advice: perform better in your review, get another university degree, take more formal training. I’ve seen many colleagues follow this path only to end up disappointed.

Increasing your salary — or even doubling it — requires stepping outside the usual rules and trying strategies that are a bit more unconventional. The tips below will show you exactly that.