[chmod600]

What do you have to lose? If there are a lot of companies interviewing (high demand), you just interview at a couple of them. When they ask how much you expect, tell them 20% more than what you are making now. If they say that can't be done, just politely say that it doesn't make sense for you to join at that time, but perhaps in the future another role will open up.

Then, at least you can go home knowing that you are already making what the market can bear, and you aren't leaving money on the table.

[giantg2]

Even that's tricky in some markets. Plus I don't want my current job to fire me if they find out I'm looking.