Salary

[SkyBlueFlux]

Been in a similar position before - get yourself another job and increase your salary that way why would you want to work for a lying cheeting company that don't deliver? You are worth more than that and there are companies out there that appreciate that

I've also been in that situation many years ago but would offer a word of caution. I was brought in to a company on a low grade but was doing a much more high-profile strategic project and doing it well. Like you I was promised a substantial rise at my next review. When that came I got the same sort of story. It was a great company but I put myself on the market to get an idea of what my skills were worth and it appeared they were worth a lot more. One offer pretty well doubled my existing package so I took it. However it wasn't quite as straightforward as that because the new company was horrendous to work for.

After 12 months I contacted my old company and went back there. Initially it was on a freelance basis but when a permanent position came up they offered it to me with a much better salary than I'd been on when I left.

So I'd suggest you get an idea of what you're worth on the market by applying for jobs and getting offers. If you don't get anything then you're a bit stuffed but if you do then you've got a stick to use. If they want to keep you they'll find a way but you have to go in and make a case without being overly threatening. If they call your bluff then you have to be prepared to hand your notice in. But think very carefully if that's really what you want to do. All that glitters is not gold.

Do you mind me asking what line of work you're in? I'm interested in setting up on my own once I'm qualified, but wouldn't really know where to start.

I think he must be one of them "bullshit busters".

For more information speak to Ed Thompson.

 

[alfabianchi]

I agree with much of the advice given. You are a small fry in a large company, kicking up a fuss will just leave a bad impression, at a time when you are trying to give the best impression of yourself. I'm 38 now, and I learned the hard way. I kicked up a fuss all the way through my 20's (even e-mailing the CEO when I didn't get a company car!) It got me nowhere. In my experience, the best that you can do is knuckle down an be patient. It will come to you when you least expect it.

I now earn a really decent salary, more than anyone in my circle of friends or family, and none of it was gained by whinging everytime I had a setback. To be honest, the wheels start to turn once you pass 30 and people start to trust and respect your integrity. You will have battles throughout the early stages of your career, but taking it on the chin can sometimes score you more brownie points than spitting your dummy out.

 

[Blue-Eyes]

However you decide to play this, do not leave for at least 6 months - Your CV will look shite if you've moved from your first Post-Grad job within a year.
Also remember that you've probably got the best part of 35 years to earn a load of cash.

 

[bluegirl74]

been in your position a few times, been promised pay rises / promotions in verbal appraisals that came to nothing once the formal letters came out.

you either have to stick it out and hope that one day your employer comes good on the promises or get out and find something else.

have a look around, see what competitiors are paying and investigate what other opportunites are out there. if your particular market is bouyant and you're as good as you think you are (or can convince someone else that you are) then you're in a better bargaining position and can decide whether to stay or go. If the market isn't so good, you may have no choice but to stay put.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Been in a similar position before - get yourself another job and increase your salary that way why would you want to work for a lying cheeting company that don't deliver? You are worth more than that and there are companies out there that appreciate that

I've also been in that situation many years ago but would offer a word of caution. I was brought in to a company on a low grade but was doing a much more high-profile strategic project and doing it well. Like you I was promised a substantial rise at my next review. When that came I got the same sort of story. It was a great company but I put myself on the market to get an idea of what my skills were worth and it appeared they were worth a lot more. One offer pretty well doubled my existing package so I took it. However it wasn't quite as straightforward as that because the new company was horrendous to work for.

After 12 months I contacted my old company and went back there. Initially it was on a freelance basis but when a permanent position came up they offered it to me with a much better salary than I'd been on when I left.

So I'd suggest you get an idea of what you're worth on the market by applying for jobs and getting offers. If you don't get anything then you're a bit stuffed but if you do then you've got a stick to use. If they want to keep you they'll find a way but you have to go in and make a case without being overly threatening. If they call your bluff then you have to be prepared to hand your notice in. But think very carefully if that's really what you want to do. All that glitters is not gold.

Do you mind me asking what line of work you're in? I'm interested in setting up on my own once I'm qualified, but wouldn't really know where to start.

I'm in IT Pete, although less IT & more management consultancy these days. Weren't you in the IT line iirc?

 

[Carstairs]

This is an interesting lesson in life, and one that it pays (sic) to learn early doors.


You will never earn the money that you believe your labour merits

 

[PrestwichPeteMcfc]

I've also been in that situation many years ago but would offer a word of caution. I was brought in to a company on a low grade but was doing a much more high-profile strategic project and doing it well. Like you I was promised a substantial rise at my next review. When that came I got the same sort of story. It was a great company but I put myself on the market to get an idea of what my skills were worth and it appeared they were worth a lot more. One offer pretty well doubled my existing package so I took it. However it wasn't quite as straightforward as that because the new company was horrendous to work for.

After 12 months I contacted my old company and went back there. Initially it was on a freelance basis but when a permanent position came up they offered it to me with a much better salary than I'd been on when I left.

So I'd suggest you get an idea of what you're worth on the market by applying for jobs and getting offers. If you don't get anything then you're a bit stuffed but if you do then you've got a stick to use. If they want to keep you they'll find a way but you have to go in and make a case without being overly threatening. If they call your bluff then you have to be prepared to hand your notice in. But think very carefully if that's really what you want to do. All that glitters is not gold.

Do you mind me asking what line of work you're in? I'm interested in setting up on my own once I'm qualified, but wouldn't really know where to start.

I'm in IT Pete, although less IT & more management consultancy these days. Weren't you in the IT line iirc?

I'm in financial audit, working towards my CA (ICAS) qualification. Really like the idea of working for myself somewhere down the line though.

 

[SkyBlueFlux]

However you decide to play this, do not leave for at least 6 months - Your CV will look shite if you've moved from your first Post-Grad job within a year.
Also remember that you've probably got the best part of 35 years to earn a load of cash.

Definitely a point of consideration for me. Although I do have other things on my CV that aren't strictly full-time work, I'm worried how only lasting 5 months will look. I'm determined to be there at least a year.

This is an interesting lesson in life, and one that it pays (sic) to learn early doors.


You will never earn the money that you believe your labour merits

Sage. At least I'm learning at 23, not 43.

Thanks for people's help. Definitely have a lot more clarity on where I stand.

 

[Barcon]

This is an interesting lesson in life, and one that it pays (sic) to learn early doors.


You will never earn the money that you believe your labour merits

So true mate, so true.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Welcome to the real world

And a manager who seems to fit the stereotype of managers (in my small experience) of being a right shit!

 

[steviemc]

5 months in a job isn't a real long time to make too much of a rash decision. It seems that you can do the job quite competently, so I'd suggest bide your time a bit longer whilst checking out other job availabilities and potential salaries. If they don't honour the agreed pay rise in time, then you'll be well prepared to consider a move elsewhere.

 

[Balti]

This is an interesting lesson in life, and one that it pays (sic) to learn early doors.


You will never earn the money that you believe your labour merits

So true mate, so true.

Rather depends on your ability

 

[Carstairs]

This is an interesting lesson in life, and one that it pays (sic) to learn early doors.


You will never earn the money that you believe your labour merits

So true mate, so true.

Rather depends on your ability

Rather depends on your ambition

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Do you mind me asking what line of work you're in? I'm interested in setting up on my own once I'm qualified, but wouldn't really know where to start.

I'm in IT Pete, although less IT & more management consultancy these days. Weren't you in the IT line iirc?

I'm in financial audit, working towards my CA (ICAS) qualification. Really like the idea of working for myself somewhere down the line though.

An accountancy qualification is a very good thing to have. My brother is a qualified accountant and he hit a career brick wall. Me and one of his friends advised him to go into financial software and he's now doing very well working for one of the big consultancies designing & implementing financial system solutions. Currently you could freelance at £500 a day or more with that sort of skill.

 

[Lavinda Past]

Strangely enough, it always seems to be the graduates who are last to suss out that they have to do more than turn up at work to get paid a lot of money, or to realise that some employers are dodgy.

Forty-odd years of work and I've worked with dozens of graduates - Each and every one of them thought they were being hard done by and moaned to colleagues saying that they would leave a.s.a.p. - They invariably hung about in the forlorn hope that they'd be given a 'break' in the business. By the time they did something about it, their qualifications were worth next to nowt. Naive in the extreme. I now get more in pension per annum than one of my graduate contemporaries gets for working 40+ hours a week.... Why? Because I was prepared to get off my arse and make things happen.

Welcome to the real world... It's a tough life. Nobody is going to hold your hand for the next 30-odd years. Some make it, some don't. Money isn't everything (but it helps), but it isn't handed to you on a plate - Just remember... it's a very long time to be doing something you don't like.

Take a risk. Get out of your comfort zone. Find another job and kick-start your career. Good luck.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

5 months in a job isn't a real long time to make too much of a rash decision. It seems that you can do the job quite competently, so I'd suggest bide your time a bit longer whilst checking out other job availabilities and potential salaries. If they don't honour the agreed pay rise in time, then you'll be well prepared to consider a move elsewhere.

This is good advice. I'd say give it two (or even three) years as (a) it will look better on your CV and (b) if you do as well as you say you are, they won't want to lose you after that time.

If after 2-3 years you're still not getting the rewards you think are achievable elsewhere then move.

 

[Churchill123]

Like others have said, ask for a review in a month or two's time, but in the mean time could they set some KPI's for you to achieve in that 1/2 month period to once again justify why you should get the pay rise you were previously promised

 

[Balti]

So true mate, so true.

Rather depends on your ability

Rather depends on your ambition

Or both indeed
Either will get you so far
Both will (probably) take you further
Maybe ambition is the key ingredient as you suggest

 

[ManCitizens.]

Strangely enough, it always seems to be the graduates who are last to suss out that they have to do more than turn up at work to get paid a lot of money, or to realise that some employers are dodgy.

Forty-odd years of work and I've worked with dozens of graduates - Each and every one of them thought they were being hard done by and moaned to colleagues saying that they would leave a.s.a.p. - They invariably hung about in the forlorn hope that they'd be given a 'break' in the business. By the time they did something about it, their qualifications were worth next to nowt. Naive in the extreme. I now get more in pension per annum than one of my graduate contemporaries gets for working 40+ hours a week.... Why? Because I was prepared to get off my arse and make things happen.

Welcome to the real world... It's a tough life. Nobody is going to hold your hand for the next 30-odd years. Some make it, some don't. Money isn't everything (but it helps), but it isn't handed to you on a plate - Just remember... it's a very long time to be doing something you don't like.

Take a risk. Get out of your comfort zone. Find another job and kick-start your career. Good luck.

It's took me all of five months to realise this. Having recently graduated myself I've come to the conclusion that a good degree will get you an interview to begin with, the rest is up to yourself.

I think a lot of the whingers believe they 'deserve' more because of the ridiculous ideas colleges put into students heads, nothing more than sales pitches.

 

[Carstairs]

Rather depends on your ability

Rather depends on your ambition

Or both indeed
Either will get you so far
Both will (probably) take you further
Maybe ambition is the key ingredient as you suggest

And honesty, loyalty, fortitude, humor, and luck.


They all help as well (I know that you know that Balti.....)


Without wanting to offend anyone, I do wonder whether modern day graduates (or indeed school leavers) are really be well enough served by their institutions.