But...that's just mean

[selenay]

They gave me a payrise :-( This crappy job that I'm trying to leave
and hoping to get out of before they did that (making me even more
unmarketable because my current wage is too high...) has gone and
given me a payrise. Haven't dared to look at it yet to find out what
it is, but I'm assured that it's a good one and therefore making me
even less marketable. Darn.

Still, the money will be nice for the next couple of months *sigh*

Maybe I should stay here after all...

Comments

[gmul.livejournal.com]

more unmarketable because my current wage is too high.

Try not to mention it unless it's in a context that you can explain that you'd rather less money than killing yourself with the commute?

Maybe I should stay here after all...
No. Unless they're paying you enough extra that you could have someone drive you to work. :-)

[selenay]

Not having done this whole moving from one job to another thing before (leaving work to return to uni was rather different), are they likely to ask what my current wage was during an interview or application and would they be likely to find this out when getting references anyway?

'Cos if I can leave that part out then my problem is solved :-)

[huffytiger.livejournal.com]

Quite frankly, it's none of their business if you applied for the job knowing what the salary will be. If you didn't and it's a "discuss it at interview" then it may be a bit more tricky.

Personally,I'd say something along the lines of "I'm prepared to take a pay job to work in a field I feel is more suitable to my career goals" which then gives you an opening to talk about advancement prospects within the company.

Of course, I used that phrase when I applied for a job as a coffee barrista in Starbucks and they looked at me like I was mad. ;o) I guess it's all in Context. ;o)

[selenay]

That's the line that I've been using with agencies up until now - without my payrise, my wage was higher than I could expect anywhere else doing a job that I actually wanted to do. But knowing I'll be taking (to employers) a fairly large pay cut rather than the much smaller pay cut I had been planning to take is worrying me.

OTOH, surely that will show my commitment to my career path above my greed? As long as I can make my bills with a teeny bit of savings money, I have no problem with the cut, and I feel that my health, sanity and job satisfaction far out weight oodles of cash :-)

[gmul.livejournal.com]

It'll come up at some stage. It may well be included as part of your reference so you can't lie about it but lots of creative not mentioning exact figures except at interview (when you can explain) should be acceptable.

I don't think it's something they should be asking too early on in the proceedings anyway but employers and agents are funny(*) things...

(*)sometimes also filed under "illogical" and indeed "stupid", particularly in the context of recruitment.

[selenay]

lots of creative not mentioning exact figures except at interview (when you can explain) should be acceptable.

The part that worries me the most is them seeing the numbers cold without knowing why I'm happy to take a pay cut. It's definitely the reason so many people get stuck at my employer - one of my colleagues even told me that that was why he hadn't tried to escape. They pay better than their competitors and it's tough to look for something else when you know that most other employers won't want to match your salary.

Of course, I'm not intimidated by losing the money but it's how employers will see it that matters to me.

particularly in the context of recruitment.

Nothing seems to be sensible, logical or straight forward when it comes to recruitment *sigh*

[paranoidangel]

The part that worries me the most is them seeing the numbers cold without knowing why I'm happy to take a pay cut.

I had one recruiter who asked me three times why I was and he just didn't seem to get it. As far as he was concerned the only reason to move jobs was for higher pay.

Mind you, I think he was lying to me half the time anyway.

[gmul.livejournal.com]

but it's how employers will see it that matters to me
Indeed. Good luck!

[paranoidangel]

Maybe I should stay here after all...

Wasn't it you I had a conversation with the other day about money not being everything?

When recruiters/companies/whatever ask you your pay you could always say you've just literally had a payrise, so they'll know you're used to living on a smaller amount.

[selenay]

Wasn't it you I had a conversation with the other day about money not being everything?

Er, maybe...

*g*

I'm not really considering staying for the money. Life hasn't been as dreadful here over the last couple of weeks as it had been, so it's harder to remember why I need to get out. But the back pain is going to remind me, if nothing else, because the acupuncturist isn't holding out much hope that I'll ever be fixed now :-( She's aiming for "bearable" rather than pain-free and hoping that we might get me off the painkillers eventually. So I do need to find a new job for health and commute reasons and must remember that. No matter how nice the extra pounds are :-)

[paranoidangel]

No matter how nice the extra pounds are :-)

Money's always nice, but then it's not like your parents are going to let you starve. And if you're on less money, maybe you could renegotiate your rent so it won't affect you quite so much :)

[selenay]

*snort* Renegotiate the rent? Um, I have a feeling that would be a resounding no from the parental quarters :-) They wouldn't let me starve, but they also don't want me getting into the habit of assuming my landlord will understand the concept of "maybe next month" :-)

I'm not telling them about the pay rise in case they try to renegotiate the rent upwards!

[paranoidangel]

I'm not telling them about the pay rise in case they try to renegotiate the rent upwards!

Good plan.

[riverfox.livejournal.com]

::headdesk::

{{{{{{{ hugs you }}}}}}}

It's a dilemma. Stay at a place you hate, get more money, become unmarketable, or get out while you can. ::sighs:: I guess it all boils down to the money. Do you *need* it. Have you got any saved? What're the consequences/chances to finding another job with your title if you stay? Shit. Crap. Dammit.

I can relate, kinda. I've just been offered light duty work with my old employer and I start Monday. I don't want to go back there, but I have to take it. It's income, which one has to have. ::desk:: I don't wanna go back, I hate that two-faced, unprofessional workplace and I'm *sick* of warehouse work. Never mind that I can only do light duty in that type of work now, so I'm gunning for clerical work instead.

I'm also hedging my bets. I'm going to Kelly Services tomorrow to sign up and ask if I could be placed on the Boeing Temp line, and for a job that's longer than a few weeks/months. I'm hoping they call me for work. This is one of those times where I *really* wish I had a cell phone. Calling to leave a message at home is going to be a pain in the ass. What if they need an answer right away and I don't get the message for five hours? GAH. Maybe I'll give them my employer's number. Er... ::looks almost sheepish::

[selenay]

What're the consequences/chances to finding another job with your title if you stay?

Thing is that I don't want to stay in my current role if I move jobs. I'm not enjoying what I do hugely, so if I make the break and get out I want to be doing something that I'll enjoy. At the moment I can't really afford to quit without anything to go to, so staying until I find the right thing is my only real option. Now that the pay rise has come, there's no real point in attempting to quit before it kicks in - it will be reflected in my next pay check. I do need to get out of here this year, though, because I'll definitely be trapped if I get another pay rise. As it is, I'm going to need to justify taking a lower paid job to any employer.

Never mind that I can only do light duty in that type of work now, so I'm gunning for clerical work instead.

In your situation, clerical work is exactly what you should be gunning for. Make the cash while you have to at your old place, but hope that something else comes in. Going to Kelly Services sounds like a fine plan. Is there any way that you can call your message machine at home during the day from work?

::looks almost sheepish::

*g*

[riverfox.livejournal.com]

As it is, I'm going to need to justify taking a lower paid job to any employer.

I know they frown on it, but I don't know why. The market's bad no matter the job.

Is there any way that you can call your message machine at home during the day from work?

Oh damn, forgot about that. But unfortunately, the old roommate took that knowledge with him when he left and neither Steve nor I know how to check messages from another phone. Will figure it out, sooner or later. Or buy a newer recorder with a manual. *gg* I won't *really* give Kelly Svcs the old Employer's # but I'm sorely tempted.

[selenay]

The market's bad no matter the job.

And IT is one of the worst for it. Particularly if you don't have much commercial experience in the area that you really want to get into.

Oh damn, forgot about that.

*g* Occasionally I have good ideas :-)

Or buy a newer recorder with a manual. *gg*

Now that's a plan that could definitely work! Look on it as an investment in your future :-)

[riverfox.livejournal.com]

You always have good ideas, silly. :)

And yes, an investment. Definitely. Next investment will be in new shoes. In, er, about a month tho. ::sighs:: After rent.