Pay issues, negotiating a raise early on

[jefftings]

Hi all,

I'm looking for advice. I was offered a new job in Jan 14 and decided to take it. While it is good there are issues with pay.

I'd been unemployed for a few months (my last contract role had ended) and had been turned down for a job in Nov 13 because I'd tried to get the top salary for the role (£40k) which I think turned the employer against me.

So I went to an interview in Jan 14 and that company instantly liked what I had to offer, my experience (just over 10 years) and my ideas etc. They offered my the job the next day to prevent me going to another interview. I didn't ask for my desired salary (£40k)as I thought I'd get my fingers burnt again and so agreed on just £35k. (In hindsight I should have asked for £45k as there is no pension etc)

It annoys me that I didn't push them for more. I've been on £35k since I was 26, and I'm 31 now and I've not seen any growth for the additional experience I have.

Now I am in a situation where I like the job but resentment is growing because I feel I am underpaid. There are a few other companies that leave messages on my linkedin/voicemail talking about jobs that have pay and benefits much higher than I currently have. This is where realistically I am in my career, but I don't know how to get that across to my boss without sounding like an arse and jeapordising my chances in my current role.

I know the negotiations I had originally should have been better, but I was pretty desperate for a job and didn't want to miss the chance for the sake of £5-10k. I've not had much luck in my career, but I aiming to change that!

Ideally I want to get my pay at a level I think I am worthy (£40-45k)

In the 7 months I've been in this role I've re-jigged reporting, brought in new business of around £25,000 and attended lots of new business meetings and presentations as well as running a small team of specialists.

Has anyone got any advice on what I should do and the order to do it in?

Thanks

[jefftings]

Sir Bagalot said:

Welcome to the real world.

I'm now earning just over half of what I was 3 years ago. I have accepted I may never earn that amount again, but I find it hard to accept my current wage. Then again I have a job which looks better than unemployment on my CV.

Things are improving out there so there is light. I will keep applying for other jobs and when I am offered a job paying a more realistic wage I will simply resign from my current role and say thanks.

No point getting bitter about current salary, there are many out there with no jobs.

Yes I know those feelings. The company is doing well and paying certain people very well. Despite being in a pretty good industry, I seem to watch former colleagues go off and progress and do well, wheras I can't seem to get any luck at all.

[jefftings]

The jiffle king said:

Salaries sadly are not about what you are worth as we would all be paid much more, they are about what you negotiated

Yes something I was a bit slow to come to terms with. Sad fact of life really, I've done some great stuff in my time.

[jefftings]

dingg said:

jellywire9 said:

Apply for the other jobs you keep getting offered for more money. Go back to current employers and state they are 'offering me X can you match it'. If not move on.

This is your only option I suspect

This is my plan... Spoken to a few recruiters already.

I've been frustrated with bouncing between jobs over the last few years but that's because I've never been able to "Get" a reasonable salary. I seem to get turned down when I try for a higher salary (not unreasonable I might add, I've got over 10 years experience)

[jefftings]

Thanks for all the advice and experience though guys!

Good that not all PH types are powerfully built directors!