6 month job review next week, what can't I say?
Discussion
Hi folks,
Next week I have my 6 month job review and I have a few concerns which I would like to address, however I am unsure of how far I can go with what is on my mind? I don't want to cause upset, but there are some things which do grind my gears.
So my job role is a varied one. I am classed as a techie, but I also do first line/second line phone support, sorting out our many RMAs, marketing/sales day, lab work and learning on the job about how to setup phone systems, servers, VMWare etc.
My biggest concern is that, there are days when I literally get nothing done, as the phone just won't stop ringing and it does get very stressy at times. Particularly as my boss (which is such a nice chap) asks me to do something, for example, configure NAT and port forwarding on a router for a client, and whenever I start, the phone will ring so I'll help the end user, get off the phone to finish the config and the phone will go again. This does make me feel awful, especially because I don't like to let people down.
My biggest concern is this - I started in my IT job with an IT college qualification and I have been out of IT for 4 years prior to starting at this job. So my boss took a huge gamble on me, which I really do appreciate, so this issue is a sensitive one. So, in the last 6 months I have passed (with flying colours) an exam these exams - Cisco CCNA Part 1 and Apple OSX 10.7 exam, which again I did really well on. I have become good at my job, I am naturally an inquisitive person and fixing stuff gives me a real buzz (cheesy I know, sorry) and well, my pay is very basic. I have looked at other almost similar jobs (no I don't want to leave), to see what they offer pay wise and tends to be from £15-20k. Right now I fully understand that I won't get 20k in this job, at the moment, but my current pay packet doesn't cut the mustard. I was on over 20k before I took this job and now I'm seriously struggling, to the point where it is affecting me on a personal level.
I have never had to ask for a pay rise before, so I'm really unsure as to how one asks for it?
Please don't think I am being 'full of it', but for the amount of hours and hard work I put in, I don't think my pay covers it.
Overall though, I do thoroughly enjoy my job and I get along with the people that I work with
Thank you for any advice,
P.B
TL:DR - New job, a few concerns, one of which is pay
Next week I have my 6 month job review and I have a few concerns which I would like to address, however I am unsure of how far I can go with what is on my mind? I don't want to cause upset, but there are some things which do grind my gears.
So my job role is a varied one. I am classed as a techie, but I also do first line/second line phone support, sorting out our many RMAs, marketing/sales day, lab work and learning on the job about how to setup phone systems, servers, VMWare etc.
My biggest concern is that, there are days when I literally get nothing done, as the phone just won't stop ringing and it does get very stressy at times. Particularly as my boss (which is such a nice chap) asks me to do something, for example, configure NAT and port forwarding on a router for a client, and whenever I start, the phone will ring so I'll help the end user, get off the phone to finish the config and the phone will go again. This does make me feel awful, especially because I don't like to let people down.
My biggest concern is this - I started in my IT job with an IT college qualification and I have been out of IT for 4 years prior to starting at this job. So my boss took a huge gamble on me, which I really do appreciate, so this issue is a sensitive one. So, in the last 6 months I have passed (with flying colours) an exam these exams - Cisco CCNA Part 1 and Apple OSX 10.7 exam, which again I did really well on. I have become good at my job, I am naturally an inquisitive person and fixing stuff gives me a real buzz (cheesy I know, sorry) and well, my pay is very basic. I have looked at other almost similar jobs (no I don't want to leave), to see what they offer pay wise and tends to be from £15-20k. Right now I fully understand that I won't get 20k in this job, at the moment, but my current pay packet doesn't cut the mustard. I was on over 20k before I took this job and now I'm seriously struggling, to the point where it is affecting me on a personal level.
I have never had to ask for a pay rise before, so I'm really unsure as to how one asks for it?
Please don't think I am being 'full of it', but for the amount of hours and hard work I put in, I don't think my pay covers it.
Overall though, I do thoroughly enjoy my job and I get along with the people that I work with
Thank you for any advice,
P.B
TL:DR - New job, a few concerns, one of which is pay
Sounds very much like my first 6 month review too 
Does your company have a standard template from HR? That'll definitely make things easier but if not try to approach your boss and ask if he has any preference of the outline that he wants to see. Normally you would hand this in around 1 week before the actual review date?
6 months is normally the "interim" review especially if you are new so I'd be very careful if you wish to progress further in the company. Try to point out positives first and through the flow of the conversation the ensues reveal your concerns in a constructive way.
Whatever happens good luck on your review! I have my annual one next week too :S (Although I'm not expecting much as company already spent a lot of other stuff this/next year)
Does your company have a standard template from HR? That'll definitely make things easier but if not try to approach your boss and ask if he has any preference of the outline that he wants to see. Normally you would hand this in around 1 week before the actual review date?6 months is normally the "interim" review especially if you are new so I'd be very careful if you wish to progress further in the company. Try to point out positives first and through the flow of the conversation the ensues reveal your concerns in a constructive way.
Whatever happens good luck on your review! I have my annual one next week too :S (Although I'm not expecting much as company already spent a lot of other stuff this/next year)
crazy about cars said:
Sounds very much like my first 6 month review too Does your company have a standard template from HR? That'll definitely make things easier but if not try to approach your boss and ask if he has any preference of the outline that he wants to see. Normally you would hand this in around 1 week before the actual review date?
6 months is normally the "interim" review especially if you are new so I'd be very careful if you wish to progress further in the company. Try to point out positives first and through the flow of the conversation the ensues reveal your concerns in a constructive way.
Whatever happens good luck on your review! I have my annual one next week too :S (Although I'm not expecting much as company already spent a lot of other stuff this/next year)
We don't have an HR department. There is only 5 of us in the office, inc the director. But we are growing rapidly. Plus since I've been there, I've refered 4 companies to us and all of them have spent a fair bit of money or just about to sign up to support. Does your company have a standard template from HR? That'll definitely make things easier but if not try to approach your boss and ask if he has any preference of the outline that he wants to see. Normally you would hand this in around 1 week before the actual review date?6 months is normally the "interim" review especially if you are new so I'd be very careful if you wish to progress further in the company. Try to point out positives first and through the flow of the conversation the ensues reveal your concerns in a constructive way.
Whatever happens good luck on your review! I have my annual one next week too :S (Although I'm not expecting much as company already spent a lot of other stuff this/next year)
Thank you for the advice. I haven't heard of a form like that before and I'll start work on that now.
At the 3 month period, my boss did mention that after 6 months my pay would be reviewed. I just hope that it is for the better, as I stupidly have got my hopes up and if nothing comes of it, then I will be most unhappy.
Pig benis said:
crazy about cars said:
Sounds very much like my first 6 month review too Does your company have a standard template from HR? That'll definitely make things easier but if not try to approach your boss and ask if he has any preference of the outline that he wants to see. Normally you would hand this in around 1 week before the actual review date?
6 months is normally the "interim" review especially if you are new so I'd be very careful if you wish to progress further in the company. Try to point out positives first and through the flow of the conversation the ensues reveal your concerns in a constructive way.
Whatever happens good luck on your review! I have my annual one next week too :S (Although I'm not expecting much as company already spent a lot of other stuff this/next year)
We don't have an HR department. There is only 5 of us in the office, inc the director. But we are growing rapidly. Plus since I've been there, I've refered 4 companies to us and all of them have spent a fair bit of money or just about to sign up to support. Does your company have a standard template from HR? That'll definitely make things easier but if not try to approach your boss and ask if he has any preference of the outline that he wants to see. Normally you would hand this in around 1 week before the actual review date?6 months is normally the "interim" review especially if you are new so I'd be very careful if you wish to progress further in the company. Try to point out positives first and through the flow of the conversation the ensues reveal your concerns in a constructive way.
Whatever happens good luck on your review! I have my annual one next week too :S (Although I'm not expecting much as company already spent a lot of other stuff this/next year)
Thank you for the advice. I haven't heard of a form like that before and I'll start work on that now.
At the 3 month period, my boss did mention that after 6 months my pay would be reviewed. I just hope that it is for the better, as I stupidly have got my hopes up and if nothing comes of it, then I will be most unhappy.
That's a great opportunity. Assuming he's positive about your performance in the review, ask for more responsibility. If the company is expanding fast I would expect the job you are doing on your own to attract another person or two in the next year or two, and you want to make sure you are in charge of that person rather than that person being in charge of you.
davepoth said:
Growing rapidly you say?
That's a great opportunity. Assuming he's positive about your performance in the review, ask for more responsibility. If the company is expanding fast I would expect the job you are doing on your own to attract another person or two in the next year or two, and you want to make sure you are in charge of that person rather than that person being in charge of you.
You have hit the nail on the head, Dave. That is exactly the position I would like to be in. Well I will have to report back on Thursday (review day) and hopefully it will be good newsThat's a great opportunity. Assuming he's positive about your performance in the review, ask for more responsibility. If the company is expanding fast I would expect the job you are doing on your own to attract another person or two in the next year or two, and you want to make sure you are in charge of that person rather than that person being in charge of you.
Pig benis said:
We don't have an HR department. There is only 5 of us in the office, inc the director. But we are growing rapidly. Plus since I've been there, I've refered 4 companies to us and all of them have spent a fair bit of money or just about to sign up to support.
Thank you for the advice. I haven't heard of a form like that before and I'll start work on that now.
At the 3 month period, my boss did mention that after 6 months my pay would be reviewed. I just hope that it is for the better, as I stupidly have got my hopes up and if nothing comes of it, then I will be most unhappy.
Ah...small IT firm then? My mate works in one too. He is there around 2 years and now he is the lead engineer. When he was there there were 2-3 around but they were seriously under performing. My mate worked hard, proved his worth and 2 were fired and his salary was increased too! As long as the results are there (which is more noticeable in a smaller company) you can use it to your advantage. Thank you for the advice. I haven't heard of a form like that before and I'll start work on that now.
At the 3 month period, my boss did mention that after 6 months my pay would be reviewed. I just hope that it is for the better, as I stupidly have got my hopes up and if nothing comes of it, then I will be most unhappy.
Going in with an appraisal document will also help as your boss will definitely recognise your initiative and both can then review in a more structured manner. The appraisal document will definitely help especially if your boss if not really well versed in the technical bits. Good luck!
davepoth said:
That's a great opportunity. Assuming he's positive about your performance in the review, ask for more responsibility. If the company is expanding fast I would expect the job you are doing on your own to attract another person or two in the next year or two, and you want to make sure you are in charge of that person rather than that person being in charge of you.
Very good advice as well! When speaking to your boss I would phrase it from the company's point of view:
"I worry sometimes that customer service is sometimes not 100%, for example when the phone goes and I am distracted from finishing the job I was working on in a timely fashion".
It's up to the boss if the company can afford a dedicated call taker/logger.. As the new person though, you are likely to be it.
I would take the user's details and assess which problem is more important. Unfortunately, prioritising calls usually takes many factors into account, e.g. who is calling, are they a decision maker, what contract/SLA they have, how serious is their issue. Ask your boss if you should/are allowed to prioritise, and how to prioritise. Take the caller details and tell them you will call them back as soon as you finish the task you are in the middle of.
"I worry sometimes that customer service is sometimes not 100%, for example when the phone goes and I am distracted from finishing the job I was working on in a timely fashion".
It's up to the boss if the company can afford a dedicated call taker/logger.. As the new person though, you are likely to be it.
I would take the user's details and assess which problem is more important. Unfortunately, prioritising calls usually takes many factors into account, e.g. who is calling, are they a decision maker, what contract/SLA they have, how serious is their issue. Ask your boss if you should/are allowed to prioritise, and how to prioritise. Take the caller details and tell them you will call them back as soon as you finish the task you are in the middle of.
Number one rule is be constructive. Go into the review with solutions, not problems. If something isn't working, or is stopping you from doing your job effectively, go in there and tell your boss what you think should be done to fix it. Going on with a problem and asking your boss to fix it for you is going to make you look like a whiner (which I'm sure you're not); going in with ideas of how you want things to change makes you look like proactive doer.
And there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for more money straight out, but again go in with an actual figure in mind and be ready to justify it.
And there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for more money straight out, but again go in with an actual figure in mind and be ready to justify it.
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