Career decisions

[Ev0]

Not all of the jobs around here are offering salaries that good. A few are similar to my current wage, and some are even less.

And there's the rub, if every job near enough was asking for masses more cash then it makes it easier asking for more.

If you're actually sitting at what looks like to be a pretty much average salary for the type of role then the only way you'll likely see a big increase is to move

However it's always worth asking what else they can do for you

South Coast, near Portsmouth.

Hmm not work for the big IT co there do you? Could be worth checking out if not to see if they have any tester jobs going (I'd imagine they would).

 

[yer_averagejoe]

The only problem now, if I am good/lucky enough ofc, is getting the time of work for interviews. I've used up all my holiday already and have not had a day in 3 years, so I might have to get creative with reasons for half days here there and everywhere!

Look for nearby universities with graduation ceremonies coming up and say your cousin/gf/grandad is graduating

 

[Marky]

In this situation, I would personally go and speak to your boss. It sounds like you probably have a good relationship with him/her. Tell them your situation, and that you have found multiple job listings with a much better salary. Don't go in with a "pay rise or I'm out of here" attitude, just speak sensibly about your position.

 

[DAIR]

In this situation, I would personally go and speak to your boss. It sounds like you probably have a good relationship with him/her. Tell them your situation, and that you have found multiple job listings with a much better salary. Don't go in with a "pay rise or I'm out of here" attitude, just speak sensibly about your position.

And if the response is negative....... Tension will be in the air. The boss probably won't notice it but the op sure will.

Op will start muttering like muttley

 

[Stretch]

One thing to keep in mind, while other jobs may offer more money, they will ask you your current salary, something you can't really lie about since they will get your p45 eventually.

You don't have to give them a P45 immediately, you'll just pay more tax until you do. Also, you don't have to divulge your current salary, just say "market rate". If they push you for a more detailed answer you don't want to work for them.

In this situation, I would personally go and speak to your boss. It sounds like you probably have a good relationship with him/her. Tell them your situation, and that you have found multiple job listings with a much better salary. Don't go in with a "pay rise or I'm out of here" attitude, just speak sensibly about your position.

This.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Never underestimate the value of working 5 minutes from home.

Calculate all the costs involved with commuting to the new place including the car purchase etc etc. Then work out how much extra you'd need to earn, pre-tax, just to be left with the same money each month as you have now but after commuting costs.

You may find that what you thought was a signicant payrise will have little or no effect on your actual take home after travel expenses.

 

[lurkio]

My experience
I was with my last employer for 7 years , the reason I left was because
I took a new role within the company and they didn't give the money raise promised
... long story but suffice to say if it aint in writing you are screwed legally

In our office there were 15 seats , there are 3 different departments:
software dev/test , IT support , IT network support
Within the space of 6 months 6 people (inc me) left for better jobs......
there are 2 looking to see if they can return , even tho the money is less the conditions were better with the original company,
the grass is not always greener


go to interviews , get a good offer , then talk to your current employer
but think long and hard about what u want to do , good luck
I also do software testing

EDIT: For me the cost of running a car to get me to from work is 4K

 

[Ev0]

You don't have to give them a P45 immediately, you'll just pay more tax until you do.

In the last 12 months I've changed jobs 3 times (long-ish story ) and not once have I given my new employer a P45.

I've just filled in P46 forms before starting as my old companies were either too slow or never sent my P45 through!

Hell my last company were still paying over a month after I'd left (yes I had told them I was leaving )!

 

[NotAGolf]

Well it turns out that both the jobs I applied for over the last few days were in the defence sector and I am automatically ruled out of both of them as I have been out of the country for at least 6 consequent months within the last 5 years . Didn't know at the time of applying as it was through an agency whose advert didn't specify this

Oh well, that solved my dilemna for the time being!

Ev0; it wasn't with them, but I'll keep my eyes peeled.

Lurkio; I know what you mean. In the 3 years I've been there, one guy has left and come back 3 times now (no idea why they keep taking him back!). A couple of others have alsoe returned, and many more have apparently tried to return. So I'm not the only one who likes the place!

 

[Ev0]

Ev0; it wasn't with them, but I'll keep my eyes peeled.

I saw on their careers site they had a role for a 'testing specialist', basically their name for a tester

 

[randomshenans]

Never underestimate the value of working 5 minutes from home.

Calculate all the costs involved with commuting to the new place including the car purchase etc etc. Then work out how much extra you'd need to earn, pre-tax, just to be left with the same money each month as you have now but after commuting costs.

You may find that what you thought was a signicant payrise will have little or no effect on your actual take home after travel expenses.

Totally agree, things start to mount up and when you think an extra 1000 a year, after tax works out at about another 50quid a month, it takes some doing. So make sure you do your sums well.

 

[LordSplodge]

Never underestimate the value of working 5 minutes from home.

Calculate all the costs involved with commuting to the new place including the car purchase etc etc. Then work out how much extra you'd need to earn, pre-tax, just to be left with the same money each month as you have now but after commuting costs.

You may find that what you thought was a signicant payrise will have little or no effect on your actual take home after travel expenses.

This ^

I work a 10 minute cycle ride from where I work. The current job I am in pays around 5-8K less than the average wage for my lob. If I got another job where I had to drive that 5-8K after tax, expenses like running a second car and pension I would actually be worse off.

I need around 10k extra a year to make a move worthwhile. Plus I would have to commute and that would really suck.

 

[Crimefighter]

Never underestimate the value of working 5 minutes from home.

Calculate all the costs involved with commuting to the new place including the car purchase etc etc. Then work out how much extra you'd need to earn, pre-tax, just to be left with the same money each month as you have now but after commuting costs.

You may find that what you thought was a signicant payrise will have little or no effect on your actual take home after travel expenses.

Totally this, and it isnt just the money.

How much do you value your time? Assuming a 45 minute commute, thats an hour and a half per day for yourself to sleep/go to the gym/spend time with kids & wife. That would be worth a lot to me on its own.

FWIW, Id exhaust all the potential at your current place of employment to boost pay and perks. They may not boost your salary, but if you go in with a positive attitude as someone said on the previous page, you might find you get other benefits e.g. free training for external qualifications and so on.

Emphasise how much you enjoy your job/company and how you want to stay.

Good luck

 

[Ev0]

Playing devil's advocate with this though, it also depends on career prospects and how the move can affect those.

Ok so a move in jobs for little increase in salary might not see you much, if any, better off financially but what if it's a good career move to do so?

Of course if you are purely working for the money and have no interest in progressing then that isn't a concern, but can often be something to think about.

I had a relatively rubbish situation about a year ago, took a job away from home that wasn't great pay to start with (relatively speaking) plus I had to fund my weeks away myself. Less than 6 months in that job and I had people queuing up wanting me to go and work for them, all because of what I'd been doing, and am now in a much much better position than I was then

 

[snave]

Again on the working close to home point, I recently moved and I'm now about 5 minutes from where I work. Previously I had about a 2 hour in total commute each day and it's not just the attached cost of that you need to factor in - I get home at about 5.10pm everyday, I can work from home easily if needed and it's a awesome convenience. Because I save 2 hours per day, that's 10 hours a week or 40 hours a month - a full weeks wage just by living close. Love it.

 

[Vtec9k]

I think some of you guys are crazy. Seriously you're happy to throw away money?

Think about it... If you leave for whatever reason (lottery, die, join a cult, etc) then the company will have to advertise the job. How many other awesome, experienced people are there that could do your job that also live within 5-10 minutes walk and who'd willingly take a pay cut for it? No one I bet!

So if they're paying you £20k when the average is more like £25k+ then they are going to have to raise their offer to get a replacement.

Therefore if a. The job is worth it and b. you're worth it then why are you not getting paid it?

 

[triggerthat]

Bit of background. I’m 25, and been in the same job for 3 years since I’ve left uni. I enjoy my job, I like the people there, it’s only 5 mins from my house, I’m good at what I do and the feedback I get from the bosses is always positive. Now the downside; money.

It’s enough to get buy, I can pay my mortgage, buy bits for the house, go on holidays but on larger expenses I do have to save up for quite a while. However, throw in a wedding and kids into the mix, which I probably will be in the next few years, and it will really be a stretch.

So I had a look at similar jobs in the area and some of the positions are offering what would amount to a 50% pay rise, some nearer 70 – something I won’t get close to in my current company unless I go to management level which I’m not interested in.

Despite the fact a fair chunk of this will go on running a car (don’t need one atm), this is instantly appealing, but I’m weighing up the pro’s and con’s. I don’t want to jack in a job I enjoy for one I potentially don’t. I will spend less time at home, and might be in a stressful role working on projects that don’t interest me. Alternatively the new job could be more fun, rewarding and interesting.

What are your thoughts? Have you ever left a job purely for money? If so did you regret it, or was it a good decision?

Speaking to recruiters in my industry, if you want to earn more money and progress, then you should chop and change every 1-2 years. It's quite competitive to advance in the same company. I strongly believe salary is not a reflection on your ability, but how well you bargain. Was quite disappointed to hear that someone that only had 1 years' experience vs 4 years experience was earning more.

I've taken this advice on changing and it's worked for me (for the first 4 years in my career). First move was 51% increase, second was a 34% increase. Despite this, changing company/role does make work more enjoyable, especially in a fast-past industry. Doubt I'll be changing quite so often now to be honest.

People's priorities are very different, some would like to work locally and are not too bothered about salary, whereas some would like to be paid what they are worth.

 

[krooton]

I've been in my current role on essentially the same pay for 3 years. I didn't rock the boat because I had an awesome manager and colleagues and very much enjoyed my job.

They all got made redundant in April, so I have been the only person in the department in the London office.

3 months later, and I am moving to a similar role, for a 20% pay rise, for seemingly awesome people.

I'd say risk it.

 

[triggerthat]

I've been in my current role on essentially the same pay for 3 years. I didn't rock the boat because I had an awesome manager and colleagues and very much enjoyed my job.

They all got made redundant in April, so I have been the only person in the department in the London office.

3 months later, and I am moving to a similar role, for a 20% pay rise, for seemingly awesome people.

I'd say risk it.

Congrats! Industry?

 

[krooton]

Congrats! Industry?

Thanks, moving from Retail/Telecomms to Travel & Leisure