Deciding whether to jump ship

RyanF

RyanF

RyanF

Associate
Joined
22 Dec 2013
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1,467
So I've just been told, as part of a recent review that I do not qualify for a raise. To put things into perspective officially I'm employed as an "IT Assistant", the reality is I'm 1st / 2nd line support and work in an IT Department of 4, 2 of which are "Managers", that supports approximately 500 users.

I practically run the day to day operation of the business handling just about every request under the sun. The only ones I don't do relate to out of date financing software or more advanced queries pertaining to SQL / Windows Server.

I'm currently on £14k a year working 40 hours a week Monday to Friday, we officially get a 30 minute "lunch break" but so far, for the 2 years I've been here, I've had to eat it at my desk as IT Support would seize to exist.

I was already on the verge of handing in my notice prior to being told this; the only thing keeping me going is the want to save up enough cash to get myself a motorbike.

Anyone got advice on what to do?
 
£14k a year is better than JSA, which I don't think you'd be entitled to anyway if you quit. Stay, find a better job, then quit.

Out of interest why did they say you didn't qualify for a raise?
 
As scorza says it tends to be easier to find a job when you've already got a job although it does depend on the local market to an extent - there may not be many other options in your local area so have a look about before doing anything too hasty. Is there any training that this company offers which might increase your skills and make you more employable for the future?
 
scorza said:
Out of interest why did they say you didn't qualify for a raise?
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They've said that I'm either at or above the salary for someone in my role within the county thus do not qualify for a raise. Of course they are comparing me to people that only take calls and input service data onto helpdesk software.
 
As above, sounds like an 18-20k job.

Don't quit, fine tune your cv, and get registered on some IT centric job sites CW and jobserve for a start.
 
Wow. I've recently hired someone with less experience (actually none outside of retail IT) than yourself, doing less than yourself for £18k/pa.

I'd certainly move from that role, sounds like you aren't appreciated in the slightest.
 
Yes never just quit, never bad mouth your employer. Just sort your CV out, and look elsewhere. Most satisfying moment was me handing in my notice at 19k and going to a job that was paid more than the operations manager :P The exit interview was hilarious.
 
RyanF said:
They've said that I'm either at or above the salary for someone in my role within the county thus do not qualify for a raise. Of course they are comparing me to people that only take calls and input service data onto helpdesk software.
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Yeah, heard that one before - difficult to disprove :(
 
scorza said:
Yeah, heard that one before - difficult to disprove :(
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One thing working in IT has taught me is the only way to disprove is to walk into a new job that pays more. As mentioned, some companies will pay as little as they feel they can get away with, and if people stay, then they are obviously right!

I once got hounded for a 1st line contract role paying £9 per hour before tax, they were 'very keen to get me' on board ' I eventually had to be frank with the recruiter, the words' bunch of jokers' and having a giraffe ' were used and they stopped calling.
 
few things I reckon are useful in general if you want more money

get a linked in profile

keep your CV up to date

keep your skills up to date and keep adding to them even if just via self study/online learning

keep in contact with recruiters - go to interviews even if you're not looking to leave your current job, tis quite useful to have something lined up around payrise/bonus time and is useful in general to find out if your current skill set is in demand, what people will pay for you and whether you've got anything you need to improve on. Tis just good practice.

yes I think you should move, though don't do anything hasty - you can be pickier and people have to bid more for you if you're already employed - they need to pay you enough for you to want to leave the current job (which you're not going to talk negatively about at the interview!).

If you do get a job offer, don't be afraid to ask for more... though sometimes they will try to prevent this by getting your current salary and expected salary from you early in the process.

tis also a good idea to try to either progress in terms of promotions/internal moves or move to a new company every few years... if promotion isn't looking likely after 3-4 years at one place then get out of there
 
Big pay rises in IT only come when you move companies

But try to be a bit more humble and respectful - if I was interviewing a junior tech and they told me they were "practically running the day to day operation" I'd laugh them out my office. I know how frustrating and draining first line work is but look up the dunning Kruger effect....
 
As many have said, start speaking to recruitment agents with the intention of leaving. I don't know much about the IT world but 14k seems really low. Half an hour a day break which you can't really take? I'd tell them to jog on, sounds to me like you're their doormat. Go work for a firm which will actually respect you and give you what you deserve.
 
paradigm said:
Wow. I've recently hired someone with less experience (actually none outside of retail IT) than yourself, doing less than yourself for £18k/pa.

I'd certainly move from that role, sounds like you aren't appreciated in the slightest.
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...or you could have saved £5k/pa :p
 
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