What should I do about my job

DJMK4 · 4 May 2008 at 14:00

I work in the IT sector, my main job role is to develop, support and administer and roll out VoIP to a large cooperation, in addition to this I work within a team supporting 800+ users across a windows platform, and also in a IBM Lotus Notes/Domino system (Qualified CSA 6/7) which has just been taken on by an even bigger company which means more work. Problem is the pay is very poor seeing as I have been there 2 years and came out of uni.

I started the job fresh out of uni on £13.5k, rising to £14.5k after 6 months, the latest took me upto £15.5k. Seeing how much this company (and even more so after the merge) is earning, i think that is a poor salary for someone in my position.

Why am i still there? at the moment im there for experience, iv got a good 2 years under my belt now in the support role, iv completed numourous qualifications (albiet in IBM, looking to do microsoft very soon) and im the only member in the team of 6 (besides my manager) who has driven the company forward in terms of communication, i have helped the company roll out VoIP (by divison) with the help of my manager and our telecoms contractor and continue to extend and develop the system.

The thing is im getting the the point now where I feel that I should be getting more than I am? and in todays life where everything is so expensive, it is starting to effect me, i dont want to leave the company because its a good company to work for and their could be some fantastic oppotunities coming up what with this merger.

It's getting to the point now where I am concidering advertising locally for PC maintenence and repairs, and i feel i shouldnt really need to do that?

DJMK4 · 4 May 2008 at 14:02

Also mods could you please change the thread title to

"What should I do about my job"

Thanks

dowie · 4 May 2008 at 14:09

[Sniper][Wolf];11624475 said:
i dont want to leave the company because its a good company to work for and their could be some fantastic oppotunities coming up what with this merger.

Come off it you're a grad with 2 years experience and you're earning 15k??? Move to a new company or at least secure an offer from another firm and threaten to resign from your current place unless you're given a significant pay rise. 15k is just taking the mickey, you shouldn't owe them any loyalty at that price and there are plenty of other firms out there who can offer 'fantastic opportunities' too.

DJMK4 · 4 May 2008 at 14:11

dowie said:
Come off it you're a grad with 2 years experience and you're earning 15k??? Move to a new company or at least secure an offer from another firm and threaten to resign from your current place unless you're given a significant pay rise. 15k is just taking the mickey, you shouldn't owe them any loyalty at that price and there are plenty of other firms out there who can offer 'fantastic opportunities' too.

The company's IT sector has a reputation of hiring "cheap" uni graduate labour giving them a low salary hoping they will stay, but a lot of people have done a runner.

Glaucus · 4 May 2008 at 14:13

It's easy demand more money whilst looking for a new job. TBH they want cheap labour and they've given you experience. It's time to move on to bigger and better things. 2 years in the same job is a long time.

DJMK4 · 4 May 2008 at 14:14

AcidHell2 said:
It's easy demand more money whilst looking for a new job. TBH they want cheap labour and they've given you experience. It's time to move on to bigger and better things. 2 years in the same job is a long time.

The thing is im enjoying the VoIP stuff so much I dont want to leave that, unless I know I will be doing similar sort of stuff in my new role.

Saying that im sure there are quite a few companies still looking to role out VoIP

Chris1712 · 4 May 2008 at 14:16

I'd be straight out of there at that salary, my 3rd year PLACEMENT offers have all been higher than that, 15k being the lowest with a 500 sign on bonus.

dowie · 4 May 2008 at 14:18

[Sniper][Wolf];11624555 said:
The thing is im enjoying the VoIP stuff so much I dont want to leave that, unless I know I will be doing similar sort of stuff in my new role.

Well its hardly a niche area now is it - just apply for similar positions in other firms.

Your colleagues who've 'done a runner' have presumably all moved to something better paid, you're not doing yourself any favours by staying put.

(edited for spelling)

DJMK4 · 4 May 2008 at 14:18

Atleast I know now that what I was thinking is a reality, it is poor isnt it?

I will start looking round

Glaucus · 4 May 2008 at 14:20

[Sniper][Wolf];11624555 said:
The thing is im enjoying the VoIP stuff so much I dont want to leave that, unless I know I will be doing similar sort of stuff in my new role.

Saying that im sure there are quite a few companies still looking to role out VoIP

exactly, apply have the interviews. You can always turn it down if it's not what you are after. There will be other companies who want someone to do exactly the same as you are doing now.

Sarduk · 4 May 2008 at 14:26

You know the supply far, far outweighs the demand for that company - as graduate you are privileged to be working for them, not the other way around.

However, I am not sure why your pay rises have been so small; my friends who work for IBM (albeit as Software Developers or Business Development Graduates) started on £21k and expect to be earning £30 or more after two - three years. Are you doing something wrong?

DJMK4 · 4 May 2008 at 14:27

In the meantime, is there anything I could approach my manager with? do you think if i approach him and explain the situation I am in, struggling every month with living and paying off any student debts, do you think that will get me anywhere? or will it be better to ask that question once I have secured another job?

DJMK4 · 4 May 2008 at 14:29

JimpsEd said:
You know the supply far, far outweighs the demand for that company - as graduate you are privileged to be working for them, not the other way around.

However, I am not sure why your pay rises have been so small; my friends who work for IBM (albeit as Software Developers or Business Development Graduates) started on £21k and expect to be earning £30 or more after two - three years. Are you doing something wrong?

No, its not me thats doing something wrong, let me explain, I dont work for IBM, but we use IBM systems, its not just me in this situation which explains why many people have left the company. a lot of people in the IT division be it support or development, are getting treated the same.

Sarduk · 4 May 2008 at 15:28

[Sniper][Wolf];11624622 said:
No, its not me thats doing something wrong, let me explain, I dont work for IBM, but we use IBM systems, its not just me in this situation which explains why many people have left the company. a lot of people in the IT division be it support or development, are getting treated the same.

Oh I see - in that case, ditch them! You are worth far, far more. Having graduated within the last four years, you'll probably still qualify for most other graduate schemes with some big or medium sized companies. With your added experience, I am sure you'd be well placed to enter one of those schemes that guarantees a fast track.

DJMK4 · 4 May 2008 at 15:47

JimpsEd said:
Oh I see - in that case, ditch them! You are worth far, far more. Having graduated within the last four years, you'll probably still qualify for most other graduate schemes with some big or medium sized companies. With your added experience, I am sure you'd be well placed to enter one of those schemes that guarantees a fast track.

Im updating my CV today

, do you think it would be any good approaching my manager in the short fall? explain the situation and hope for the best?

thephantom114 · 4 May 2008 at 16:15

[Sniper][Wolf];11624987 said:
Im updating my CV today , do you think it would be any good approaching my manager in the short fall? explain the situation and hope for the best?

What's the worst that can happen? Might as well give it a go as you are getting job satisfaction as well

DJMK4 · 4 May 2008 at 18:53

Another question aswel, if I did decide I wanted to move on, I currenly hold the following qualfications from them:

IBM Lotus Notes/Domino6/6.5 CSA
IBM Lotus Notes/Domino7 CSA

The next qualification i was going to do would be a MCP, but seeing as most of my work is revolved around VoIP, networking and communication, I would like to focus on that point, which lets face it, means CCNA. Now I cant exactly try and do a CCNA before I move on is it? Whats the chances of a company taking me on with the speculation that I am to achieve my CCNA?

TriedandTested · 4 May 2008 at 18:59

[Sniper][Wolf];11624611 said:
In the meantime, is there anything I could approach my manager with? do you think if i approach him and explain the situation I am in, struggling every month with living and paying off any student debts, do you think that will get me anywhere? or will it be better to ask that question once I have secured another job?

Don't attempt to justify a pay rise with a sob story. Look at what you do, what you bring to the company and call a meeting with your manager. Before that meeting takes place prepare what you're going to say and do some research on salaries in your field of work.

[TW]Fox · 4 May 2008 at 19:02

You need a new job. I earnt almost that much on a placement (infact more than your starting salary) in a poverty striken area of the country.

Col_M · 4 May 2008 at 19:05

If you're not happy move on. In this day and age where it's so common for people to change jobs often, staying in a job that doesn't pay you enough doesn't make sense.

I'm fed up with my current job and am looking for openings in other companies. I've found a number of jobs in the first week or two and am arranging interviews, if I can find jobs in a city where I can't speak the native language I'm sure you can find loads where you are