I finally understand the name TintWeezl! -- The Autograph Book

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Date Posted: 02:55:30 04/04/02 Thu
Author: LS
Subject: I finally understand the name TintWeezl!
In reply to: Tarnish 's message, "It's sales and it's not ....." on 00:42:29 04/04/02 Thu

Okay, Tarn, you are clearly upset, intoxicated or both, heh.

I understand your feelings completely and have been there myself. The bottom line is, no matter what field you're in, other than a sales type gig that Tint describes whereby your effort/skill/network, etc. is directly related to your compensation, people knowing what other people make is a recipe for resentment and a veru dangerous thing.

When you got that job, you came to them with virtually no relevant professional experience. You ended out being great at what you do and have a good mind for the business. If you feel your skills are underappreciated, then it is likely time to look elsewhere. This time, you'll come to the table with more than a year of relevant experience.

But don't cut off your nose to spite your face. A job in the hand is worth two in the bush. Without bringing up that you are aware of your new coworker's pay scale, list what you do that is above and beyond the original job description for which you were hired in a memo to your supervisor. Request a redefinition of your role and an increase in pay, outlining all of your contributions to the company in the letter. If possible, be specific about cost savings measures you have initiated, or top line sales revenues you have generated for the store. Doing a good job at satisfying customers is one thing, but in this dog eat dog world we live in, the bottom line is the company's bottom line, and they want to know how much money you make or break for them.

Some company's are fabulous at handing out new titles without compensation. Others can't rock the structural hierarchy but can give you compensation in pay. Pay me, play me or trade me is what it's all about. They need to compensate you more, give you new challenges or career development opportunities or risk losing your talents. Also, there's a pretty good chance that your boss is taking credit for the in-store improvements that you've made, so you may need to cc the regional manager (the person to whom your boss reports).

In the meantime, go out and start marketing yourself elsewhere. You've gained much in the past year, and I've found that the best way to increase your salary level significantly is by changing companies. No matter how great of a job you do, a company can only increase your wages by a certain per centage. At a new company, you can start at a whole new level. It's all about the initial negotiation. Hats off to your new coworker for being in a position to negotiate for himself a better rate to start. Now, you're in the position to do the same for yourself. Also, it's way more effective to go into your current boss and say you're leaving your company because you 'truly loved working there, but you have a job offer with a 50% increaste across the street.' Your company would then have the opportunity to match your current offer. If they can't or won't, don't be offended. Don't burn any bridges. Being vindictive is not going to enhance the refernce you'll receive from this employer. And, you never know when you'll be doing business with those same people down the road.

As far as sales goes, my boss once told me I could sell ice cubes to an Eskimo. But I am happiest working for a company where I believe in the product I am selling, and giving the customers what they need, not what they don't. In my past career, I had customers follow me from job to job to job, because they knew I'd do them right, not wrong. They knew I'd exceed their expectations in every way in providing the services for which they were contracting. Maybe this is why I am struggling right now. But things are looking up again career interview-wise. And, I recently told my contractor boss that, though I loved working for her, I could not make ends meet and was going to be forced to actively seek another job. I printed my resume, outlined the team leader functions I had been doing without the pay and went to talk to her. I got a 70% increase, which is the biggest increase I ever got for the same job in my life. I do now feel appreciated and know that my contributions are not going unrecognized.

As far as the loyalty thing goes, loyalty is a beautiful thing. But companies these days will slit your throat to save their own neck in a heartbeat. (Regrettabley, I know this all to well now.) It is a rare breed corporation that will suffer through a recession without letting people go these days. So, your number one loyalty has to be yourself.

Good luck, and don't let your frustration eat you inside. Use it as fuel to do something positive for yourself. Try to not take this as personally as you are. To the company, it's just business. But since you put so much of your own self into the job, I understand that it burns. Let the fire motivate you to get what you deserve, even if it is elsewhere.

Welcome to the working world (c:

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Replies:

The nature of the business ... -- Tarnish, 09:37:08 04/04/02 Thu
- I'm awaiting my first increase check too. -- LS, 11:43:30 04/04/02 Thu
  - bummer -- LS, 14:34:09 04/04/02 Thu
- Ar Nature's Beauty -- Sweet Friends, 14:32:59 08/08/09 Sat