Thursday, November 27, 2008

How I don't understand the market today

I know this post might anger some of my American friends, or even other people affected by today's economy and job market and stuff. But holy crap people.

Every week I get about 2 or 3 emails or phone calls from headhunting companies looking for me - by NAME - to work for some other company. It's funny though because a lot of them aren't really applicable to me (I don't have 7 years experience and am not a senior engineer etc). But some really do just want me. I've always turned them down instantly, to me it's like telemarketers. But this last girl that just called for some reason got my mind whirrling. Maybe I should just hear what they've got to say? See what kind of offer they've got. I know I'm currently being under paid for the market I'm in (only in Saskatchewan folks. Seriously, if you're looking for a hot ecomony, even fast food drive through positions are paying $15/hour, maybe more, AND we're one of the most affordable places to live. enough advertising?) I know that come Christmas and performance reviews the company is going to go retroactive with raises for the full year (hmm, that's gonna be a nice fat cheque won't it? Treadmill? nah) But still, I don't know if it's really going to be up there. I think maybe after Christmas, if I'm still lower than market average I'll answer one of these emails...

I'm in a really nice profession that every 2 years does a salary survey and sorts it by all sorts of things, industry worked in, position wrt management etc, year graduated university, advanced degrees etc. So you can basically find yourself on that list and see what the average and upper and lower ranges etc. Well I'm in a strange place a bit because I'm between Bachelor and Master degree, plus I'm only an Engineer-in-training (yes we have to call ourselves that for 4 years until we're designated Professional engineers) whereas most people who graduated in 2004 have several years experience and I don't etc. Anyway, I'm guessing that if I want to be paid AVERAGE for where I am, I'm getting shorted about $5-8K a year. If I get that paid back for the last year in one big chunk that would be sweet. But I hope they don't count that as my Christmas bonus, it should be on top of. anyway, whatever.

But I do make plenty of money, so I'm not sure if that would really swing me to work at a different job. I am pretty comfortable here, the hours are good, I basically know what I'm doing now. Getting more responsibilities and challenges constantly right now. I dunno. More money would be nice too, be more comfortable, do things sooner than we were going to otherwise. But at the same time, it would be gone instantly right? You know how you never see the money, it just goes into more things and then you're at the same place.

Anyway, I like money talk and stuff like that so I'm sorry if I bored you with it.

4 comments:

Jen said...

No worries...people can be funny about money though!!!

I think job satisfaction is the most important part, if you enjoy your position and the money is good (and you are appreciated and valued) then yeah, stay where you are at, BUT if you think you deserve more $$$ you could see what these other companies might be offering...you could use it as a bargaining tool and remind your company what a hot commodity you are...

I don't think there is anything to worry about upsetting anyone...personally I think you did the work, you earned the degree, therefore you earn the paycheck!!! I get envious of people but then I realize that I really don't have it bad and I can't be annoyed that "this" person gets "this" much money or bought "this" because I don't have a whole heck of a lot of education, I just got dealt a good hand because I was in the right place at the right time...

ANyhoo, no worries...i don't think you will insult anyone...and doesn't that feel nice to be asked for BY NAME????

Angela Power said...

I agree with Jen. Job satisfaction is right up there with money. I'd rather work at a lower paying job if it was enough $ that I could and it was a job I enjoyed over a job with more money that may or maynot give me the happy with work part. But who knows maybe you'd be happy at one of those other jobs too, ya never know.

Tiffa said...

I totally hear you. I don't think engineers will ever have trouble finding a job! Same as nurses... the number one reason that I love my profession.

Vanessa said...

I would just like to get a job. 3 more school terms left!

I envy you :)