Frustrated...

[rebel100]

Just signed off on my 90 day evaluation for my new job (a few months overdue as the job started this past January). Everything is fine, evaluation was solid but I'm really quite frustrated. As many of you will recall I wasn't offered the money I was hoping for with this position and I chose to turn down a higher paying job across the country for a variety of reasons. Evaluation today and the subsequent talk with my boss just has me sort of deflated.

I went back and earned the Bachelors and then my MBA expecting it to lead to higher pay with greater responsibilities...I got the responsibilities no problem, but I actually make just a little less now than I made as a Paramedic on an ambulance...so freaking backwards!

I may become a profoundly unmotivated employee if something doesn't break soon. Don't get me wrong, happy for the opportunity and that I actually have a job, but the light at the end of the tunnel looks rather dim these days.

[defscarlett]

I'm in a similar situation. I look at it as, get as much of the experience as possible and then a few years down the line use that experience to land a job making the big bucks.

[bricabrac]

Unfortunately they know they have you by the ****. You cannot make a move until at minimum 1-1.5 yrs or it looks bad. It is always best to hold out/argue the salary going in the door or be prepared to wait 1-2 yrs for a salary upgrade (worst case yrly bump in pay or best a promotion). If your supervisor is happy with your performance he/she can offer a one-time offset; it would be a lump sum added bonus or an increase in pay with no title.

Certain companies can/will offer the best employees promotions at the 6-9 month mark. Usually it's only salary and kept quite followed by title at the year mark. You can also take advantage of any company salary enhancements: tuition reimbursement (graduate cert), health benefits for family (dental costs an arm and a leg), etc.

Chin up and stay positive! Make the most out of your current situation and learn as much as you can while there.

[LaterBloomer]

Stay positive, and be ready to get the heck out of Dodge. See if there are projects, etc., that you can take on to enhance your resume so that when the time comes - and I'm a bit more conservative than Bric, and recommend you not leave before two years - LEAP. Good luck.

[alleycat]

Well that news stinks. I am unlike bric and later, I say start looking this fall. Let's face it, we all know it takes forever to find a job , interview and get hired. I would not stick it out for years. No way. Bric is right you have to get the money going in. Because it won't come later. Later had great advice take advantage of any benefits this company has to offer. Go for it. But in the end be thankful you are employed.

[cookderosa]

it's time to read /reread Who Moved My Cheese. I read it every few years.

[alleycat]

Here is another good book to read, I Moved Your Cheese: For Those Who Refuse to Live as Mice in Someone Else's Maze by
Deepak Malhotra.It's a great read.

[rebel100]

Great advice all, much appreciated.

I have to add that my boss was very understanding and for the fist time offered up career advice. I know that in some ways I've managed to become vital to the departments success (to the extent anyone is, I have no delusions of being irreplaceable). I'm just anxious for the hard work to really pay off. Since 2008 I've been working to become the leader and the success that I believe I'm capable of, AS in EMS, advanced certifications within my career field, followed that up with a hard earned BS in 2011 then the MBA this year as you guys know. In that time also been "promoted" and I've been able to wiggle my way into some high profile projects that have gone well. My resume and linked in accounts are polished. Trying to do all the things successful people are supposed to do, but feel like I must be missing some essential piece.

I see people around me, sometimes at work but I'm speaking of in the industry as a whole, that clearly aren't particularly capable...yet they seem to be enjoying disproportional titles and compensation. Not to say that they have been handed things, but I can't see how the strings were pulled drawing them to their position...at times I'm left scratching my head.

Plan is to keep raising my hand and volunteering to lead and participate in projects. At least then I receive some feedback that's positive from time to time. I also hope to publish some job related articles this year, we've (I) have come up with some ideas and applications related to specific problems that I think are worthy of a write up (and even if they aren't I get my name out there). The other goal is to really broaden my professional network. The one job offer I've had this year came directly because I took the time to ask someone a couple years ago for career advice and assistance, the guy really came through (though I did my part by embarking on the MBA as he suggested). I realize I have a ways to go yet, but I'm doing my part. I also need to craft ways to demonstrate that the skills I display translate to the next level. I want the C-Suite COO, CEO, Administrator, etc... So I think part of the trick will be demonstrating not that I built a new fire plan, but rather how I translated the pieces to the separate units and earned the buy in across disciplines...how I affected the place as a whole. Detail how the idea of a mobile incident command cart isn't particularly novel, but the application is tailored to a resilient critical management structure that considers the greater implications of leadership. Finally I want to show that the teaching and leading skills are there. I can demonstrate this through the classes, drills, and exercises I've designed lately. Last week I led well over 100 people through an evacuation drill and helped them build essential skills. I need to frame this in a way that it isn't just about Emergency Management or Security, but rather about translating concepts, building individual skills, and assembling ad hoc teams to solve problems.

I think this thread has been good for me, thanks for all your input...

Reb,

[burbuja0512]

Hey there - long time no talk! I didn't realize you had taken the new job!!

I know the frustrated feeling and I think it happens more than people care to share. My experience getting into the field I wanted did involve YEARS of lower paid work. In my situation, it was more about doing what I wanted rather than getting a big pay off. Don't get me wrong, the money comes... it's just that you need to put in the time at jobs that look great on a resume and may not pay well. In the meanwhile, just try to hang on and enjoy what you're doing

[rebel100]

Hey there - long time no talk! I didn't realize you had taken the new job!!

I took the promotion at the old job...still in Fla. I was offered the move to Colorado, but turned it down due to housing costs and the fact that my aging parents were very reluctant to stay in Fla without me or make the move to frigid Co. I suppose that deep down passing on this job sticks in my mind...despite the drawbacks I turned down a doubling of my salary....and just watched a guy leave my hospital for the one in Co. !!!