"They Won't Pay Me My Worth"
I see this phrase a LOT on Jobcase, typically mixed with other reasons an applicant feels they didn't get the job. (Age, appearance, race, etc...)
There very well may be something to this, though the responsibility might not fall onto the shoulders of the potential employer, as much as it falls on the applicant's.
You may have twenty years of experience in your industry. In this example, let's say your experience happens to be in office administration. You have been out of work now for almost a year, and you find that many jobs aren't willing to pay you what you feel you're worth. When you don't get hired, you assume it is because they want someone younger, whiter, prettier, etc...
There very well may be instances where this is true, but, for a lot of folks, it is simply that the salary they are demanding far outweighs what a company is willing to pay.
For each job requisition a company posts, they have a set salary range. Their desired applicants will fall within that range. If they have anything to say about it, they will fill the position with someone willing to work the job on the lower end of the range. From a business standpoint, it makes fiscal sense.
If you were with your previous employer for twenty years, you received pay increases each year based on your work ethic and ability. Merit increases mixed with cost of living increases may very well have put your pay rate outside the scope of the current market rate for an office administrator. Which is good for you...until you lose that job. Whether you retired, got fired, was let go, whatever the means, you are no longer with your job of 20 years.
Now, you have twenty years experience but you also have no money coming in. When you apply for a job, you expect to find a company willing to start you off at the rate that you were making with your previous employer after twenty years of employment.
Realistically, that simply isn't going to happen. It is not fair for you to expect a new employer to pick up where your old employer left off. I am sure they would love someone with your experience and skill-set; but the bottom line is, they aren't going to start you off anywhere near what you were making.
Rare is the circumstance when a company will do that, but the odds are not in your favor.
If you are unemployed, understand that most jobs are willing to pay market value for your skills. In fact, if you are aces in your field, you may command the high end of the salary range that has been earmarked for the position but you won't make your old rate and it is not fair to expect a potential employer to accommodate your previous salary. This is especially true when you are unemployed and have been making zero dollars for 6 to 12 months. That puts the advantage into the hands of your prospective employer.
The bottom line is, you are not being discriminated against when a potential employer can only afford to pay a certain amount and they turn you down because you are asking for more than they budget for. If you truly need work and you are finding it a challenge to land a job in a field in which you excel, consider taking the high end of the range, despite the fact that it falls well-below your previous pay grade. You will be making more than zero dollars an hour and it puts you back into the status of a passive job seeker, which is very attractive to potential employers. Being an employed job-seeker might be the thing that can help you secure a higher salary.
Lastly, before applying for a company, you can research the job and the salary by visiting the company page on glassdoor.com. Simply search for the company/job title for which you are applying and you should see a salary range for that particular job. It will give you an idea of what the company is willing to pay for the role and some room to negotiate. (https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/salary-negotiation-tips-know-how-much-money-youre-worth)
Be reasonable, be understanding, know that your previous worth may far exceed what the market rate is for the position,and research the current market rates to best negotiate the higher end of the range. You will eventually get back to where you left off, but it's most likely going to take some hard work and proving yourself.
Best of luck in your search!
I’m still here the job doesn’t make me I make the job!!!!
Ok all of that maybe true, but y doesn’t the employer tell the applicants what they r willing to pay, y go thru with the interview process asking what my salary should be when I’m going to give u my “worth” but u can’t afford me. It’s a waste of time for both parties.
John Desir ,you rightfully put it and I think that is the besr springboard from joblessness under the circumstabnces.
A complete,detailed,accurate article,the content of which job seekers should be guided by, No room for additional, useful comment. Mr. Harrington deserves an award for this exhaustive account
Many if not all potential employers desire to pay within a certain range - market value rate regardless of a candidate experience or years of service. I get it, their budget demands a strict adherence for their profit margins. I get it - A Steady Pay Check is a Steady Paycheck but, if you're looking for job satisfaction and performance raises those opportunities are slim when you're not valued for experience, knowledge,or skill set. Accepting the lower pay diminishes the spirit and motivation. #jobsearch #worthy #lifestyle
Those word what you have spoken of give an insight and good advice on how to be understanding of how to use money wisely in today society. Sometimes people get appalled at how these words that they think it gets the better of them, including employers who don’t realize that it doesn’t make themselves worse, only makes a person successful.
While I do agree with what most of the article says about a new company not being able to pay a canidate what they were making 20 years at an old job, but some companies barely offer the canidate something decent, comparable with the cost of living and within the industry standard.
Employers know experience comes with a higher salary expectation. But a lot of ppl are willing to negotiate some salary if the company can offer a good 401K, shift flexibility, PTO, ect.
Both employee and employer must have some flexibility with expectations.
There's an equation here, and could it be you are out of balance on the expenditures/outflow side of it? Just askin. Because it's not just about how much you make. Heck, I meet people all the time making six figures who can't make ends meet. My wife and I on the other hand have never netted more than 39K a year between us in 25 years and our bills are just about paid off.
Alright so, where all of this may be true or close to thereof, some of us are willing to accept & work 80 hr week to either get ahead if its even possible or to even just survive. Most Middle class Americans have 2-4 jobs to support their families and single folks like myself, accept and work like this because our economy is so expensive and their is no give anywhere. Now, at what point or is there ever a light at the end of that tunnel for the people in the work force that have no desire to suck our system to properly get acknowledged in their experiences and education in terms of their worth? Do you think this game will ever be realized by the ones that call these 'ranges' that most likely have never been in the seat of those they are hiring? i do not watch much television but, I think that the show "Under Cover Boss" is such an eye opener for Business Owners and Employers. I know I have two FT Jobs myself and never stop. I do know it will pay off in the end. There are not many who can persevere and tolerate as I do the no sleep, constant going, many situations and attitudes that need to be dealt with daily that come with "Protect and Serve" , its not made for everyone. i do see a lot and i do see how and why the things happen to people that they do and sadly, I am starting to understand. The Question is: when do these companies and Corporations start seeing things for what they really are in our environment and communities in terms of our work force? Back to basics Folks, People need to genuinely care about each other, be aware of your environment and surroundings. Help Each other no matter what level you are at in a company or corporation. If Someone is worth hiring do it no matter what the cost, it will benefit all.....?
Anthony,
Your Post is right on target, great insight, and extremely factual I just love it! Should make us all "Think"...Stop complaining and start making what you want to happen...you know that has been my continued theme.