STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Oooh - I've been caught in the new-job-same-pay thing too. I think you're stuck with the money for now - although whenever I've seen this no-raises situation, there's been one person making a bunch (usually not a very useful someone, either, but a buddy of someone high up) and the rest of the people using the place for a resume booster. But I digress.

I think the best fix right now is to act completely happy with the current situation because they're ready for you to complain and they're not going to give you more right now. But, you are a bargain and they don't want to have to replace you, although they will since obviously the game is to sucker the secretaries into doing high paying jobs for nothing. So now you have to NAIL THEM DOWN on what you need to do to get a raise, HOW MUCH that raise will be and WHEN that kicks in. Plus, start thinking of perks you want, and ask for one a month or so. Just keep smiling and act like "i knew this wouldn't be a big deal to you..." It's a reverse of their "We thought you'd be happy for the opportunity" game. Bastards. Pick a manager who's going to be your reference and start kissing up. Then pick a better job, find the list of things you would need to get that job, and start doing them - don't even bother with what you're supposed to be doing. It doesn't really matter. Just keep presenting it in a "taking initiative" sort of way, and kind of mention your accomplishments to your boss or whomever in an indirect way.

I'm pretty sure you're goign to hate this, because you don't sound like much of a game player. But, to be perfectly blunt, sitting back and waiting for your hard work to be noticed and expecting to be treated fairly just got you very, very screwed over. I'd be mad as hell, and it's your turn to use them. They can't give you more money right now, but it shouldn't be too hard to get them to commit to something for the future. (Oh, and when you're talking to them, keep the time frame vague until right at the end, when you've nailed down tasks and amount, and you can slip in,"So I was thinking if I get this done by ? three months or so it'll kick in then" and see if they'll go for it. Don't let them out of there wihtout a time frame - but dont' use a date - just "early June" or something - then send a nice, casualish sounding email since that's the way they do things). Keep it loose, keep it cheerful, and don't give them another inch.

It might be hard to get someone to commit to talking to you at all. If it is, post again and I'll see if I recognize the tactic...

Oh, and it couldn't hurt to figure out who the power players are who're running this candyshop. It sounds like everything is going to have to go through pretty informal, irregular channels, so you need to know where to go when they don't follow through with their end (because they probably won't at first). Figure out who your boss is afraid of and find something to like about that person, then make them your friend.

Good luck - and I'm so sorry about this. It's really hard to get used to working with people who will take advantage of you if it's new to you...

PS - Please don't ever agree to even sneeze for this company again without first finding out how much they will pay you for it. This is not a situation where you politely wait to see what they think you're worth - because they'll lie. You decide what you want and see how much they'll give you. There's nothing wrong with that. This is business. they want to pay you the least possible, but they know you're worth more, so you meet in the middle. They expect it. (although they will probably lie and try to subtly hit your guilt buttons - it's just another tactic).

-- Edited by Dizzy at 18:47, 2006-04-28