TLDR: overworked and underpaid employee secured a new job paying $30K more a year! I never thought this day would come.
I was only 20 when I started this job. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but I quickly became the go-to person in my department for EVERYTHING. Over the years, I’ve been overworked, underpaid, and so many promises were made about raises and promotions that never came to fruition.
Within the last 3 years, I’ve gotten some certifications and increased my knowledge, confidence and performance in my role (all things they said I should do if I wanted to be considered for higher pay rate). Still nothing to show for it.
I told myself this year that if they didn’t give me a significant increase during my performance review, then I’d start searching for a new job. Well, they hit me with $5,000 more annually, which I didn’t think was enough. They were still paying me WAY below market. I told them I wasn’t happy and they said they’d see what they can do. That was in February. Never heard anything else about it and after all the previous promises, I didn’t have much hope anyway.
I started applying to jobs in April. I bombed the first interview I did and started doubting myself. What if I wasn’t worth higher pay? What if no one wanted to hire me?
After that first interview, I prepared better for the next ones and they went amazingly. I finally received an offer for $30K more annually with a better benefits package. I put in my 2 weeks notice last week and I’ll start my new job later this month. My current employer said they are working on a counteroffer, but I don’t think I’ll accept. I’m ready to move on and start fresh!
I just had to share this here because I’ve been a lurker for a while and some of the posts here gave me the encouragement I needed to start looking for a new job. (Made a throwaway just to post this.) To everyone on this sub, I hope my post inspires you to make a change and do what’s best for you