Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

[tallcanadian]

I've been working for the same company for 7 years now. I am a security technician, installing intrusion alarms and video surveillance equipment. Our company is made up of 3 businesses. Business supplies, computer and computer repair and us in security. There are only two of us doing this work and we bring in around 75-80% of the companies revenue. The two of us in security are over worked and the oldest of the other employees, I'm 48 and my supervisor is 53. Our work is neat, profession, pretty much flawless and our rapport with our customers is second to none. We have not lost a customer in the seven years i've been there due to any work negligence. We go above and beyond to help our customers out and have done things that our boss doesn't know about, just to make the customer happy. Anyway the computer technicans and the security techs have become friendly and spend some after hours time together. I have found out that I'm the lowest paid tech of us all. After 7 years I'm still the lowest paid. The computer techs have been there less than 2 years in total and are making more money than me. OUCH. What hurts even more is I do other work as well, such as cleaning the warehouse constantly, receiving freight, doing all the security paper work and billing, etc. I like this company and love my job but I'm pretty well at the end of my rope with it all. I think it may be time to move on.

I guess it was my turn to have a rant..lol.

 

[HAV2FISH]

Re: Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

One lesson i have learned over the years is it relay hard to make money and be happy when you work for the man. Have you thought about taking your talents and opening a business.

 

[rbh]

Re: Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

I know from experience how much of a kick in the butt it can be to put out 110 % and be treated like crap. so I opened up my own busines.
did you write your provincial alarm TQ, possibly you could start pulling your own electrical permits
as well diversify into all cabling, tv/coax, audio, phone, computer, (structured wire) fiber (both single and multimode)
I know things on the rock can be hit and miss,
but you never know till you try.
rob

 

[eaglejim]

Re: Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

Sounds like you are ready to take the leap reserch it well and take the plunge it is fun on the other side

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

We live in a small town and there are only a couple other alarm companies which have less that sub standard reputation. Our company is well known and has a great name. We don't even have any sales staff, except for us two installers. Most of our work comes from word of mouth. I wouldn't be able to go on my own and compete with that. That's what makes me so mad is because of our good name, in which I help build. Maybe a complete change will be good. Working for the man really sucks but a person should still be able to make a living. And what makes matters worse, the minimum wage here right now is 9.00 dollars an hour and soon will be 10. The more it goes up the less I seem to make. lol.

 

[FBPirate95]

Re: Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

We live in a small town and there are only a couple other alarm companies which have less that sub standard reputation. Our company is well known and has a great name. We don't even have any sales staff, except for us two installers. Most of our work comes from word of mouth. I wouldn't be able to go on my own and compete with that. That's what makes me so mad is because of our good name, in which I help build. Maybe a complete change will be good. Working for the man really sucks but a person should still be able to make a living. And what makes matters worse, the minimum wage here right now is 9.00 dollars an hour and soon will be 10. The more it goes up the less I seem to make. lol.

Granted I have no clue how your supervisors are, but have you come to them and proposed a wage to them that would be acceptable to you? A lot of people are scared to go to their bosses about wages. However, a lot of times, if you can pitch a good case, and you are a dependable empolyee they seem to give. Give them all of the facts, just as you did here on the board. Even include the info about minimum wage as grounds for equitable rate increases.

Keep in mind you have to kind of gauge how you think they would respond. If they are more likely to can you for it, don't do it. Also another thing that would work to your advantage is a plan B. I've used this one myself. Have a job waiting in the wings for you. You go to them, pitch your case. When they say no, or that they can't do that, already have your resignation written and hand it to them right then. I've seen it time and again where they will start back tracking everything they said and begin asking what they can do to keep you there.

Life is a negotiation, so never leave money on the table. MOST businesses will respect you for bringing a legit proposal to them, that makes good business sense.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

I agree FB, and my plan is to have another job waiting. I actually just got a raise in the spring but it wasn't even close to what I wanted. And i'm still making less than the others. lol. I think it was just shut up money. I actually like my boss and we get along great. But he lacks people skills.

 

[HAV2FISH]

Re: Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

I think you could use your company's good name to your advantage. If you went out on your own let your potential customers know your background and the reason the company is doing so well. You have to sell yourself and using this company's background is how you do it. You are its background and that a huge selling point.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

Are the custumers happy with your company or your company because it's you doing the work, Have you ever thrown little hints just to see what they would say about you thinking about going out on your own, They would keep on getting the good quality service if you went out on your own, make "little" hints and see what their reaction is. I too started my own business climbing and cutting trees, I was tired off doing the job from start to finish and only making 5% of the job, So now I still do the same thing and make 80% of the job, Yes there are the Pro's and Cons to all situations whether working for someone else or yourself, It's a big step, but at least I control how much I make, and get paid what I am worth, would your clientele from your job follow you and is there legal issues behind it. But I am glad I have my own business and enjoy what I do. I put pics for the heck of it wearing my business name, It's a good feeling because now I represent myself and my business and MY reputation.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

The way I read it you're an installer. Outside of 7 years of loyal service what do you bring to the table? Do have any advanced technical training, A Microsoft certifications perhaps?


If not, then I would suggest that you go to night school and get an advanced degree or certification of some sort. At our company, an AA is required, a 4 year degree is preferred. My boss?s secretary has a PHD if that tells you anything

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

Good advice from both you fellas, hav2fish and wavenbye. Congrats WB on your business. It's always nice to see someone do well. I think if I went that route, my own business, It would probably be doing something else. I would love to have a small restaurant. Call it Steve's Boathouse and do the boating theme thing. No, I'm not addicted. LOL.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

Actually Dingbat, I don't like calling people dingbats, I am certified and have advanced courses.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

I've been working for the same company for 7 years now. I am a security technician, installing intrusion alarms and video surveillance equipment. Our company is made up of 3 businesses. Business supplies, computer and computer repair and us in security. There are only two of us doing this work and we bring in around 75-80% of the companies revenue. The two of us in security are over worked and the oldest of the other employees, I'm 48 and my supervisor is 53. Our work is neat, profession, pretty much flawless and our rapport with our customers is second to none. We have not lost a customer in the seven years i've been there due to any work negligence. We go above and beyond to help our customers out and have done things that our boss doesn't know about, just to make the customer happy. Anyway the computer technicans and the security techs have become friendly and spend some after hours time together. I have found out that I'm the lowest paid tech of us all. After 7 years I'm still the lowest paid. The computer techs have been there less than 2 years in total and are making more money than me. OUCH. What hurts even more is I do other work as well, such as cleaning the warehouse constantly, receiving freight, doing all the security paper work and billing, etc. I like this company and love my job but I'm pretty well at the end of my rope with it all. I think it may be time to move on.

I guess it was my turn to have a rant..lol.

I know where your at. I was going to drop a line previously as I grew up on the Rock, but now more coincidence. I've been installing alarms for over 30 years. It seems your problem is everywhere. It's a type of business that doesn't pay well. I've worked for years alongside cable techs, phone techs, gas techs and electricians, and always find I'm always low man in the pay dept. Two of my younger brothers have have gone to the Alberta oil camps and are doing the turn-around. Twenty days in and ten days out. One was a heavy duty maintenance mechanic and the other a truck driver. At 53, I think my time for a change has passed. It's a good trade but I wish it paid better and had a pension.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

Hey Jeep Man, nice to hear from you. I'm 48 now so my time is getting limited, so to speak. lol. I will NOT go to Alberta for any reason. It's a big demand and a shame that salaries are so low. But it's hard to compete with national brands but we holding our own. We do our own sales, service installation, quotes, ordering, billing, etc. I know mark up percentages and some of it is pretty sweet. I know how much we are making for this company and profit margins, etc. It just burns my butt to be on such a low scale for such demanding and somedays, very physical work. And your right, it's a great trade, I love my job but after 7 years of begging and kicking myself in the butt, I thnk I'm ready to throw in the towel. I live in central Newfoundland so there isn't much to chose from. I just have to let the people know that I'm available. I know alot of people here.

 

[TahoeQ4Pilot]

Re: Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

A Job. You have one. You are blessed.

Just putting things in perspective. Feel free to continue the discussion.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

Don't get me wrong Tahoe, I am blessed. Just tired of being used. Fortunately, Newfoundland hasn't been affected too much by the recession. I'm not just giving up my job, but will be looking for a new one first. Just weighing my options.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

I agree FB, and my plan is to have another job waiting. I actually just got a raise in the spring but it wasn't even close to what I wanted. And i'm still making less than the others. lol. I think it was just shut up money. I actually like my boss and we get along great. But he lacks people skills.

I think we are working for the same guy in a different universe. The parallels are scary. Spring time was the same disappointment as you. The only time I got the increase I wanted was when I went in with a strong alternative (new job, plan for my own co. etc. in hand). I hate it that the only way to get ahead is to threaten to leave.

 

[FBPirate95]

Re: Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

The way I read it you're an installer. Outside of 7 years of loyal service what do you bring to the table? Do have any advanced technical training, A Microsoft certifications perhaps?


If not, then I would suggest that you go to night school and get an advanced degree or certification of some sort. At our company, an AA is required, a 4 year degree is preferred. My boss?s secretary has a PHD if that tells you anything

A PhD doesn't tell me jack squat. Not to offend anyone that may have them, but a PhD means absolutely nothing in the real world. She most likely is the secretary because she got a PhD in a field that has no job demand in the workforce. I saw it way too many times when getting near college graduation. Many times kids go into something they like....for example, chemistry....not a bad thing right? Well chemisits are a dime a dozen and they're pay rate is crap. When I go to speak to seniors during recruiting events, I tell them yes its nice to go to college for something you really like doing. But make sure you take a look at what will pay you the best when you get out of school. When you see people who have PhD's working a job like that, it probably meant that when they graduated with a Bachelor's, they couldn't get a job. So they decide to stay in school and get a higher degree.

College is no magical institution that makes you smarter or better than anyone else. I graduated with 2 bachelor degrees in engineering and at any time could go get my masters and PhD. Would that make me any smarter than everyone else? Would that make me any more money? Absolutely not.

So to take TC's side here, having a degree wouldn't make it any better for him in his current role. Its all about supply and demand.....the IT guys maybe get paid more, but its not because of their certification. Its because IT is a highly demanded field. TC just needs to market himself and prove that there is a high demand for a qualified and dependable employee like he is.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

I think we are working for the same guy in a different universe. The parallels are scary. Spring time was the same disappointment as you. The only time I got the increase I wanted was when I went in with a strong alternative (new job, plan for my own co. etc. in hand). I hate it that the only way to get ahead is to threaten to leave.

For sure. What bothers me too is that my immediate supervisor use to own this security side of the business and sold to this guy some 10 years ago. HE has never had a raise in all that time and won't go ask for one. He's been doing security work now for 25 years. I haven't talked to him about this yet, he's been on vacation. Maybe the two of us have to go in and threaten him..lol.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: Can't seem to get ahead at work. Maybe time for a new career.

Amen FB. It's only a piece of paper. However IT around here are a dime a dozen. However the three guys we have now are awesome fellas and I hold no ill will toward them. They just walked into this. When it comes to profits, they only bring in around 25% to the table so our field is still the money maker for the company. Thanks for the kind words.