Am I being too aggressive or it's GOOD to be a go-getter right?

[E equals MC2]

My current job I make $45K as a project specialist for 3 years, before I was in college.

My next job, I really want to jump up. I'm 26 now and I always feel the pressure against my age to do better and better. You shouldn't be bound by your own limits and it's all about selling yourself to get that next big job right?

My next personal aim is to make $70K+. At that I'd be quite happy (assuming you stay in generally same area for expenses, etc). I even scored an interview for a Project Manager position for that $$$ but I failed (lol).

Well, lately I've been getting recruiters coming to me with Assistant Project Mananger positions for $55-60K. Should I 'settle' for these?

I feel like I'm just being lazy and I shouldn't settle since I haven't been proactively looking.

What do you think ATOT? Am I being too aggressive/need a reality check or it's good to be ambitious? I know you can't simply judge jobs based on salary, but this is being general with all other things being equal.

 

[GasX]

Don't focus on your next job. Focus on the job after that. If an opportunity opens up big doors down the line, it may be a better bet then the "pay me now" job.

 

[JJChicken]

Do what YOU want to do. Don't set your goals too much by money, although it is important, but do what you truly enjoy doing. I also think sometimes its best to avoid focusing on climbing the corporate ladder, but enjoying other things in life (e.g. gf, etc). But if getting good job and status that goes with it is what you enjoy, then by all means be as ambitious as possible (still realistic though). You only live once.

 

[E equals MC2]

Originally posted by: Barack Obama
Do what YOU want to do. Don't set your goals too much by money, although it is important, but do what you truly enjoy doing. I also think sometimes its best to avoid focusing on climbing the corporate ladder, but enjoying other things in life (e.g. gf, etc). But if getting good job and status that goes with it is what you enjoy, then by all means be as ambitious as possible (still realistic though). You only live once.

Thanks for the sound advice. Fortunately, all other aspects of my life I'm happy. I got a good gf, I enjoy my hobbies, friends are great, etc.

Now is the time to focus on the part of what I perceive to be lacking the most: career.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Take it from me - I recently didnt take a job that offered me $10k more. Why, because career wise it wouldn't have helped me. It feel like it would've set me back years, it reminded me of my first job when I was in college. I sat and did nothing, except field helpdesk calls. Where I am now, I get to code all day and fix servers when they break. The new gig? Lots of proprietary software that is supported by various vendors. I don't get to do what I do best, hence I decided to stay where I can
utilize my skills more.

I'm 28, so I know how you feel. I didnt want to settle for less when I was at my first job. I actually quit and landed a gig w/ a school where I was able to learn a lot on the job. I actually took a pay cut but it was the best thing that could've happened to me. I left and now I doubled my salary since then. My next goal is to get to closer to $100k but that most likely means I would need to be a manager/director.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: LuckyTaxi
My next goal is to get to closer to $100k but that most likely means I would need to be a manager/director.

No it doesn't. It means that you need to specialize in something and do it well rather than be a jack of all trades master of none IT guy.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: LuckyTaxi
My next goal is to get to closer to $100k but that most likely means I would need to be a manager/director.

No it doesn't. It means that you need to specialize in something and do it well rather than be a jack of all trades master of none IT guy.

This is true ... I need to brush up on my php skills and turn into a senior software engineer or something.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Your personal aim of $70k is probably unrealistic based on your experience and what recruiters are telling you. At your age, any position is just a stepping stone.

 

[E equals MC2]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Your personal aim of $70k is probably unrealistic based on your experience and what recruiters are telling you. At your age, any position is just a stepping stone.

No... I think that's how you limit yourself...especially in biz/bullshit world.

Biz world isn't always step by step. You just gotta be at the right time & right place + do your best to increase that chance.

No need to look back, but I know I could've gotten that PM job back in April.... garrgh. They would've paid around that area.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: E equals MC2

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Your personal aim of $70k is probably unrealistic based on your experience and what recruiters are telling you. At your age, any position is just a stepping stone.

No... I think that's how you limit yourself...especially in biz/bullshit world.

Biz world isn't always step by step. You just gotta be at the right time & right place + do your best to increase that chance.

No need to look back, but I know I could've gotten that PM job back in April.... garrgh. They would've paid around that area.

Then you don't know the business world. When I hire PMs and other positions, we work with HR who work with external companies to determine salary ranges for positions based on years of experience/skillsets/current market rates.

In regards to the PM job you interviewed for, why would a company hire someone that has only been an assistant PM when they can hire someone who has been a PM for several years? If you want to move up to a pure PM position, your best bet is to work for a company that will promote you to the position. Getting promoted by switching companies is much more rare.

At your age, salary should be a lower priority to Career growth/potential and Company growth/potential. You can continue to apply for PM positions but you'll eventually find out unless you have your PMP or have a special skillset that's in demand or get promoted within your own company to a PM position, you're going to have to take a lateral job switch to progress upwards.

 

[Koing]

You have a job right now right?

Then GO AGGRESSIVE. My last mate took a huge 80% pay rise moving, he basically told all of his recruiters that he wanted XXX if it was lower do not call him. That basically cut away 90% of the McRecruiters. He got a job and is making his XXX. I asked for a 75% raise in my job and I got it. I'm a solid candiate and I interview well with a niche skill set (trading application support with fix and unix)

Apprently there are loads of crap candiates out there. If you are good you can command more £££. If they aren't willing to pay then don't go for it, you will not be happy there.

I went aggressive and I got a big pay rise. They would have paid a lot less, if I didn't go aggressive. How do I know this? My ex work friend was offered the same job but went with another job.

The squeeky wheel gets the grease mate. Most of my previous colleagues didn't ask for a lot more and as a consequence they did not get a lot more. I've always asked for a lot more.

Koing

 

[E equals MC2]

Originally posted by: Koing
You have a job right now right?

Then GO AGGRESSIVE. My last mate took a huge 80% pay rise moving, he basically told all of his recruiters that he wanted XXX if it was lower do not call him. That basically cut away 90% of the McRecruiters. He got a job and is making his XXX. I asked for a 75% raise in my job and I got it. I'm a solid candiate and I interview well with a niche skill set (trading application support with fix and unix)

Apprently there are loads of crap candiates out there. If you are good you can command more £££. If they aren't willing to pay then don't go for it, you will not be happy there.

I went aggressive and I got a big pay rise. They would have paid a lot less, if I didn't go aggressive. How do I know this? My ex work friend was offered the same job but went with another job.

The squeeky wheel gets the grease mate. Most of my previous colleagues didn't ask for a lot more and as a consequence they did not get a lot more. I've always asked for a lot more.

Koing

This is what I'm talking about Koing!

 

[spidey07]

Why sell yourself so short? Check out salary.com for your area and what your field is. Pick out what you think your next position should be and go get it.

Koing has the right idea. So many people don't know what they are worth and just kind of "settle" on a low salary because they think that's what they're worth. Don't be that guy, be the guy that get's what you want.

 

[aceO07]

Just curious, but what's a project specialist?

 

[E equals MC2]

Originally posted by: aceO07
Just curious, but what's a project specialist?

u do the core bitch work while PM does all the delegating / meeting customers.

 

[torpid]

Originally posted by: aceO07
Just curious, but what's a project specialist?

Also, what's an assistant project manager? Is there a "to the" missing?

 

[Adn4n]

Originally posted by: torpid

Originally posted by: aceO07
Just curious, but what's a project specialist?

Also, what's an assistant project manager? Is there a "to the" missing?

The Office reference FTW.

How is this for an incentive. I make more money working for Northrop Grumman at age 21 as an intern ,w/o having completed my mechanical engineering B.S yet., than you do. You're 26? Wow, grandpa, I hope you have your Roth IRA setup.

I hope you picked up on the sarcasm in the paragraph above. I think you should settle for the position that pays more unless it contractually binds you to it for a certain amount of time. Also, if you really are looking for something better start now. Take it from someone who became a refugee at age 5, don't ever settle.

And do you enjoy your job? I'm taking a grad level course called Project Management in a Technical Environment as one of my Tech Electives for ME and am bored to hell. Everything I'm taught, or rather told, seems like something common sense dictates.

 

[OdiN]

If you can get the APM job for 60K, why not?

With a couple years as an APM, a full on PM may be easier for you to get. Places may not want to jump you from PS to a PM and skip over the APM position. Normally you've got to climb the ladder like everyone else, unless you think you're really good enough. But then you have to sell it, and after that you've got to BE that good, or you won't last long.

 

[Jschmuck2]

Does everyone here measure how well they are doing with an $xxK?

 

[SaoFeng]

Originally posted by: OdiN
If you can get the APM job for 60K, why not?

With a couple years as an APM, a full on PM may be easier for you to get. Places may not want to jump you from PS to a PM and skip over the APM position. Normally you've got to climb the ladder like everyone else, unless you think you're really good enough. But then you have to sell it, and after that you've got to BE that good, or you won't last long.

agree

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Jschmuck2
Does everyone here measure how well they are doing with an $xxK?

Nope. I rate Salary 4th on my list.

Career Growth/Opportunity
Company
Location
Salary

 

[sygyzy]

I would definitely take it. It's hard to break into some fields and getting an assistant position means you can move up.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Why sell yourself so short? Check out salary.com for your area and what your field is. Pick out what you think your next position should be and go get it.

Koing has the right idea. So many people don't know what they are worth and just kind of "settle" on a low salary because they think that's what they're worth. Don't be that guy, be the guy that get's what you want.

Yeah you got to go for the balls mate. No messing about. Well it's easier when you have a job to fall back on.

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: Jschmuck2
Does everyone here measure how well they are doing with an $xxK?

Nope. I rate Salary 4th on my list.

Career Growth/Opportunity
Company
Location
Salary

Same apart from location doesn't factor in much. Career Growth, company and salary is my order.

Koing

 

[preslove]

If you want to be a Project Manager, taking a job as Assistant Project Manager is a step in the right direction. Not taking a job that moves your career forward because it isn't "good enough" is stupid. There's a reason you're not getting recruited for PM jobs.

 

[sourceninja]

I just do what I love. The cash comes with that. No need to go job jumping all the time to find the 'best easy pay'. Seriously, would you rather make 60k a year doing something you love, or 120k a year doing something you find boring or even hate? I could easily double what I make right now, but the simple fact is I love my job. Here I am godlike, if I went out into the corporate world, I'd be a grunt programmer in a giant sea of project managers.

The next thing the world needs is more managers in IT who are just in it for the money. They are always path of least resistance kind of guys, and that leads to poor innovation.