Should I look for another job?

[zCypher]

I've been at my current job nearly a year now. My previous job I held for 2 years. First one was an all-around tech, did on-site work, did website work, 1-on-1 tutoring, supervised/helped (on my own) a class of super-newbs... various stuff like that. Then my current job started at a local computer shop as a technician. I was given fairly decent training (compared to the last comp shop i worked at which didn't really train me at all). I quickly learned how things operated there. I was hired as a technician just above minimum wage. I accepted this without second though since I don't have a degree and I didn't have that much experience behind me. Was a good starting point.

So anyhow - been nearly a year and haven't seen a cent of pay increase, yet I do much, much more than a technician's job. I do every job a computer store can offer. I do sales of parts and systems, I do customer service in person and on the phone. I do servicing of systems as well as building of new systems. I order stock. I take in defective parts/send to RMA. I do start and end of day as well as all the paper work involved for both of these tasks at least 3 days per week (store is open 6). I also often drive from one store to another (there are 3 total) to pick up stock for the store I work for. This can easily take 2 hours due to the heavy traffic that is congesting the roads during those hours. I also deliver parts and systems to customers place of residence quite often.

Basically I at least do the job of the technician, the salesman, the manager, the driver. I don't get paid more for hours worked over 40/week. If I work 100 hours in two weeks I get paid $8 * 100 hours.

Not a rant by any means but just curious to think that, at this point - would you consider looking elsewhere for a job that has better pay and benefits? My benefits basically consist of... nothing. There is a job at a well known institution that I could potentially get, starting at $30-40k/year, but I'm not 100% confident I could get the job given that I don't have a degree.

So... do I keep being overworked/underpaid, look for another job, threaten to quit, demand/request a raise/compensation for doing 5 jobs for 1 pay, or.. what? I doubt I could get much of an increase since the business doesn't do too hot.

And... how much do technicians, or... for the heck of it, how much do managers at a comp store near you make on average?

 

[nan0bug]

Keep your current job and start putting your resume out there. Hint to your superiors that you've got other job offers lined up BUT you haven't jumped on any yet because you're waiting for the right one to come along.. see if they bite the bait. If not, their loss. If they can't compensate you, someone else will.

 

[Banana]

Stay cool--don't rant. Stay at your current job, but look for a better one. If and when you get an offer, your current employer may even try to top it to keep you.

(edit: oops)

 

[Atrail]

Won't hurt to look. If you find something and they want you, tell'em you can start in two weeks.
Given your current situation I would recomend taken a look around, doing some interviews.

 

[Crazymofo]

You're getting screwed!!! I hope that when you drive your own car to these places you record your mileage and get compensated for it?? I believe its illegal to not pay an hourly worker overtime pay, I may be wrong but that sounds really shady!!

You have excellent skills from experience... you should just start applying at other jobs and see if you get them.

 

[Squisher]

Until you find your ultimate dream job, you should never stop looking for a better job.

And, maybe not even then.

 

[Sketcher]

Good recommendations.

However, do NOT start hinting about looking around, other offers or the like until you have one for the taking. In fact, go so far as to obtain an offer letter or form of approval before starting the war dance. Nothing quite like the challenge of having to come up w/a job quick cuz your current employer doesn't feel like playing poker; and if you end up not able to get a job and stuck there after having sung your war cry, your diversified training and desire to move up might not get actualized in a preferable manner.

Become not just good at all the aspects of the job you're doing, but be Great at it. You have an excellent opportunity for a variety of training and experience which will certainly be helpful down the road. You didn't say whether the people were reasonable to work with so I'm going to figure there isn't a huge issue with getting along w/anyone. Man, sounds like a good place to buckle down, survey the opportunity, leverage your broad responsibity and see where it takes you. If you can do it w/out putting the emphasis on money, make the quality of job, responsibility and ownership of the position the image you put forth, the money will come. Though, if you've put in the time (not just learned the skills) and still don't get comp'd financially, then you do have to present yourself to management as undervalued. There are good ways of doing it though which does not put either party on the defensive or feel as if they're betting all their chips on one hand of poker.

*EDIT* BTW, when you hired on, did you ask how the review and raise structure worked? Have you had any reviews to gauge where you've been/where you need to go. A years' time frame is typical for review and raise structures (often w/a three and/or six month review to guide your progress and give you recognition and a feel of where to focus your efforts). So, I'd ask some questions about how it all works, THEN consider whether or not you're in line with both you and your companies expectations. Would also be a good time to iron out your "hours" and any other compensation that you are due for work not within your job description.

I'm not sure what Comp stores pay their employees or what the managers make. I do know that I'm hiring a Jr. Technician this year and have budgeted for up to $18.00hr full time depending on their experience & skill set.

-Sketcher

 

[zCypher]

The problem is that it IS shady. They will buy a sh1tty case to save $1.00. I send an order for a computer with a radeon 9200, they'd send me a radeon 9200se (cheaper pussified version). Stupid crap like that. If they can get away with paying me the minimum they'll do that. They'll overwork less workers instead of hiring more workers.

There is no review/raise structure. The structure is... whatever the boss feels like at the time. My manager told me I should ask for a raise. But we both agree that it's quite unlikely to happen anyway. I've been told numerous times how good a job I do. I've been praised more times than I can count. I know I do a good job and I know I'm valued. This isn't enough for me, as I don't give a rats ass about any of their feelings ,the company or what any of them think. I used to, sort of... but after being threatened to be fired over something quite stupid and in such an unprofessional manner - I'll do my job and I'll do it well but that is all.

 

[Sketcher]

Originally posted by: zCypher
The problem is that it IS shady. They will buy a sh1tty case to save $1.00. I send an order for a computer with a radeon 9200, they'd send me a radeon 9200se (cheaper pussified version). Stupid crap like that. If they can get away with paying me the minimum they'll do that. They'll overwork less workers instead of hiring more workers.

There is no review/raise structure. The structure is... whatever the boss feels like at the time. My manager told me I should ask for a raise. But we both agree that it's quite unlikely to happen anyway. I've been told numerous times how good a job I do. I've been praised more times than I can count. I know I do a good job and I know I'm valued. This isn't enough for me, as I don't give a rats ass about any of their feelings ,the company or what any of them think. I used to, sort of... but after being threatened to be fired over something quite stupid and in such an unprofessional manner - I'll do my job and I'll do it well but that is all.

Well now, if you'd included that in your original post - I'd have simply dittoed the other recommendations. In that respect, not sure why you're unsure of whether you should look around. Of course you should.

 

[zCypher]

Well I'm unsure cause I used to think it was alright due to working conditions. I used to find it was slack in a way cause I considered myself friends with my manager (not much older than myself, 2 years max). We can relate and joke on many things so it's more like working with a friend than with a boss/manager. However, upon being threatened I've come to realize that in an environment where someone who doesn't care about the company places the company above you... yah, I'd rather work for a typical manager and just do my job than have someone I thought I considered a friend who would lose their temper and take it out on me abusing their so called position (I do just as much as him, so "pull this sh1t and you're fired" is ridiculously out of line if you ask me).

I may have an upcoming position at "secur" (the money trucks!) at a possible $18hr but that is a BIG if. But that is also one reason I'm holding on, to see what happens in that case.