Not happy in your job...want more money
Generally speaking, we have a disgruntled and unsettled workforce with a high percentage stating that they are unhappy with their current job.
Employers are often blamed! However, this may be unfair to many companies that invest huge amounts annually in maintaining their retention targets. The employee and employer relationship is similar to a marriage with both parties needing to take responsibility to grow the relationship.
Open communication between all parties is critical. The modern workplace now has a much flatter management structure that facilitates easy interaction and dialogue. If you have issues, talk to your management team.
Objective self-examination is important to identify the real source of your dissatisfaction:
- Perhaps the culture of the company does not match your values
- It may be a small business that does not have clear career progression pathways
- It could be in a declining sector and under-resourced
- It could be a very large organisation that is impersonal simply due to its size
Whatever the source of your frustration you need to be brutally honest with yourself so that you do not repeat these issues, and that you have the knowledge to implement steps to address them (sooner rather than later).
Being underpaid is a no-win situation for either party. Astute employers understand this and will regularly review each employee’s package. If your company is tardy in this aspect, it is your responsibility to talk to them about it.
Do your research and identify your “true value to the market”. Print copies of your research to validate your position. Companies will not give you a “raise” simply because you have bought a new house with a bigger mortgage.
The repeated theme of this article is not about job satisfaction and money, but rather workplace communication. Too often people silently grumble about their boss, their job, their pay, their benefits, their colleagues, and on it goes.
A vital component of career development for any level of employee is having good “soft skills”. Soft skills are learned skills so if you have trouble communicating your concerns engage a career coach to assist you.
"If you have a job without any aggravations, you don't have a job." -Malcolm S. Forbes
ACMA creates successful career paths through detailed individual assessment, research and job market analysis, combined with expert personalised coaching.
Note: A Career Development Association of Australia research paper found that when professional career guidance occurred that the participant was 2.67 times more likely to secure a job.
All program services can be delivered via our interactive online cloud-based career management "Career Talk" system and/or "one-on-one" in our Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne, Cairns or Auckland offices.
