bennycx Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Hi, I'm 1.5 years into my first job and would like some advice from older members of the board about quitting a job. What triggered this was the extremely insulting "bonus" that my boss gave ie. a measly $2000. I thought this might be an "indication" to say that I have poor performance, but even when I pressed on he still said "you've done a reasonably good job, but that's all we can afford to give you". Even if that were true, I still do not want to be stuck long term in a team that is not profitable and I feel my growth will be capped if I stayed. Btw other peers similar to me are getting an average of $15000. I suppose at the age of 25 with no obligations and debt, I'm willing to take on the risk of leaving to change job, but maybe older members of the board can give some advice. I also think that if I stick in it for too long, my skills will be too "specialised" and I won't be able to change field. So I was thinking I would give it a maximum of 2 months, after which if I do not have a back up in hand I would just leave. Would it be a good idea? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myth465 Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Humm im about 5 years older, I predict some interesting responses from the older guys. I review payroll for work, and the one thing I can tell you is looking at other peoples salaries will drive you crazy. The main advice I will give is find another job before quitting. Much easier to find a job while you have one... If the market values your skills at more then what your total package is then it should be relatively easy to close the pay gap between yourself and your peers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
writser Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 $2k or $15k isn't be that relevant, imho. Most important question would be whether you actually like what you are doing and what your future prospects are .. But the fact that you already are thinking about leaving one year in makes me guess you are in the wrong place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kraven Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Hi, I'm 1.5 years into my first job and would like some advice from older members of the board about quitting a job. What triggered this was the extremely insulting "bonus" that my boss gave ie. a measly $2000. I thought this might be an "indication" to say that I have poor performance, but even when I pressed on he still said "you've done a reasonably good job, but that's all we can afford to give you". Even if that were true, I still do not want to be stuck long term in a team that is not profitable and I feel my growth will be capped if I stayed. Btw other peers similar to me are getting an average of $15000. I suppose at the age of 25 with no obligations and debt, I'm willing to take on the risk of leaving to change job, but maybe older members of the board can give some advice. I also think that if I stick in it for too long, my skills will be too "specialised" and I won't be able to change field. So I was thinking I would give it a maximum of 2 months, after which if I do not have a back up in hand I would just leave. Would it be a good idea? I assume you are in some kind of job in finance (i.e. at a fund, investment bank, etc.). If not, that could change some things. But assuming you are, here are my thoughts. Money is the yardstick by which all else is measured at these types of jobs. So be honest with yourself. Are the "peers" you refer to doing the same things as you? Are they senior to you, doing more complicated work, etc.? If you are all similarly situated, then yes, getting $2k while the others got $15k is a sign that you are not as well liked there. There could be reasons outside of the actual work. Do you have a rabbi who might be more low key while some of the others have a more in your face rabbi? Try to think of the whole situation holistically. At the end of the day, as I said, money is the yardstick at a job in finance. They did give you something, so it isn't a message to leave most likely, but is a sign that you might be lower on the totem pole. So try to get outside yourself and figure out what the problem is. The answer "I just got shafted" isn't helpful. Maybe you pissed someone off. Maybe they just don't like you. Figure out the reason. You almost certainly can. He did tell you you are doing a "reasonably good job". That is code for you are doing enough to stay but you aren't doing great. So why aren't you? Is your heart not in it? Is it too advanced? Figure it out. Finally, never, never, never leave a job by choice without having a new one in hand. If you decide that this is a slap in your face, then start looking, but don't quit without a new job. In truth, I note some sense of entitlement in your post and I don't mean that to be offensive. You are young. It comes with the territory. But you should think about whether this attitude is coming out at work. More senior guys won't like it especially if you aren't killing it there. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uccmal Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 I agree with Kraven's advice. The job in hand allows you to negotiate into the next job. You can solidify the bonus requirements, if that is part of the equation, in the next interview. Also, if your employer gets wind you have something else coming play hard ball, if they try to get you to stay. That means everything in writing, including the bonus! Above all try to be patient and learn what you can where you are in the interim. Focus on your own development rather than what others are doing. In the meantime, keep investing. I know a guy, who started, right out of community college with an accounting diploma. The small company made flexible hose for all kinds of operations. He would get his accounting work done in a couple of hours, and go down on the floor and learn how to operate the machinery, install the hose, etc. Later on they made him part owner of the company because he knew more than anyone else and they couldn't part with him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Packer16 Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 First, I would find out the reason why as Kraven has said. You also mentioned peers bonus. Do they have the same base as you and are they working in the same firm? Are the circumstances the same so you can make a valid comparison? Are there some aspects of your firm that would prevent them from providing the same bonus as others (lower profits)? In most cases, in my opinion comparing yourself to others creates more trouble than it is worth because situations can be so different. The other question for your first job is do you have an interesting job and are you gaining good experience. Even if you are paid less than others if you are getting better experience it is worth it. Look at what Buffet did with Ben Graham, he worked for peanuts to get the experience of working with Ben Graham. This may also be an issue of expectations. Have you exceeded expectations laid out by your boss over the past year? If these have not been laid out with some quantitative criteria then I would ask for such so you can get some feedback. Packer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VAL9000 Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 My view is that if you are surprised about your bonus, then you have a relationship problem with your manager. If peers are being paid more in a similar role, then you are underperforming. If you are surprised about your underperformance, then it hasn't been communicated sufficiently throughout the year. Some managers are not good at communicating this, but they aren't going to be punished - it will be you. The onus is on you to improve your relationship with your manager. You must seek criticism, make improvements, and iterate. And don't be annoying about it. A good start is: Hi manager, I'm disappointed in my bonus for 2013. Can we discuss specific objectives or improvements I can make to maximize my value to the firm in 2014? Can you also clarify for me what my total potential bonus may be if I meet or exceed your expectations? If you don't do this face-to-face then you're doing it wrong. Respect is earned. If you just leave you will never learn how to earn the respect of your peers, your management, or your subordinates. Also to address Kraven's point about entitlement.... You're 25. You don't know shit about your business. Sorry that's tough love but keep it in mind with respect to how you approach your employment. It's a very long game and the only way to scale up your earnings is to constantly learn and apply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kraven Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 I should add that I assumed that when you referred to peers that you meant people you work with. If you did mean people at other similar firms then it may just mean as Packer said that it could be a financial issue and they just can't pay as much. I still don't love the "reasonably good job" part. That isn't a ringing endorsement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onyx1 Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Above all try to be patient and learn what you can where you are in the interim. Focus on your own development rather than what others are doing. In the meantime, keep investing. I know a guy, who started, right out of community college with an accounting diploma. The small company made flexible hose for all kinds of operations. He would get his accounting work done in a couple of hours, and go down on the floor and learn how to operate the machinery, install the hose, etc. Later on they made him part owner of the company because he knew more than anyone else and they couldn't part with him. Spot on. Attitude is everything. The key to working for others is to cheerfully make yourself indispensable to as many people as you can. This attitude works wonders for your compensation and future prospects. Do the work others are unwilling to do. Pay attention to details. When asked to do something, follow-up later the same day and let your boss know that you have made progress and give a specific date/time when you will finish the assignment. Do this even if you believe the project is worthless or a waste of time. Respect his authority, and just do it. Be humble, quickly admit when you are wrong, and never make excuses. Your reputation will grow and so will your leverage. People will take you seriously when you tell them you want to earn more or take more responsibility, and you will be presented with other opportunities inside and outside your firm. Most people in your age range feel underpaid, so you are not alone. If you are legitimately underpaid (not just whining), you are probably doing good work. Recognize that in the future you will likely be overpaid. Compensation is never neat and tidy so don't let it distract you from your key goal which is to gain a reputation for effectiveness. At 25, you have lots of time. I took me years to understand these concepts and I made some bad mistakes along the way, but applying the above and a little luck allowed me to walk away from formal employment at 48 with more money than I will ever need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bennycx Posted January 18, 2014 Author Share Posted January 18, 2014 I should add that I assumed that when you referred to peers that you meant people you work with. If you did mean people at other similar firms then it may just mean as Packer said that it could be a financial issue and they just can't pay as much. I still don't love the "reasonably good job" part. That isn't a ringing endorsement. I meant people at other teams in the same firm. My colleagues all had very low bonuses so part of the reason is definitely because the business is not making money. It is just that I am penalised so much worse. Also the "star" performer of the team also got very low compared to other similar ranked person in other teams. I know it sounds like I am a little arrogant.. but isn't it much better to get into an easier business now that I am young than slog it out to become like the star indispensible member of the team but still get paid very very low. Also I don't envision myself doing this for the long term. I ended up here due to certain unforeseen circumstances. The team that I was meant to join didn't have headcount from senior management so I was pushed here to do some work. I would say if I exceed all expectations then my total bonus can probably only go up to $10,000 (still lower than the average) Basically there is a rating / feedback system. I got a 3 out of 5 (60% of the firm gets 3, ¬20% gets 2, 10% gets 1 and 4, and 5's get fired) .. people who get 3 range from my bonus to $35,000. I know it is easy to attribute this to that I'm at the "lower end of the 3", but this amount is still very unjustified and if I don't change now I will be stuck in a lousy business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Packer16 Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 I think the bigger picture is the skill/attitude of becoming a star indespensible player. Develop that where you are at and become known for that attitude and other folks in that firm or at other places will notice. It is similar to the story about Joseph in the Bible. He was put in a worse situation, a slave, did the right thing and was rewarded. Management of most firms know who are the star players they want to have on their teams and if you can develop skill you be ahead no matter what happens. Packer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kraven Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Above all try to be patient and learn what you can where you are in the interim. Focus on your own development rather than what others are doing. In the meantime, keep investing. I know a guy, who started, right out of community college with an accounting diploma. The small company made flexible hose for all kinds of operations. He would get his accounting work done in a couple of hours, and go down on the floor and learn how to operate the machinery, install the hose, etc. Later on they made him part owner of the company because he knew more than anyone else and they couldn't part with him. Spot on. Attitude is everything. The key to working for others is to cheerfully make yourself indispensable to as many people as you can. This attitude works wonders for your compensation and future prospects. Do the work others are unwilling to do. Pay attention to details. When asked to do something, follow-up later the same day and let your boss know that you have made progress and give a specific date/time when you will finish the assignment. Do this even if you believe the project is worthless or a waste of time. Respect his authority, and just do it. Be humble, quickly admit when you are wrong, and never make excuses. Your reputation will grow and so will your leverage. People will take you seriously when you tell them you want to earn more or take more responsibility, and you will be presented with other opportunities inside and outside your firm. Most people in your age range feel underpaid, so you are not alone. If you are legitimately underpaid (not just whining), you are probably doing good work. Recognize that in the future you will likely be overpaid. Compensation is never neat and tidy so don't let it distract you from your key goal which is to gain a reputation for effectiveness. At 25, you have lots of time. I took me years to understand these concepts and I made some bad mistakes along the way, but applying the above and a little luck allowed me to walk away from formal employment at 48 with more money than I will ever need. +1 for both what Onyx and Uccmal said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippy1 Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 It sounds like you are in a group that collectively does not get a big pot of bonus. In some companies, the bonus are not evenly distributed across different groups. The groups that make most money will get lion share of bonus. Now the ranking is typically done within each group. And the "pot" of the bonus aloocated to this particular group is then divided by people in the group. The real problem seems to me is that you are not in the top 10% or top 20% people in your group. Typically, these are the people that will get good bonus. The middle 50%-60% people typically are considered highly replaceable if they choose to resign. So I think you want to make sure you become a member of top 10%-20% group. It seems to me that there are 2 things that you can do. You can improve your ranking within your present group. Or you can try to transfer to a more profitable group within the same company and try your luck there. Of course, in the new group, where you do rank is a different question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kraven Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 I should add that I assumed that when you referred to peers that you meant people you work with. If you did mean people at other similar firms then it may just mean as Packer said that it could be a financial issue and they just can't pay as much. I still don't love the "reasonably good job" part. That isn't a ringing endorsement. I meant people at other teams in the same firm. My colleagues all had very low bonuses so part of the reason is definitely because the business is not making money. It is just that I am penalised so much worse. Also the "star" performer of the team also got very low compared to other similar ranked person in other teams. I know it sounds like I am a little arrogant.. but isn't it much better to get into an easier business now that I am young than slog it out to become like the star indispensible member of the team but still get paid very very low. Also I don't envision myself doing this for the long term. I ended up here due to certain unforeseen circumstances. The team that I was meant to join didn't have headcount from senior management so I was pushed here to do some work. I would say if I exceed all expectations then my total bonus can probably only go up to $10,000 (still lower than the average) Basically there is a rating / feedback system. I got a 3 out of 5 (60% of the firm gets 3, ¬20% gets 2, 10% gets 1 and 4, and 5's get fired) .. people who get 3 range from my bonus to $35,000. I know it is easy to attribute this to that I'm at the "lower end of the 3", but this amount is still very unjustified and if I don't change now I will be stuck in a lousy business. I think while you are there follow the advice the others gave and do the best you can, become indispensable, etc. But your reasons for not wanting to stay in your current seat sound fine to me. So the simple answer is to just start looking. Whether that means hooking up with a headhunter or something else, there is no time like the present to get started. Once you have a position in hand, if you would consider staying at your current firm if you were on another team, then you can go to the powers that be and say you want to move internally and you have another bird in the hand if not. Like Onyx, I took years to learn some of the concepts he set out. I wish I could go back and shake some sense into my younger self. Young people always want to start at the CEO level. Always in a hurry. There is always a sense that if you do such and such for a while then you'll fall behind or waste those years. It couldn't be further from the truth. Learn as much as you can and help as many people as you can while you're there. Then when the time is right and the opportunity presents itself move on, but be gracious and respectful. Don't burn bridges on the way out. Praise your colleagues and bosses even if you don't mean a word of it. Try to stay in touch and don't knock your old place once gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjangal Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Above all try to be patient and learn what you can where you are in the interim. Focus on your own development rather than what others are doing. In the meantime, keep investing. I know a guy, who started, right out of community college with an accounting diploma. The small company made flexible hose for all kinds of operations. He would get his accounting work done in a couple of hours, and go down on the floor and learn how to operate the machinery, install the hose, etc. Later on they made him part owner of the company because he knew more than anyone else and they couldn't part with him. Spot on. Attitude is everything. The key to working for others is to cheerfully make yourself indispensable to as many people as you can. This attitude works wonders for your compensation and future prospects. Do the work others are unwilling to do. Pay attention to details. When asked to do something, follow-up later the same day and let your boss know that you have made progress and give a specific date/time when you will finish the assignment. Do this even if you believe the project is worthless or a waste of time. Respect his authority, and just do it. Be humble, quickly admit when you are wrong, and never make excuses. Your reputation will grow and so will your leverage. People will take you seriously when you tell them you want to earn more or take more responsibility, and you will be presented with other opportunities inside and outside your firm. Most people in your age range feel underpaid, so you are not alone. If you are legitimately underpaid (not just whining), you are probably doing good work. Recognize that in the future you will likely be overpaid. Compensation is never neat and tidy so don't let it distract you from your key goal which is to gain a reputation for effectiveness. At 25, you have lots of time. I took me years to understand these concepts and I made some bad mistakes along the way, but applying the above and a little luck allowed me to walk away from formal employment at 48 with more money than I will ever need. +1. This is great career advice in this season of reviews and bonuses. Thank you onyx, uccmal , kraven and packer I am bit older than benny and have seen this work the same way so far. The senior people who like you and think you are capable are the ones that are going to give you the next opportunity. Succeeding ( whatever your criteria is) is always about both talent and opportunity. You may be talented but if no one gives you the opportunity , its harder to achieve what you want. Being likable and effective (as onyx describes above ) gives you those chances in life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepupil Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Is the reason your group is not doing as well cyclical or structural? You want to your group to do well (in terms of a cycle) when you are more senior and are receiving a greater percentage of the plunder. So if you like what you do, I would focus on doing your best and becoming a 1. If your group does better in a few years, the money will take care of itself. If you don't enjoy what you do, focus on doing a good job, becoming a 1, and then moving on with a good reputation and something else in hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muscleman Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 I should add that I assumed that when you referred to peers that you meant people you work with. If you did mean people at other similar firms then it may just mean as Packer said that it could be a financial issue and they just can't pay as much. I still don't love the "reasonably good job" part. That isn't a ringing endorsement. I meant people at other teams in the same firm. My colleagues all had very low bonuses so part of the reason is definitely because the business is not making money. It is just that I am penalised so much worse. Also the "star" performer of the team also got very low compared to other similar ranked person in other teams. I know it sounds like I am a little arrogant.. but isn't it much better to get into an easier business now that I am young than slog it out to become like the star indispensible member of the team but still get paid very very low. Also I don't envision myself doing this for the long term. I ended up here due to certain unforeseen circumstances. The team that I was meant to join didn't have headcount from senior management so I was pushed here to do some work. I would say if I exceed all expectations then my total bonus can probably only go up to $10,000 (still lower than the average) Basically there is a rating / feedback system. I got a 3 out of 5 (60% of the firm gets 3, ¬20% gets 2, 10% gets 1 and 4, and 5's get fired) .. people who get 3 range from my bonus to $35,000. I know it is easy to attribute this to that I'm at the "lower end of the 3", but this amount is still very unjustified and if I don't change now I will be stuck in a lousy business. Are you in Microsoft? The review systems sounds like Microsoft. I worked there for nearly five years, got an insulting bonus last year, and I felt so pissed that I left in 2 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bennycx Posted January 18, 2014 Author Share Posted January 18, 2014 I should add that I assumed that when you referred to peers that you meant people you work with. If you did mean people at other similar firms then it may just mean as Packer said that it could be a financial issue and they just can't pay as much. I still don't love the "reasonably good job" part. That isn't a ringing endorsement. I meant people at other teams in the same firm. My colleagues all had very low bonuses so part of the reason is definitely because the business is not making money. It is just that I am penalised so much worse. Also the "star" performer of the team also got very low compared to other similar ranked person in other teams. I know it sounds like I am a little arrogant.. but isn't it much better to get into an easier business now that I am young than slog it out to become like the star indispensible member of the team but still get paid very very low. Also I don't envision myself doing this for the long term. I ended up here due to certain unforeseen circumstances. The team that I was meant to join didn't have headcount from senior management so I was pushed here to do some work. I would say if I exceed all expectations then my total bonus can probably only go up to $10,000 (still lower than the average) Basically there is a rating / feedback system. I got a 3 out of 5 (60% of the firm gets 3, ¬20% gets 2, 10% gets 1 and 4, and 5's get fired) .. people who get 3 range from my bonus to $35,000. I know it is easy to attribute this to that I'm at the "lower end of the 3", but this amount is still very unjustified and if I don't change now I will be stuck in a lousy business. Are you in Microsoft? The review systems sounds like Microsoft. I worked there for nearly five years, got an insulting bonus last year, and I felt so pissed that I left in 2 months. Nope not Microsoft, but that's what I am kinda feeling right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharperDingaan Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 You might what to take a powder. You were told "we don't want you". Maybe because we want another guy, & need you gone to free up head-count. You were told "you are our insurance policy". The biz is underperforming, there will be cuts, & they will go by bonus level. You are being driven to walk, & so far - are performing right on plan ... So ... Obviously you hedge your bets - & discreetly look elsewhere; your employer will know, but will not act against you. Stay & network the other desks. It costs to exit a bad trade, & your desk is either going to pay it to your new desk, or you directly; via a payout. To your new desk you're just a trade, they get maximum gain if you have just turned down a very recent outside offer - & you have demonstrated that you know the game. Then accept the next offer, remove the liability, & take your new rabbi for a beer. The rabbi will not hold it against you - & will probably thank you for the head count room; which he can now justify filling with his choice, at your new salary & bonus level! Don't take it personal, it's just business. SD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtreeq Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 As a practical matter, channel the negative emotions you have towards your job/boss/coworkers towards a discrete goal that helps you grow and learn and get those better opportunities you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottHall Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Hi Benny, So, I'm not one of the older, more experienced folks around here - I'm actually a couple of years younger than you - but I have some thoughts that I thought I'd share anyway. I'll put it as succinctly as possible. At 25, you're very young, and if salary is a motivating factor for you at this point, you're probably handling your career in a manner that won't benefit you the most over the long run. You might want to consider working where your learning opportunities are the greatest, doing what you love, and focusing on developing mental models that you will be able to use throughout your life. Do you remember when Warren Buffett offered to work for Ben Graham for free? Why do you think he did that? Certainly, money wasn't the direct motivating factor there, as he wouldn't have been paid anything. He did it because Ben Graham was the best in the world at what he did at the time, and Buffett wanted to learn from the master because he thought that in the long run he would be better off for it than he would working for money at a certain securities brokerage in Omaha. As far as we know, you have just one life to live, and every day that you're not doing something that you're intrinsically motivated to do, that's a day that you will never get back. By focusing so much on extrinsic motivation, I can't help but think you could be cheating yourself out of one of life's greatest pleasures: doing work you love with the people you love to do that work with. Personally, I am open to working for free for any person or organization whose mission I respect and who I think I could learn a lot from, because I love to learn. If I was in your shoes, I would think about what my intrinsic motivation was, and focus on finding something that enables that motivation to be fulfilled. You're welcome to take or leave my advice as you will, but I have found looking at life through this lens to be more satisfying than any other I have looked at it through so far. I wish you all the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffett_Groupie Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Benny: The advice given is excellent. I wish my teenage kids can be as open-minded as you to seek advice from this board. If you look for fairness, be your own boss :). Only then will you learn to appreciate the beauty of a steady pay-cheque, paid vacation and benefits! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bz1516 Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 I agree with a lot of the advice already given. What I tell my own kids is to remember a career is a marathon, not a sprint. You want to avoid making any mistakes that can hurt you early in your career. In some cases you may not be able to get back on track. Never make a career move of any kind out of emotion. Not every potential boss that might hire you is going to be under 40. Some older people might not like someone who hops around. Remember if leave at 1.5 years and your next job for any reason doesn't last very long it will count against you when you look for your third job. That's why I would wait until at least 2 years to leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bennycx Posted January 19, 2014 Author Share Posted January 19, 2014 Okay, following the advice of the board, I have decided to stay for a maximum of 3 more months unless I found a new job in between otherwise I would leave. The reason for this is: - I'm working overseas now and my rent expires in 4 months & tax free benefit is maximised at 3 months. I gain full income tax benefit and don't have to pay that much rent which is significant - I want to go home anyway so I wouldn't need to renew rent when it expires in 4 months. I do not want to be locked up in rent for another year working overseas - I would have 1 y 10 months of experience which I think may be sufficient to find a job in my home country Is this reasonable then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muscleman Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 I should add that I assumed that when you referred to peers that you meant people you work with. If you did mean people at other similar firms then it may just mean as Packer said that it could be a financial issue and they just can't pay as much. I still don't love the "reasonably good job" part. That isn't a ringing endorsement. I meant people at other teams in the same firm. My colleagues all had very low bonuses so part of the reason is definitely because the business is not making money. It is just that I am penalised so much worse. Also the "star" performer of the team also got very low compared to other similar ranked person in other teams. I know it sounds like I am a little arrogant.. but isn't it much better to get into an easier business now that I am young than slog it out to become like the star indispensible member of the team but still get paid very very low. Also I don't envision myself doing this for the long term. I ended up here due to certain unforeseen circumstances. The team that I was meant to join didn't have headcount from senior management so I was pushed here to do some work. I would say if I exceed all expectations then my total bonus can probably only go up to $10,000 (still lower than the average) Basically there is a rating / feedback system. I got a 3 out of 5 (60% of the firm gets 3, ¬20% gets 2, 10% gets 1 and 4, and 5's get fired) .. people who get 3 range from my bonus to $35,000. I know it is easy to attribute this to that I'm at the "lower end of the 3", but this amount is still very unjustified and if I don't change now I will be stuck in a lousy business. Are you in Microsoft? The review systems sounds like Microsoft. I worked there for nearly five years, got an insulting bonus last year, and I felt so pissed that I left in 2 months. Nope not Microsoft, but that's what I am kinda feeling right now. Don't spend any more time to complain dude. Just keep your heads down, and prepare for the interviews! Smile to your boss, but say "f*ck you" in your heart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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