Job and Salary Check

[paymemore]

2 months. recent civil servant bonus was additional 3 months. but these are already divided and included in your monthly salary.

[Nimbus]

Hi all, I am working as a Network Engineer with 2.6K as a start. Responsibilities include Project Implementation and Service Management. We do standby for one week per month but still can go home as normal, just that have to answer hotline when customer's equipment needs urgent replacement.

I am okay with the pay because of the lack of experience. Environment is good and people are friendly. But my colleagues said we are considered underpaid for the amount of work we do. So I would like to hear the views of other network engr in this case.

[cslee]

Originally Posted by Nimbus

Hi all, I am working as a Network Engineer with 2.6K as a start. Responsibilities include Project Implementation and Service Management. We do standby for one week per month but still can go home as normal, just that have to answer hotline when customer's equipment needs urgent replacement.

I am okay with the pay because of the lack of experience. Environment is good and people are friendly. But my colleagues said we are considered underpaid for the amount of work we do. So I would like to hear the views of other network engr in this case.

Good for you. I think you've bright prospects ahead. In fact, most fresh IT grads do not even possess a single IT certification and you've already started ahead. Just keep learning and enjoy it.

[Nimbus]

After working a year for the company, I have learned tones of stuffs. Got a good ranking and increment but still <3K without OT. Able to do firewall, load balancer, WAN optimization, proxy and etc. Done couple of projects so far. I'm happy to learn all these within that short period. But the pay factor is affecting my team's morale (im not the leader).

Within the period of my employment, I have seen 4 team members left due to pay and the reason is mainly pay. These people got at least 50% to 100% increment in their new job after working 2-3 years. Without them, I became the second senior in my team. Rest of them have <1yr experience. We feel lost at times without the seniors.

How I interpret this is that my company (HR) is not paying people high enough to keep people. To them, we can be replaced by any new graduate. They do not think of the skill set lost when senior engineer left.

I plan to continue for another year before changing job. But will start looking out for offer as well. With the skills I have, how much should I fight for my next job? 50%?

yes you are underpaid. I think you should start looking for a new job now. Resign after you accept a new offer. I won't ask a new employer for a 50% pay increment. That will raise eyebrows. Ask for 30% instead. Good luck!

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

yes you are underpaid. I think you should start looking for a new job now. Resign after you accept a new offer. I won't ask a new employer for a 50% pay increment. That will raise eyebrows. Ask for 30% instead. Good luck!

Thanks for the response. Do you happen to know what is the market rate for this kind of skill set?

Hi

You can apply to A*CRC.

Career Opportunities At A*STAR

Hi TS,

If you are looking to jump ship, consider what are the things that you want in the next employment and your career path. To get a even higher pay (monthly basic), you will have to join another SI or the gov. Maybe you will like to look at the overall package instead (variable, commission etc).

As to whether you are underpaid or not - if purely base on certification, I will say that you are underpaid. During interviews, be expected to be tested on your technical knowledge base on what you have stated in your resume (eg. CCNP level, firewall and loadbalancer type of question). Your ability to prove yourself during interviews can elevate you over other candidates and may even give you more "bargaining" ground in terms of salary.

Hope this helps and all the best in the future.