Employers Offering New Hire $11k more than I Make for My Position?
I currently make $27k and am essentially on call 24/7. I work in the travel industry, and I’ve developed significantly since I started. I manage client accounts, handle travel arrangements, and have specialized knowledge of our group/tour business that I’ve spent years developing.
The new owners have previously discussed increasing our salaries, giving us a portion of the commissions we generate, or giving us a portion of the revenue from the tour groups we put together. None of those conversations have gone anywhere or resulted in any changes.
Recently, a new employee no-called/no-showed for an entire week and was let go. My boss reposted the position (which is essentially the same position I currently hold) for $38k–$50k.
I make $27k.
I genuinely don't know how to process that. A potential new hire could walk into essentially my position making up to $23k more than I currently make, despite me having over two years of experience with the company and extensive knowledge of our systems, clients, and group business.
I know I'm not perfect and I don't think I'm irreplaceable, but I do believe I bring significant value to this company and have taken on responsibilities well beyond what I was doing when I started.
What would you do in my position? Would you use this job posting as leverage to negotiate a significant raise, or would you take it as a sign that it's time to start looking elsewhere?
Part of me feels guilty about leaving because I've invested so much time here and have built relationships with clients, but another part of me feels like I can't justify staying at $27k when the company itself is advertising my position at $38k–$50k.
27F if that is relevant.
Jobadvisor
How to Evaluate the Situation
- Your loyalty is not being reciprocated: You have spent two years building specialized knowledge, managing key accounts, and being available around the clock. The company has acknowledged salary adjustments and commission splits in theory, but ignored them in practice.
- The market has moved, but you haven't: The job posting proves the owners know $27k is no longer a viable rate to recruit someone for your workload. They are paying market rates to attract new talent while relying on your loyalty to keep your pay low.
- 24/7 availability at $27k is exploitation: $27k breaks down to roughly $13/hour on a standard 40-hour week. Factor in 24/7 on-call duties in the travel industry, and your effective hourly rate is far below standard market compensation.
Recommended Action Plan
- Quietly start looking elsewhere first: Before you bring this up to management, update your resume and start applying. Having external options gives you real leverage and a safety net so you don't feel desperate during internal talks.
- Document your value: List the specific client accounts you manage, the tour/group systems you running, and how your responsibilities have expanded over the last two years.
- Schedule a formal compensation review: Frame the conversation professionally using the company's own data.
How to Structure the Raise Conversation
"I love working with our clients and I'm proud of how much our group and tour operations have grown over the last two years. However, I noticed the recent job posting for our team listed a starting range of $38k to $50k.Given my two years of experience here, my deep understanding of our accounts, and the fact that I'm managing these exact responsibilities full-time while on call, I'd like to adjust my salary to match this market rate at $42k [or your target figure within their posted range]."
Potential Outcomes & Next Steps
- If they agree immediately: Get the new salary figure and effective start date in writing.
- If they stall or offer a minimal bump (e.g., bringing you to $30k): Thank them for the offer, but do not settle. This confirms they view your historical low rate as an anchor rather than compensating you fairly. Shift your full focus to landing an external offer.
- If they push back aggressively: It signals a toxic dynamic where your growth will always be capped. Walk away guilt-free knowing you gave them the chance to match their own posted rates.
How do corporate folks cope with the dull, meaningless drudgery of a corporate career?
I'm 34 years old and have been working in corporate healthcare administration for about 6 years now. I feel like I'm nearing the end of my rope. I used to be such a lively, passionate, driven person and I barely recognize the shell of a human I am now.
I feel so whiny for feeling this way because I have a relatively stable position with a 6 figure income, I've been promoted twice in my 6 years with the company, I work remote, and my workload is completely manageable. I'm able to log off by 5:00pm about 98% of the workdays a year and I honestly rarely have even close to a full, door-to-door 8 hours of work to do a day.
What's starting to kill me (or maybe what already has) is the exhaustion of trying to "fake it" while slogging on through the robotic monotony. My corporate world is fake. Everything is "urgent" and it feels absolutely pathetic to play along and act like it's real when there are no tangible real-life consequences to my powerpoint deck being late. My team is meant to do a lot of strategic planning and implementation and I can't help but to feel that our entire purpose is to be a bunch of annoying busybodies who buzz around, make up problems, and insert ourselves to make up solutions. When I sit in on team meetings where people are having active discussions and trying to collaboratively problem solve, I feel like an insane person that a single person in the room cares enough to engage in the conversation at all. And that is so not me!!! I love being engaged and passionate; I want to work hard and have a career that I actually give a part of myself to. I'm not someone who wants work to "just be a paycheck" for me.
I've started completely numbing myself during the day to get by. I blankly stare at my phone watching more Reels than a person should be able to; I play more repetitive rounds of Fortnite than is healthy, and I have a constant stream of Real Housewives on in the background. By the time my day ends, I have no energy to socialize, no energy to date, barely enough energy to get myself to the gym and home and get some food in my system. I miss my joie de vivre and my spirit and I want to spend some more time tending to those aspects of my life, but I start and end my day feeling like I've lost myself so substantially throughout my day that I just don't have it in me anymore.
Ultimately, I'm trying to make a career change and go into the nursing field. I'd much rather be engaged in harder work if it means being in person, interacting with real people and tending to actual problems that have legitimate impact.
My question to you all is - How do you do it? How do you keep sane while living as a shell of your true self in the corporate world? Even if I do make a career shift into nursing, it won't start until at least Summer 2027. I'm so desperate for anything that can keep me sane and help me get my spirit back in the meantime.
Jobadvisor
Shift Your Psychological Stance
- Treat work as an actor's role, not your identity: Think of your job as a paid acting gig where you play "Engaged Healthcare Administrator." When 5:00 PM hits, the curtain falls, the costume comes off, and you step back into your actual life.
- Stop fighting the absurdity: When someone treats a minor slide formatting issue like a crisis, stop getting angry or bewildered. Observe it with quiet detachment, like a scientist studying an isolated culture with weird rituals.
- Give up on finding meaning at work for now: Trying to wring personal fulfillment out of a bureaucracy that inherently lacks it will exhaust you every time. Accept that this job is simply funding your transition into nursing.
Reclaim Your Daytime Energy
- Ditch passive numbing during work hours: Replace the infinite scroll with active, low-stakes stimulation during downtime. Listen to audiobooks, work through nursing prerequisites, study human anatomy, or listen to healthcare podcasts.
- Implement "micro-doses" of reality: Because your work feels abstract and fake, your brain craves physical, tangible reality. Step outside for 10 minutes, do quick mobility stretches, water plants, or cook a real lunch. Physical actions ground you back in the real world.
- Exploit your manageable workload: If you only have 3–4 hours of actual work a day, execute those hours with intense efficiency, then explicitly block off the remaining time for your nursing transition (prerequisite research, saving funds, shadow prep).
Build "Pre-Nursing" Momentum
| Focus Area | Actionable Survival Step |
| Prerequisites & Admin | Use your downtime to knock out online prerequisites, get transcripts organized, and map out application deadlines. |
| Exposure to the Field | Volunteer at a local clinic or hospital for 2–3 hours on a weekend, or shadow a nurse. Being around actual patients with tangible needs will immediately remind you why you're making this switch. |
| Physical Prep | Nursing is physically demanding. Shift your gym focus toward stamina, functional strength, and mobility so you feel physically capable and grounded. |
Protecting Your Evenings
- Create an explicit transition ritual: Do not go straight from your desk to the couch. The second you log off at 5:00 PM, change out of your work clothes, wash your face, walk around the block for 15 minutes, or leave the house immediately for the gym. You need a clear physical boundary between "corporate actor" and "real human."
- Schedule social commitments like appointments: When you rely on energy levels to decide whether to go out or socialize, you will choose the couch every time. Commit to low-key social plans in advance so you don't have to make a decision in the moment.
Is it okay to say no to a job after saying yes?
After job hunting for over 8 months, I finally got a job offer, and a very good one at that (good salary, above average PTO, fulltime at 38h a week, seemingly nice colleagues).
However, today I also had the 2nd round of interviews with my dream organisation, that would fit my specific profile and interests, that are very niche and it's one of the few organisations in my city which have said profile.
I got the job offer with the first company yesterday after my interview on the day before yesterday, so extremely quick. I told them, that I still had an interview today, and that I would first like to hear what they have to say. They told me to message them today and tell them my choice.
Come today, and of course my dream organisation hasn't made a decision on the spot, but I told them, that I have another offer and asked them, when they think they'll make a decision. They told me during next week, so I asked the first company if I could have a bit more time, they only gave me until tomorrow.
My plan now is to accept the offer tomorrow, as I can't know for certain if I will get the position at my dream organisation. I asked my parents and friends about what I should do, if I will still get an offer from my dream organisation next week and they told me to simply decline the offer with the first company.
I know logically, that it is probably the best course of action, and that I don't owe them anything, but still I feel extremely bad if it were to come to that and worry about like future consequences, if I were to want to apply there again etc.
What would you guys advise me to do in my situation? Just accept the first offer, and decline the other one, if it were to come to that? Or follow my parents and friends's advice and accept, then later decline the offer?
Jobadvisor
Understanding the Reality of "Reneging"
- Companies act in their own self-interest: The first company gave you a aggressive 24-48 hour deadline to pressure you into accepting so they wouldn't lose you to a competitor. That is a business tactic, not a personal favor.
- You must act in your own self-interest: You spent 8 months job hunting. Walking away from a sure offer without a signed backup would be a massive financial and career risk.
- The consequences are isolated: Reneging will likely mean Company A will not consider you for future roles, and the hiring manager or recruiter may be temporarily frustrated. However, this impact stays isolated to that specific organization—it does not follow you on a permanent record or ruin your general reputation in the industry.
Step-by-Step Playbook for Your Next Week
"I remain extremely enthusiastic about the [Role Title] position with [Company B]. I wanted to share that I have a pressing offer deadline from another firm, but [Company B] remains my absolute top choice given my niche alignment with your mission. If there is any update on the timeline, I would love to know!"
How to Professionalize the Breakup with Company A
"Dear [Hiring Manager],I am writing to sincerely apologize, but after further reflection and an unexpected turn of events regarding a niche opportunity I had previously interviewed for, I must withdraw my acceptance for the [Job Title] role.I understand this creates an inconvenience for your team, especially after your quick turnaround, and I deeply regret the timing. I am extremely grateful for your time and the confidence you showed in offering me the position, and I wish the team all the best."
The Verdict
What job/career is stable and won't leave me struggling to find a job in the current and future job market?
Right now, all I have been seeing are people getting laid off from their jobs and then struggling even more by not being able to find a job in this job market. As a student pursuing college, I don't want to spend the next 4 years of schooling to not find a stable job. Even with fields like engineering, I am seeing people struggling to find a job.
I don't really want to pursue healthcare and trades, even though it's probably faster to get a job in those fields and those fields are always needed. So what should I do?
Jobadvisor
High-Stability Career Paths
| Career Field | Target Roles | Why It Is Unusually Stable & Safe |
| Accounting, Audit & Risk | Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Internal Auditor, Risk Manager | Regulated by Law: Public companies, non-profits, and governments are legally required to perform annual audits. AI can pull data, but a human CPA must sign off and take legal liability for financial accuracy. |
| Cybersecurity & Cloud Defense | InfoSec Analyst, Cloud Security Engineer, Compliance Analyst | Non-Negotiable Cost: Companies cut marketing or product dev during recessions, but cutting security leads to ransomware and breaches. Geopolitical tensions and regulations force steady hiring. |
| Civil & Environmental Engineering | Structural Engineer, Environmental Compliance, Water Resources | Physical Infrastructure: While tech software engineers struggle with oversaturation, Civil Engineers work on roads, bridges, water treatment, and public works funded by long-term government infrastructure budgets. |
| Supply Chain & Logistics Management | Operations Manager, Procurement Lead, Supply Chain Analyst | Physical Reality: Moving real goods from factories to store shelves requires real-time crisis management (port delays, severe weather, vendor failures). It is inherently recession-resilient. |
Why Engineering & Tech Are Struggling (And How to Avoid the Pitfall)
- Instead of general Software Engineering, specialize in Cybersecurity Compliance, Cloud Infrastructure, or Embedded Systems.
- Instead of general Finance, specialize in Auditing, Forensic Accounting, or Regulatory Compliance.
How to Guarantee Job Placement Before You Graduate
- Prioritize Co-ops & Paid Internships over GPA: Companies use internship programs as their primary pipeline for full-time entry-level hires. A student with a 3.2 GPA and two solid summer internships will beat a 4.0 student with zero workplace experience every single time.
- Target Recession-Proof Employers: Look for internships with utility companies, state/federal government agencies, defense contractors, insurance institutions, and public infrastructure firms rather than high-growth startups or volatile tech firms.
- Obtain Industry Certifications Early: In fields like accounting (CPA track) or cybersecurity (CompTIA Security+, CISSP track), certifications act as objective proof of skills that bypass automated resume screeners.
Had a nervous breakdown and left work early, have to attend a disciplinary hearing in regards to this absence - What are my options?
Hey everyone,
I work a crap retail job in a very busy and understaffed store. We often have to function on weekends with less than 3 staff members for the whole night, even with weekend traffic. I was particularly frustrated one day as I was made to man 7 self checkout tills and my own manual lane simultaneously for 4.5h straight without a break. It was so busy we had lines up the aisle. I was finally allowed my break eventually and by then I was in shambles. Instead of getting into a workplace incident with the staff (its not their fault upper management refuses to hire more staff) I left. I 100% stand by what I did because mentally I was unfit to work. I think what I did instead of the alternative was the right thing to do. This is the second time in 6 months where I've had a stress related work incident and that time I very nearly ended my life. They are recording the meeting and I'm getting in serious trouble for what I believe is prioritising my own health and wellbeing. Do I have any legal rights in this situation? Do you think a lawyer would take my case? This is the UK by the way and the big store is an ALDI.
Really worried and would appreciate some perspective in this situation, thanks.
Jobadvisor
Understanding the Disciplinary Process (UK Law)
- Your Right to Companion: Under Section 10 of the Employment Relations Act 1999, you have the absolute legal right to be accompanied at this hearing by either a trade union representative or a work colleague. Bring someone with you—do not face this alone.
- Audio Recording: Employers can record meetings if their policy allows it, but you should also be provided with a full transcript/copy of the recording afterward. You can also take your own written notes.
- The 2-Year Threshold: In the UK, statutory protection against unfair dismissal generally requires 2 years of continuous service.
- If you have worked there LESS than 2 years: An employer can terminate employment relatively easily unless the dismissal relates to an "automatically unfair" reason (such as disability discrimination, whistleblowing on health & safety, or statutory rights).
- If you have worked there MORE than 2 years: They must prove they followed a full ACAS process and that dismissal was a proportionate response.
Do You Have a Legal Claim / Would a Lawyer Take This?
- Disability Discrimination (Equality Act 2010): Severe, recurring mental health conditions (like severe depression, extreme anxiety, or acute stress) can legally qualify as a disability if they have a substantial, long-term impact on your ability to carry out day-to-day activities. If your mental health qualifies as a disability, the employer has a legal duty to make Reasonable Adjustments (e.g., managing break times, staffing levels, or handling stress incidents). Disciplining you for a symptom of a known disability can constitute discrimination.
- Health & Safety Rights (Employment Rights Act 1996, Section 44/100): If an employee leaves a workplace because they reasonably believe there is a serious and imminent danger to their health or safety, they have statutory protection against detriment or dismissal. Arguing that staying on shift posed an imminent threat to your mental health and life is a specific legal defense.
Immediate Action Steps Before the Hearing
- Contact ACAS Immediately: Call the free ACAS helpline (0300 123 1100). They provide impartial advice on UK employment law and can guide you on what to say in your specific hearing.
- Get a Fit Note from your GP: Go to your doctor or GP immediately. Explain the acute workplace stress and severe panic/breakdown you experienced. Ask them to write a Fit Note signing you off for work-related stress. Submitting medical evidence changes the narrative from "they just walked out" to "they suffered an acute medical event."
- Join a Union (if applicable): If you are a member of a union (like USDAW or GMB), contact your representative immediately.
How to Approach the Hearing
- Reframe the Incident: State clearly: "I did not abandon my shift out of negligence. I experienced a severe mental health crisis brought on by unsafe operational conditions (manning 8 tills continuously without mandatory rest breaks). Mentally, I was in acute distress and unfit to safely perform my duties."
- Highlight Duty of Care: Point out that you have previously suffered a stress-related crisis at work, and management failed to address staffing conditions or offer reasonable adjustments.
- Present GP Documentation: Provide your GP fit note or medical context during the meeting so it is officially placed on record.
Reframing Your Options
it's horrifying to me how much time people spend working
I'm still a student and even now I don't have enough time. I'm just horrified of working in the future. Because I actually did the math and here it is.
prepare for work 1 hour at least
get to work 30mins to 1 hour work 8 hours
get from work 30mins to 1 hour
cooldown and stuff 30 minutes
prepare dinner and eat it 30mins to 1 hour
shower 30mins to 1 hour
prepare for bed 30mins to 1 hour
sleep for 8 hours
That literally leaves you with 4 hours for the 30mins versions or 2,5 hours for the 1 hour versions.
It. does. not. add. up.
I'm genuinely worried and concerned because I don't want my future to look like this.
Jobadvisor
- Remote and Hybrid Work: Eliminating a 1-to-2-hour daily commute immediately buys back 5 to 10 hours of life every week, transforming those "lost" hours into personal time or sleep.
- Overlapping Maintenance: Real life isn't strictly sequential. People meal-prep on weekends, listen to audiobooks or podcasts during commutes, or scroll social media during "cooldowns."
- Workplace Downtime: An 8-hour workday rarely means 8 hours of continuous, intense labor. In many fields, there are natural lulls, social interactions, and mental breaks built into the day.
- Compressed Workweeks: Options like 4x10 schedules give you three full days off per week, trading longer workdays for true, unencumbered freedom.
- Part-Time or Freelance/Contract Work: Prioritizing time over maximum income by choosing reduced hours, project-based work, or high-value skill freelancing.
- Job Proximity: Prioritizing living close to work—or working entirely remotely—to reclaim the commute tax entirely.