To feel like this is a slap in the face from my old workplace.

[Sagegreen97]

Im mid 20s. I gave my notice in not long ago and how now started a new job. I’d been in this previous job in an estate agents for around 2.5 years. Over that time I went from doing admin and then on to admin and also doing outside of office appointments including showing people round properties and Doing rental inspections. My wage didn’t go up even though I had more duties. I did once ask about a pay rise and they said no basically. I’ve now seen my old job advertised, exactly same job description as mine but the wage is being offered at 8,000 a year more than what I was getting. I just feel as though they were using me to do all work and be on the lowest wage. My manager and other colleagues were always gossiping and never answered any incoming calls, it was always left to me

Doesn't surprise me. Often happens ☹️

Pretty typical in Estate Agency OP. They've always kept the younger staff on the lowest possible wages, telling them that they'll make it up via commission etc., which can work, but also creates bad feeling among staff too. Are you still in agency as a matter of interest?

It's shitty but not uncommon.

However, you've learned a lesson in your twenties that I didn't understand until my 40s. If your employer doesn't value you, moving on is the only way to progress, and that it's very normal, if you have ambition, to change jobs every couple of years or so. Loyalty to a poor employer is wasted.

I've found apprentices and people coming up through the ranks are easier to keep on the salary they're used to than someone from the outside applying for the role who can negotiate. Also the company has to advertise the job with a realistic salary to get applicants.

Those sorts of roles are good to get exoerience but you then leave if they don't promote you
Good luck in your new job - think of the last job as your training phase

I think it's also a reflection of the changing job market. Yes, they were keeping you on a low wage. But also, you have to pay more to get people to come into an actual office these days, and interact with actual humans.

Onwards and upwards, OP! You're clearly a motivated self-starter.

I'm afraid it's normal for employers to only really consider whether a job is on the right salary or not at recruitment.

I haven’t worked in estate agents but I’ve worked in sales ( recruitment in my case). Employers can be bastards in my experience - staff can be paid what they negotiate so not necessarily a standard rate. Employers also introduce rules about discussing your salaries so it’s hard to even find out about what’s normal or average. Keep an eye on who is winning what business and if you think you’re worth more money be prepared to ask for it.

Very typical I'm afraid! You often need to love job to increase salary.

Have you found something else?

Companies have a bigger budget for new hires than they do to retain staff.
In my previous role I was working at a much higher level than my job role and so asked for that to be reflected in my job title and pay.
They changed my title to include "senior" and gave me an extra £500 per annum.
Another senior on the team was on £10k more than me!
I left, they didn't even bother trying to counter my new job offer and my replacement was advertised at the salary I wanted but was refused!
It sucks but it happens.

The way to improve your salary is almost invariably to move to a different company. That's why I've been moving every 3 years for the last 12 years

It is so gutting to feel under valued! I have had the same this year - asked for a pay rise and didn’t get it so I left, my job is being advertised for £10-£15k more than I was on! Is their loss if they want to let experienced staff go!

Yep this kind of stuff does unfortunately happen, doesn’t make it right though!

I worked in a preschool room in a nursery, the room leader left and they didn’t directly replace her, meaning I basically had to take over the role as it needed doing, and it was just me and 2 brand new unqualified staff. They wouldn’t promote me as I hadn’t ‘proved I could do the job’ (right okay then?!)

Handed my notice in and they advertised the room leader position straight away…