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Original poster

What did you get in your career by just asking?

19 replies

Humbugss · 27/12/2023 17:45

I am considering applying for a new job and it’s got me thinking.

I read somewhere a while ago that men apply for jobs where they don’t tick all the boxes whereas women are more reluctant. And the men do get the job if they don’t tick all the boxes. Well aware this may happen to men vs men too!

My current job was advertised with no salary listed. Tbh I wasn’t that fussed when they asked me for interview so I just asked for exactly what I wanted. (The job is really good and I’m so glad I took it! It was just my headspace at the time and that made me a bit meh) Their salary offer was really low compared to what I should be on so they changed the job role to fit what I was asking for. It was a very big hike and tbh I was shocked but it taught me a lesson to ‘just ask’.

I must add that what I was asking for wasn’t unreasonable and also my area is quite niche so I think I was in a strong position in asking for what I’d like. I definitely pushed it in terms of working arrangements re hybrid working (again not unreasonable in my line of work.)

There’s a role I’m pretty interested that’s come up in so definitely going to bear the above in mind as I feel I have nothing to lose.

When I was a grad I feel I had to rearrange my life for a job. Relocate, take whatever they offered. Now I’m senior I feel a total shift in the dynamic.

What did you ask for re a new job that you were quite shocked you got? What lessons did you learn in terms of just bloody asking? (Without being a cheeky fucker or totally unreasonable 😂).

I feel the more I asked for the more they wanted me tbh!

OP posts:
Original poster
Humbugss · 27/12/2023 17:50

In addition to the above I’ve also noticed that in my company people apply internally for stuff they have no experience in and they get it! Like they’ll apply for head of department, moving from another department and they’ll get it. To me that’s another example of just rolling the dice!

OP posts:
uhtredsonofuhtred1 · 27/12/2023 17:55

I recently got an internal promotion for a job that's commissioned by the local authority. This has always meant that the hours, tasks, role etc was very set in stone. I was asked to apply for it but I said I wanted to drop a day, WFH another day and get my expenses paid for. I totally expected them to say no, they didn't! Really happy as it's a role I've wanted for ages but always thought they would only accept full time.

Redcar1992 · 27/12/2023 18:05

I got 5k over the advertised salary and it also specified a degree was 'essential 'when I don't have one but I knew I had loads of relevant experience so applied for it anyway.

CormorantStrikesBack · 27/12/2023 18:07

Not sure about getting anything I’ve asked for apart from the odd training course but your first point resonates. I went for a job a few years ago where I was inexperienced and under qualified, I did not meet quite a few of the essential criteria. Like you I’d read that men apply anyway and women often don’t so thought fuck it and applied. Got the job, have done really well, have been promoted. Once a year someone flips their lid that I don’t have a PhD, I make promises to look into it and forget about it for 12 months. 😁👍

Scarletttulips · 27/12/2023 18:38

I applied for a different role and was offered low - I asked for £5 more and I wasn’t the only one - new team member!

There are others who joined who got a lot less than I asked for - so yes it’s worth asking.

LoveStHelier · 27/12/2023 18:41

I asked for 5 weeks leave and got it.
I asked for £5k more and got it
i asked for a pay rise but didn’t get it so I said well can I go to x country on exchange if they agree and got that.

if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

MissCordeliaPreston · 27/12/2023 18:44

Pay rises, several times, and training courses.

I have also made two quite serious complaints about male colleagues and they were upheld and these people were removed.

Megifer · 27/12/2023 18:45

£8k qualification paid for! Did a PowerPoint outlining the benefits my extra knowledge would bring. Manager stopped me after the intro slide to say "ok no problem" 🤣🙄

pavementmutation · 27/12/2023 19:08

Megifer · 27/12/2023 18:45

£8k qualification paid for! Did a PowerPoint outlining the benefits my extra knowledge would bring. Manager stopped me after the intro slide to say "ok no problem" 🤣🙄

Brilliant Grin

ChampagneCommunist · 27/12/2023 19:18

Asked for partnership. Got it.

Original poster
Humbugss · 27/12/2023 20:25

CormorantStrikesBack · 27/12/2023 18:07

Not sure about getting anything I’ve asked for apart from the odd training course but your first point resonates. I went for a job a few years ago where I was inexperienced and under qualified, I did not meet quite a few of the essential criteria. Like you I’d read that men apply anyway and women often don’t so thought fuck it and applied. Got the job, have done really well, have been promoted. Once a year someone flips their lid that I don’t have a PhD, I make promises to look into it and forget about it for 12 months. 😁👍

Seems you're doing just fine without PhD 😂 👏

OP posts:
Original poster
Humbugss · 27/12/2023 20:27

Thank you for all you’re stories you’re all inspiring!!!

I’m so glad you got what you asked for.

I think it also helps to look at people at the extreme end. I have a lovely colleague who probably never asked for enough and I saw her get short changed quite a lot (of course I have tried to intervene where appropriate).

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SummerSazz · 27/12/2023 20:34

I got a job which was much lower than my experience but was returning to employed role after self employment with kids.

Tbf the agency did say I was overqualified so they would likely pay me more for fewer days - they had a set budget and I wanted PT.

Got the FT salary for 2 days a week 👍

Floopani · 27/12/2023 20:41

Remote working. Put it in a Flexi request for it when everyone's contracts were being changed to hybrid post COVID, it was a bit of a punt, but I had discovered remote working suited me so much. Didn't think they would agree, as they said no full remote contracts, but they did and to honest it's the one thing that has kept me from leaving as I have moved away now.

Lifeasiknowitisout · 27/12/2023 20:43

5 extra days annual leave and shorter hours. Same wage.

and this year I got a 20% rise by just asking

DeathrowMarriage · 27/12/2023 20:45

I negotiated quite hard for my current salary which was up for debate after securing an internal promotion. My boss and her boss were quite taken aback that I hadn’t accepted their first offer, then admitted I was “only doing what a man would do”. 🙄

I have heard that sound bite you mention about men versus women about a hundred times in my 15 year career. I can’t stand it. It reinforces the idea that it’s women’s fault that we are not treated as equals in the workplace. It also doesn’t ring true for me at all.

TokyoSushi · 27/12/2023 20:57

I asked for x2 promotions and got them, I've just asked for another, and I'll get it.

I started 5 years ago on £22K, the next promotion will take me to £65K 😄

helloisitmeyourelookingfor · 27/12/2023 20:59

I started a new job and very quickly realised that the role and responsibility was in line with people 2 grades above me

I raised this as the people in the other roles were earning 12k more than me

My seniors agreed and my job was re-graded and I went up the pay structure

The first job was a cheeky application as I felt stuck in my previous job and had nothing to lose by applying -so I ended up with a 20k uplift in pay within 9 months

Original poster
Humbugss · 27/12/2023 23:55

TokyoSushi · 27/12/2023 20:57

I asked for x2 promotions and got them, I've just asked for another, and I'll get it.

I started 5 years ago on £22K, the next promotion will take me to £65K 😄

well Done!

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