Too young for next job?

secrectmarketer

Hey,

I'm 19 and I work for a small company. I joined the industry at 16 via an apprenticeship and have gained a lot of knowledge and understanding in the 3 years experience. The main issue I have is my salary - My family & I feel that I don't get paid enough for what I do and the responsibilities that I have. I have asked for pay rises and have also been given them but it's still not good enough. Currently on 15k a year and hopefully moving onto 18k in March but I am constantly seeing jobs for 22-30k a year wanting the same/less experience that I have currently. I was recently promoted to team leader and I do like the idea of being a team leader/manager but it's vary rare in the industry to have someone as young as 19 with 3 years experience.

What do I do? I love my job and the salary is not everything but I feel its only right I get paid what I deserve. I have all the experience and qualifications that I need, but I just worry that these other companies won't take me seriously because of my age?

HappyMJ

Do not whatever you do mention your age on your CV. Don't put your GCSE's on your CV as that is a give away of your age.

It is illegal to discriminate against someone because of their age so don't give them the opportunity.

The first time they'll know your age is when you fill in the starter form after they've offered you the job and if they then come back and say you're too young then you can make a claim against them.

ohreally

secrectmarketer wrote: »

I feel its only right I get paid what I deserve.

So does most other folks.

Employers generally pay what they feel they can get away with. You say you've asked for pay raises is the past, perhaps you haven't asked for enough.

Often the way to a descent uplift is to move on, you may have to consider this if your employer engage further.

Darksparkle

I started my first full time job at 17, received my first promotion at 20 and the next at 26.

I dont get taken seriously by some because of my age but I prove them wrong by doing my job and doing it well.

Flyonthewall

secrectmarketer wrote: »

Hey,

I'm 19 and I work for a small company. I joined the industry at 16 via an apprenticeship and have gained a lot of knowledge and understanding in the 3 years experience. The main issue I have is my salary - My family & I feel that I don't get paid enough for what I do and the responsibilities that I have. I have asked for pay rises and have also been given them but it's still not good enough. Currently on 15k a year and hopefully moving onto 18k in March but I am constantly seeing jobs for 22-30k a year wanting the same/less experience that I have currently. I was recently promoted to team leader and I do like the idea of being a team leader/manager but it's vary rare in the industry to have someone as young as 19 with 3 years experience.

What do I do? I love my job and the salary is not everything but I feel its only right I get paid what I deserve. I have all the experience and qualifications that I need, but I just worry that these other companies won't take me seriously because of my age?

You've been getting rises and the mininum wage is lower as you're 19 and jobs you've been looking at will be giving the wage for those 21 and over so that could explain why you are currently on less.

You love the job, you're well above minimum wage for your age and you're currently still getting pay rises and promotions and you've got a lot of experience for your age. So as long as you keep going in that direction I'm sure it won't be long before you're on an even better wage. In a couple of years you'll be 21 so the minimum wage will be higher and you may be able to get more of a pay rise then, plus you'll have 2 years more experience so if the pay rise isn't there I'm sure you'll easily be able to get another job elsewhere.

HappyMJ wrote: »

Do not whatever you do mention your age on your CV. Don't put your GCSE's on your CV as that is a give away of your age.

It is illegal to discriminate against someone because of their age so don't give them the opportunity.

The first time they'll know your age is when you fill in the starter form after they've offered you the job and if they then come back and say you're too young then you can make a claim against them.

I agree not to mention age, but GCSEs should be on there. You could leave off the date you got them as that would give away age, but you only have 3 years work experience and you started with an apprenticeship, plus you should put the dates you've worked, so either people will work out how old you are from that anyway or they'll assume you have an unexplained big gap where you weren't working which is worse than them knowing you're young.

So there's really no escaping it, any future employer will work out you're young anyway! Instead of trying to hide age the better option is to use to their advantage.

SailorSam

I think it's always been the same. A new starter coming into a company was always offered a higher wage than someone who had worked there for years.

emsywoo123

secrectmarketer wrote: »

What do I do? I love my job and the salary is not everything but I feel its only right I get paid what I deserve. I have all the experience and qualifications that I need, but I just worry that these other companies won't take me seriously because of my age?

Your apprenticeship, depending on vocation and level, would have been 12 months+. Therefore it is unlikely you would have "all the experience" that you need.

Be careful overstating your position. Confidence is good, understanding that there is always scope to learn more is better.

Gavin83

HappyMJ wrote: »

The first time they'll know your age is when you fill in the starter form after they've offered you the job and if they then come back and say you're too young then you can make a claim against them.

I'm sure they'll have a good guess when he goes in for interview and they see him face to face. Although saying this, I doubt most employers would care, at least in this circumstance.

Guest101

secrectmarketer wrote: »

Hey,

I'm 19 and I work for a small company. I joined the industry at 16 via an apprenticeship and have gained a lot of knowledge and understanding in the 3 years experience. The main issue I have is my salary - My family & I feel that I don't get paid enough for what I do and the responsibilities that I have. I have asked for pay rises and have also been given them but it's still not good enough. Currently on 15k a year and hopefully moving onto 18k in March but I am constantly seeing jobs for 22-30k a year wanting the same/less experience that I have currently. I was recently promoted to team leader and I do like the idea of being a team leader/manager but it's vary rare in the industry to have someone as young as 19 with 3 years experience.

What do I do? I love my job and the salary is not everything but I feel its only right I get paid what I deserve. I have all the experience and qualifications that I need, but I just worry that these other companies won't take me seriously because of my age?

Have you spoken to the director/general manager about a career path in the company?


I would start something like:


In line with my recent promotion I feel my position in the company is secure and am keen to continue a long term employment here.


I am keen to develop my career, especially given my tender age, I feel it may be useful to plan out a 5 year outline for development and progression. It would be helpful to have clear KPI's (Key performance indicators) and clear markers for progression within the company.

t0rt0ise

Just start applying for better paid jobs. I had it the other way, people said I was too old to get a new job but I proved them wrong on that. You can too.

FBaby

I joined the industry at 16 via an apprenticeship

Does this mean that they have paid for your education too? Because if that's the case, you've received a lot more than just £15k. It would also mean that you have only got your diploma. 3 years experience in this instance is usually once fully trained.

I expect you are over valuing your worth and wanting too much too quickly.