Know your worth - a photo with a story

Recently, someone was intrigued enough to ask me where the above photo was taken and if I was the photographer. I told them it was a picture of Font Magica in Barcelona and that indeed I had taken the photo, albeit a few years ago. As with any photo, there is always a story behind the picture. For me this picture encapsulated a pivotal moment of my career and why it’s important to value yourself, understand your potential and be confident enough to challenge the status quo. In sharing this short story, my hope is to benefit those who are facing similar challenges in their career.

In 2014 I had only just completed my masters and landed a contracting role for a large retail bank. Being my first major role out of university, I was thrilled at being given an exposure to a big project. I also had a great manager and like most graduates, I was excited to be in the 9 to 5 routine in an office environment. After delivering my project successfully, my manager decided to recommend me to another team, where I was immediately offered a permanent position. Switching from a contractor role to a permanent job meant several sacrifices, including a pay-cut, which I understood and accepted.

A few months in, I realised my workload had increased, however I didn’t think of it as a burden as my priority was to develop new skills. A new person joined the team and later I found out that he was given a significant pay-rise after renegotiating his original salary. After being told that I was performing well in my role and after regular conversations with my new colleague, who I got on with well, I was encouraged to also request a pay-rise. I thought to myself “I’ve done great work until now and they just gave a pay-rise to someone who joined after me, surely they will give me some sort of raise?”

I decided to approach my manager and asked if it was possible to request a pay-rise. His response was that it was out of his remit and I should arrange a meeting with himself and his manager. In preparation to this meeting I wrote down my reasons for why I deserved a pay-rise, which included my increased workload as well as recent key achievements in my existing work.

To be honest, I was slightly nervous but I went ahead with the meeting with my manager and his manager. I still remember their faces when I walked in, almost as if to say “Is he really doing this?”

After presenting my case, I asked for a 20% pay-rise thinking that they would at least meet me halfway. They literally laughed in my face. My manager said something along the lines of “you do realise your salary would end up being quite close to my salary”. His manager seemed to find the whole meeting itself entertaining and ended with “if we don’t give you the rise, which we can’t, what will you do?”. From the way they spoke to me, I felt humiliated, disrespected and almost discriminated against. I started to think this was a very bad idea, especially since people from BAME backgrounds like myself are often paid lower despite carrying out the same amount of work as others.

I had a lot to say in response, but instead I bit my tongue and said “Ok, I know where I stand now, thank you” and I walked out the meeting room.

I came home that evening and started searching for jobs on LinkedIn. I applied for an interesting role at a company closer to home. This was a huge bonus for me as I would be able to achieve a healthier work- life-balance. The next day, I got a call requesting an interview that very week. I went into the interview, literally days after that humiliation with enthusiasm, positive energy and high motivation. The interview went well and as we concluded, they asked me my salary expectations. I requested an amount which was a 20% increase to my current salary at that time. They smiled and informed me they’d reach out to me in the next few days.

A few days later, I was offered the job and it was at the salary I had requested – what a quick turnaround I thought! It was barely a week since that disappointing meeting, where I felt so humiliated and here I was sitting with a job offer at my desired salary that was closer to home.

I sent my notice straightaway and in response I received a meeting request – this time it was from my manager’s manager and his senior manager. I happily attended this meeting as it was my opportunity to respond to that question “...what will you do?” however I had a feeling this meeting was to confirm whether I was bluffing for a rise or if I really was leaving. They realised in that meeting that I did find a better opportunity elsewhere where my skills were valued and they gave me their farewell.

Part of my notice period was provided as gardening leave, meaning I still received a salary despite not being in the office. During my gardening leave, I spontaneously decided to make a last-minute trip to Barcelona to celebrate my job offer and enjoy a well-deserved break. Whilst I was in Barcelona, I visited Font Magica and that is where I had taken this very photo above. As someone who was fresh out of university back then, this experience was insightful but exciting and I was feeling almost victorious in some form. However, now that I look back, I realise this was a beautiful lesson to me on self-belief of truly knowing your full potential and acting upon it.

As I mentor several young people on their education and career aspirations, I often find that it is common for graduates or entry-level professionals to be exploited for their lack of willingness to challenge their senior colleagues. I myself was sceptical about putting a meeting in to negotiate my salary as I kept doubting my own ability and fearing the embarrassment of rejection. That negative feeling of being turned down was converted into motivation and positive energy which eventually took me to a better place. My advice is simple: work hard but also be confident in your own ability and never ever let anyone put you down or humiliate you. Self-belief is key.

Key Takeaway points:

1.     Understand your full potential

2.     Believe and value yourself

3.     Be confident to challenge the status-quo