Author Topic: Ask a Manager + Get Rich From: A Position of Strength  (Read 7131 times)

katethekitcat

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Ask a Manager + Get Rich From: A Position of Strength
« on: January 13, 2020, 12:15:41 PM »
Does anyone read the workplace blog, Ask a Manager? The woman who runs it, Alison, worked in HR and hiring for many years and has answered thousands of reader's questions about tricky work situations, raises, managers, etc.

Frequently when reading it (and especially over the last few weeks, there have been some particularly relevant questions), I'm often reminded of the MMM blog post Get Rich With: The Position of Strength.

SO many of the question on the blog stem from not having the financial freedom to leave a job, needing time off but not feeling like they can ask for it, etc. - that is, NOT operating from a position of strength. And while I think Alison generally has great answers, there are a lot of cases where she'll say, "That's probably too much time to ask off for when first starting a new job," etc. It's clear from most of her answers that the employer always holds an incredible amount of power...and that could be mitigated if you were operating from a position of strength.

It's very saddening to read how many people are stuck in their current job because they don't have any leverage.

PaulMaxime

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Re: Ask a Manager + Get Rich From: A Position of Strength
« Reply #1 on: January 13, 2020, 12:26:41 PM »
To me, this is the most important part of FI (or trying to become FI)

I'm at the point where if my employer does something I don't like I can just leave. And I'm not afraid to speak my mind if a controversial issue should arise, because the worst they can do is fire me which wouldn't really be all that bad.

The interesting thing is that people are afraid to speak their minds because of the potential consequences. But our company is not going to do anything to an employee because they disagree with management. They are generally open to hear what you think in a good way.

What then happens is that I get listened to a lot because I'm not afraid to speak out in a reasonable way.

Bloop Bloop

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Re: Ask a Manager + Get Rich From: A Position of Strength
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2020, 12:44:01 PM »
The employment market is like the dating market - 80% of the opportunities go to the top 20% of people.

There's no way for you to be in a position of strength in the first 2-3 years of career, but once you've invested that time, developed a semi-decent reputation, built contacts with colleagues and recruiters, and solidified your technical skills, then from that point onwards you are always in a position of strength. If your current employer doesn't give you what you want, just go elsewhere, like that, in a flash.

The problem is that many people aren't conditioned to be assertive or to see the job market as a game (i.e. as an open, competitive market) so they never push to get the most out of their employer, or themselves.

The other problem is that people who are assertive sometimes veer into arrogance or domineering behaviour. Remember, you can be aggressive with your demands and your salary requests, but you should never be openly arrogant in the way you express them. No one likes interpersonal arrogance in the workplace. Stay "humble" and collect cordial relationships. You will call on them in due time!

frugs

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Re: Ask a Manager + Get Rich From: A Position of Strength
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2020, 02:55:09 PM »

The problem is that many people aren't conditioned to be assertive or to see the job market as a game (i.e. as an open, competitive market) so they never push to get the most out of their employer, or themselves.


This is so true. People see their employer as the source of their money and don't realize they ARE the money. They are walking dollar bills and can walk away at any moment and take the dollar bills elsewhere if their efforts are not appreciated. It may not be like that everywhere, but in developed countries this is certainly the case. You just have to be flexible.

Confidence in yourself, reaching out to key people with specific asks, and networking with others is pretty much the key to getting and mastering the interview. Do this enough and doors will open.

I also don't think Ask a Manager gives the best advice sometimes either. When you say the advice at times does not come from a position of strength I think you nailed it @katethekitkat .

Most of the time, people can get much more if they just ask/try.
« Last Edit: February 01, 2020, 02:57:04 PM by frugs »

des999

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Re: Ask a Manager + Get Rich From: A Position of Strength
« Reply #4 on: February 04, 2020, 10:50:47 AM »
The employment market is like the dating market - 80% of the opportunities go to the top 20% of people.

There's no way for you to be in a position of strength in the first 2-3 years of career, but once you've invested that time, developed a semi-decent reputation, built contacts with colleagues and recruiters, and solidified your technical skills, then from that point onwards you are always in a position of strength. If your current employer doesn't give you what you want, just go elsewhere, like that, in a flash.


this is spot on.  The second half of my career has been so much easier, more enjoyable, and much more lucrative, based on the advice above.  My last two jobs I've gotten via contacts made over the years, the interview was just a formality.  I do agree that having been FI is what truly made it possible to take on a little added risk. 

 

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