Hey everyone! I've found myself in a tough spot at my nonprofit SMB. I was hired as a Help Desk Technician with a standard role focused on end-user support and hardware troubleshooting. However, my manager made it clear during the interview that they wanted someone proactive to eventually build an internal IT department. Since starting, I've taken on a ton of responsibilities, including implementing security protocols, drafting an IT roadmap, and saving the organization a good amount of money.
When I asked for a title and pay raise that reflects my work as an IT Systems and Security Administrator, my manager said I'm only meeting expectations and didn't really acknowledge the major gap between our agreed role and what I'm actually doing.
I'm really looking for advice on how to communicate my value to someone who doesn't understand IT, or if it's better for me to step back into the original job description without risking getting written up or fired. I'm open to hard truths about my situation, and I might consider moving on if things don't improve. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
You really need to bring up your job description and your accomplishments. Show your manager how what you're doing goes beyond the standard tasks. Make sure you communicate in a way that's relatable to your manager; focus on benefits and risks. If that doesn’t yield results, then consider it a learning experience and look for a role where you’ll be appreciated. This could be a good moment to sharpen your skills in communicating with management too.
Honestly, it might be time to look for another job. If your manager doesn't recognize your efforts and the value you're bringing, you might feel stuck. Go ahead and lay out clear comparisons showing how your pay doesn’t match your responsibilities. If he isn't receptive, take your resume and seek out a position that values your skills better. There's no point in staying somewhere that doesn’t appreciate you. Just be civil when you go, you’ve gained experience and skills to take with you, after all.
I’ve seen this scenario play out many times. You’re definitely being undervalued here, and it’s unlikely your current boss will change his mind. If it feels like they won't recognize your worth or potential, seriously consider moving on. It’s better to leave before burnout kicks in than to continue being taken for granted. Trust me, you want to be in a place where your hard work is rewarded.
You could try to talk to the owner directly—sometimes they’re not aware of how their departments are running. Don't hesitate to make it clear how your boss is in over his head with IT matters. You deserve to be properly acknowledged, so don't shy away from being assertive while discussing your contribution to the company.
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