I started a job about a month and a half ago through a friend who runs a small web development company. The interview went well, and I delivered solid work in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. However, the owner has been incredibly slow to respond, often taking weeks to get back to me. After my last project, she informed me that client work is currently on hold and mentioned she would reach out if any opportunities came up. We had agreed on a payment of €250 per month during what was described as a paid trial period, but I haven't received any payment so far.
It's crucial for me to keep this position for 12-15 months to gain valuable experience, especially since I missed out on internships during college. However, I don't want to overlook the need to be compensated or set a poor precedent. I've already applied to over 1,000 jobs and I'm feeling frustrated without any progress in my tech career.
I'm thinking about reaching out to say something like, "I'm doing well, I'm disappointed to hear about the client work situation, and I wanted to check in about the payment for the trial period." But I feel hesitant to ask outright since I'm not technically under a contract yet. What would be the best approach here, keeping in mind my desire to avoid a bad situation while also considering other opportunities?
4 Answers
It doesn't hurt to reach out! If work isn’t consistent and your trials aren't yielding payment, you should definitely start looking for other opportunities. Your message sounds polite but clear about needing to know the status of your payment—just make sure to assert your need for compensation.
You seem to be in a tough spot. If you're not receiving any work, it’s reasonable to go down Splitsville after confirming your payment. It's important to keep a good relationship though—let her know you’re available for future work opportunities if they arise. Avoid burning bridges!
Right, I’d like to maintain a friendly rapport in case anything pops up later.
If you did the work you're owed for during the trial, you may as well ask for payment directly. Even if it wasn't written down, you've got a legitimate claim to that €250. Follow up respectfully, and clarify that you're interested in future work but need to address the payment first before you look elsewhere.
Got it! I’ll ask about payment and will keep the door open for future work, but I also need to move on if nothing changes.
The situation is tricky, especially with a friend involved. It’s good that you want to be polite, but you also need to protect your interests. If she’s not responsive, working on personal projects alongside your job hunt could keep you moving forward while you search for a more stable position.
Definitely planning on boosting my portfolio while I search for a new gig.
What would be the best way to ask? Should I just be upfront about the payment?