That was... unexpected.

June 9, 2009 10:40 AM

I got promoted with a raise less than six weeks into the job. I need to know what else to expect, aside from having the standards raised way up.

I guess this is mostly a case of disbelief at this happening to me. Maybe my boss is a bit too quick to the draw, but I'm thinking that his optimism has already been tempered by the failures that come with being a businessman. I don't know.
I'm a fresh graduate, this is my first job, and in college, I was really never the overachieving type, I was never even really involved in organizations. At this new job, I've definitely put in some effort, but I still feel like a total newbie so I wonder how my boss could place so much faith in me.
So how do I make good of this? Have there been others who have gone through the same thing? I'd like to know what comes next.
Apart from that, I just need to know if there's a bigger chance of me not getting regularized. More responsibility with less experience = more chances of making bigger mistakes. Getting fired after this would be a big blow.
Since I got a raise too, I'm also wondering if this wipes out the chance of me getting a raise if ever I get regularized, and if that increase will be substantial. I don't know yet if the raise is a significant amount, so I'm keeping my expectations low. Given the current economic situation, I was already embarrassed to have (successfully) negotiated my starting salary at a higher amount to begin with.
I don't know if I need a throwaway account, but just in case: [e-mail]
Many thanks.

posted by anonymous to work & money (8 comments total)

Not sure what you mean by "regularized" -- local term of art?

It's entirely possible that your boss has had his optimism tempered by dozens of wash-out employees, and that after six weeks he saw you may be a newbie, but you have your head screwed on straight and are much more reliable than others that he has hired. I would make sure that I have a sit-down with him, maybe a casual lunch as well as a formal meeting, so that you understand what it is that gives him confidence in you and what his new expectations are. We really can't answer that from afar.

This comes filed under not looking gift horses in the mouth too much, so I would say your worries are one part overthinking it, one part nervousness about a new position with new responsibilities, and one part not yet feeling confident about raising these questions to your boss directly.
posted by dhartung at 10:47 AM on June 9

Most of your description deals with your feelings about this and is vague on every other detail so it's going to be impossible for us to tell you what to really expect, but from the sounds of it your boss is either confident in you or is setting you up for a fall. I think at any rate you have a fear of failure, so maybe a Google search on that phrase will be helpful. Also, none of us can predict the future.
posted by rhizome at 10:53 AM on June 9 [1 favorite has favorites]

Perhaps even though you negotiated to a higher salary, you were still underpaid relative to others doing the same job. Once they saw you were a decent employee, you were brought up to par so that you wouldn't get ticked off once you found out others' salaries.
posted by benzenedream at 11:01 AM on June 9

Don't be embarrassed at your salary, be proud of yourself!! Your boss obviously thinks you can do this, otherwise he wouldn't promote you. But don't let that scare you, your boss is also obviously aware that you're still REALLY new and you are still expected to not know a lot of things. So you should still go to him/her with all questions for now, and this will prevent you from making any major mistakes. For the most part, asking questions makes you look smart, not stupid.

I'm not sure what getting regularized means and how that prevents you from future raises though, that might be a whole other issue. But I wouldn't worry about underachieving or not deserving this or anything.
posted by KateHasQuestions at 11:06 AM on June 9

As someone who used to interview and employ people regularly in my old corporate life I can tell you that this wasn't necessarily unusual behavior. Really, getting someone who has aptitude and common sense in one package is a windfall and as a boss you want to make sure to show that person they are valued. Your boss has faith in you, now just make sure that you cultivate a transparent relationship with your boss, keep them in the loop as to what you're doing and ask smart questions when you need guidance and you're in the top 5% of employees forever!

Congratulations on your raise.
posted by merocet at 11:22 AM on June 9

If you got a raise, it doesn't mean that your boss is going to double you expected work output. It means that he doesn't want you to leave! Good help is hard to find. :)

Seriously, thank your boss. Then, just make sure to keep doing what you have been, and doing it well.

If your boss' expectations change, he will almost certainly let you know.
posted by Citrus at 11:36 AM on June 9

Some jobs have a high washout rate, some bosses are very particular about who they hire, and will bring people on a trial basis. While they sometimes tell the new employee that, sometimes they don't because it will affect their performance. If the person gets through the first month or so then they get to keep the job, and get a raise. (No point in paying someone a lot if you're going to fire them in a month.)

At least that was my first thought when I read the summary. But it seems that for the most part you should just ask your boss. "So, thanks a bunch of the raise. What does this mean to you? Is this just a raise, or also a promotion?"

You use the word "regularized" a couple times in a way I'm not familiar with. Are you not a "regular" employee? Are you a contractor, or on probation, or a temp? If you're a temp you'll definitely get a raise as a full-time employee. As a contractor it can go either way, but it will almost certainly be to your benefit since you'll get benefits, etc.

Relax. You got one raise. By that track record you'll get more.
posted by Ookseer at 12:40 PM on June 9

If you are uncomfortable getting a raise for just doing your job well, you may want to ask and see there any expectations for you with this raise. Tell your boss you really appreciate the raise, but want to make sure there were no additional tasks you take on now with this.

Also, there might be a list of responsibilities for different ranks of employees. You could ask your boss about this, or if there's a Human Resource department, you could ask there. That could be the opportunity to start working on or towards bigger things, to set the stage for future raises based on increased levels of responsibility.
posted by filthy light thief at 12:59 PM on June 9