Entrpreneurial Mindset vs. Slave Mentality
Profunksticated left his resume’ on Monster.com shortly after taking the gig in Maryland back in July. I still got a lot of calls from recruiters for DMV-area firms seeking proposal specialists. I should have taken it down, but the calls helped to confirm for me that a dude with my skill set is in some demand here.
One recruiter message, however, stood out. This guy said the Chief Operating Officer of this IT firm liked my resume and wanted to talk.
Long story short, I finally talked to the recruiter after a week. He said again his COO loved my resume,’ but there was one major red flag – the asking salary I listed was, get this, too low.
“‘Can we really get this guy this cheap?’” the recruiter quoted the honcho as saying. “‘We’d better make sure that’s right.’”
I was blown away. I asked the recruiter what a reasonable salary would be for a guy with my experience – 16 years in journalism and eight years in proposals. He said based on my experience and the DMV market, I should be asking for at least $15,000 to $20,000 a year more than I’m currently being paid.
And what I’m paid now is $5,000 less than the desired salary I listed on my Monster resume. I began to suspect my supposedly “low” desired salary prompted many of the recruiter calls. Maybe they too were bargain-seekers.
I later told my high school buddy, who is a Human Resource VP for a hospital, about the conversation. I told him I was lowballed. He replied that I lowballed myself, but I had no choice since I had no job for a few weeks after my temp gig ended and had to get in the door somehow.
I told him, and I will tell you all, that I want to make more money. Don’t we all? I updated my resume – and made it anonymous. I bumped up my desired salary to $20,000 more than what I’m receiving now and recast my resume’ as that of a proposal manager.
And lo and behold, I’m getting e-mails from firms seeking proposal managers who have seen my resume and want to talk. And they see my higher desired salary, so they must be prepared to pay it if they decide to hire me.
You would think that would be a no-brainer.
But my brain battles itself. In one corner is the budding “Entrepreneurial Mindset” that says, “You need to get up out of here with the quickness. Get to another gig and make the bigger salary so your butt can more easily make the bills in DMV and at the Philly-South NJ home. You know now you settled for less. Go out and get what you’re worth, damn it!”
In other opposite corner is that stronger cranial compartment, the one holding what I call the “Slave Mentality” formed over years of being told by parents and other well-meaning folk to stay in the secure job and to accept the relatively low pay. It is fear-driven. It says, “You should be happy to have this job. Your boss is a nice enough person. You should remain loyal to this company. You should be content with what you have. Why do you want to leave? You just started here.”
To which Entrepreneurial Mindset responds, “Are you freaking crazy? Loyalty? Do you remember those three layoffs/firings in the last 11 years? You know damn well these people will boot your black azz just as soon look at you when it suits them!”
Slave Mentality: “But this company offers health insurance. And if you go somewhere else for the money, you’ll have more responsibilities and more stress. And you know you try to avoid stress like the bird flu.”
Entrepreneurial Mindset: “You had just as much stress when you were getting paid isht. And a higher paying gig offers health insurance, too. Another firm might even offer perks and a signing bonus!”
Slave Mentality: “But they gave you this really cool navy blue polo shirt with the company logo on the front and the website address on the back under the collar. It shows you’re part of their team.”
Entrepreneurial Mindset: “Arrghhh! A polo shirt??!! Team, scheam! You gotta think like a professional athlete! You are a free agent! Damn! Sell your services to the highest bidder just like the ballers do!”
And so on.
A brother needs your help. Tell me if you’ve experienced a similar internal battle and how you managed to get paid what you’re worth.
I think you know which way I want to go. I need your encouragement to break these damn mental chains, ‘cause Pro is tired of settling for less.
Peace.
Don’t make me cyber pop you up-side your head. M’kay? That slave mentality dude died back when Ronald R. was in office.
While I have never had the slave mentality, I did under-value myself. For over two years I worked for a company with people I loved. All very cool. Like any job, the company had it’s pluses and minuses. Anyhow, I was pushed into a position with way more responsibility. In this role, I got to see just how much my team was making for the company MONTHLY. I was told that we were making most of the money for the company. But our salaries didn’t reward us. Skip a few months and a couple interviews. My current job fell in my lap. But I was so used to under-valuing myself when the job offer came by email, I didn’t respond for a while because I was sure the woman had made a mistake. She couldn’t want to pay little old me that much. Weeeeellll, skip a few months later and they do pay me that much and sometimes I do get mad at myself for thinking that I work in education so I’ll never made the same amount of loot as other industries. WRONG. I say all this to say, you need to go on interviews.
You can always leave this current job off of your resume if you think it will make you look unreliable. You can say that getting let go was a blessing because you were able to help your wife and sister-in-law, etc. In other words, spin it like you are a Republican.
Hostess, I used “slave mentality” for want of a better term. LOL. What happens is that we journalists cannot measure what they bring to their companies since we’re not in a revenue producing function, so we’re conditioned to take what we can get. Our pay is psychic. OK, I was conditioned to take what I could get, a mentality that’s plagued me to this day. If you could cyber pop me against my head hard enough, maybe it’ll shake something loose and I can say “uckf it” and go for the gusto with no guilt. Thanks.
Comment by Hostess — September 22, 2008 @ 9:09 am
“But they gave you this really cool navy blue polo shirt with the company logo on the front and the website address on the back under the collar. It shows you’re part of their team.”
LOL!!! though i’ve never heard your voice, i’m picturing you saying this out loud in a specific tone and it’s hilarious.
on to more serious matters, yours is quite the dilemma, sir. my heart feels for you because those decisions are never easy. my first piece of advice is: pray. only God can let you know if He led you to your current place for a reason and wants you to stay there. OR if He opened this new door (the higher-paying gig) just for you and wants you to walk through it.
after that, only you can know what is being spoken to your spirit. God sometimes has plans that don’t make any sense on the surface (like perhaps keeping you at the place you are now) but He has a greater purpose behind it. or sometimes He answers prayers you had forgotten you’d prayed, or prayers deep in your heart that you didn’t even know were there - and voila! this new opportunity arises.
if you really consider things (potential stress, coping with beginning again, higher pay, benefits, etc.) and feel as though you are being led to this new place, i 100% say go for it, and trust God to make it all good.
and talk it over with your wife and others close to you whose opinions you trust.
i empathize because these are tough decisions that you’re never quite sure of how they’ll turn out until you actually do it. the worst that can happen: you go for the new gig, get paid lots more dough, but decide you don’t like it there. you can stack dough while looking for a new gig (again). you can take advantage of the higher pay, gain some experience maybe for a year or so, and bounce to something that will suit you better. with your qualifications and with the knowledge that employers are seeking you out, you should have some assurance of finding something else if it doesn’t work out.
let us know what happens!! i’ll pray about this for sure.
Thanks, Dfly. I’ve been told my voice is radio-worthy. I’ve taken voice-over classes a few years ago, so why am I not voicing commercials? That’s another story for another blog post.
You’re right about the worst-case scenario. My thing is feeling guilty for leaving a gig so soon after starting. But I can’t afford to wait for a pay raise from them, especially now that I have an idea of what I’m really worth. I will pray over it, though. The Lord did lead me to this area for a reason.
Comment by dragonflysoul — September 22, 2008 @ 9:59 am
u know where i stand
I daggone sure do. Thanks, Dawg.
Comment by rawdawgbuffalo — September 22, 2008 @ 10:10 am
” I’ve been told my voice is radio-worthy. I’ve taken voice-over classes a few years ago, so why am I not voicing commercials?”
THAT IS SO FUNNY - people tell me that too!! i’ve never taken voice-over classes though. but, especially at work, i’m always the one they get to make PA announcements or recordings. and i do impressions and accents, LOL. i should be in show biz - but i’m shy
that’s really cool that you took voice-over classes! you better use that talent and skill!!!!! i say figure out away to juggle the voice-overs, the book you’re going to write, and the new job and you’re set for life!
Dfly, I’ve never revealed this, but I appeared in a TV commercial, through a connection with the acting school, which is also a talent agency. Ironically, however, there was no speaking part. It was for a New York-area cable firm selling voice-over IP phone service. I held a sign. I was paid $700.
And if you can do impressions and accents, I say go for it!!!
Comment by dragonflysoul — September 22, 2008 @ 1:15 pm
LOL! @ “I held a sign. I was paid $700.”
get it, Pro!! a commercial - that’s so cool. you’re famous
um…yeah i don’t see me going for anything in that regard LOL. my friends and coworkers get a kick out of me, but i don’t know if the nation wants to hear all that.
Thanks, Dfly. You really should think about going for it. God may have given you a talent you’re not using.
This spot I’m in was shot in 2005 at a house in Long Island. Don’t know that I’m famous, but it was cool to shoot that commercial. I still have a copy of it if you’re interested.
Comment by dragonflysoul — September 22, 2008 @ 1:58 pm
i wanna see!!!!!!! then i can add you to Cord’s list of celebs i know!
for real. give. if that’s ok.
Dfly, glad you want to see. I’ll send it to your e-mail addy within a day.
Comment by dragonflysoul — September 22, 2008 @ 2:17 pm
Loyalty, schmoyalty!!!! If they were going to let you go, trust me, there would be no conversation where someone said, “But we’ve already given him a shirt. We can’t let him go now.” Nerp. Be loyal to your God, your family, your friends. You work for Pro, Inc. To hell with the other folks!
Hostess, you’re right. I added the shirt comment to give you an idea of the nefarious tricks my mind can play. And after the three incidents since 1996, you’d think this would be simple. That’s why I need independent minded folk like y’all.
Comment by Hostess — September 22, 2008 @ 4:41 pm
Man, I’m with Hostess. Decisions like this don’t baffle me at all. I did not take a vow of poverty and will not be played like I have. Do you think God wants you to be poor and for your family to struggle? He can make all things work for your good, but man, you’re looking a gift horse in the mouth. I’m trying to see about how I can make some more Benjamins myself as I know I’m underpaid, but I also have to do things to increase my stock.
Get off your duff and go for it. It’s just an interview. All they can say is “yes!”
And a large duff it is, A, which is why I’m having trouble getting off it. LOL! Just kidding!!! I’ve been struggling my whole adult life with debt and relatively low pay. Took me 25 years just to crack the $50K-a-year pleateau. When I was in J-school (which I would recommend to no one today) they told us, “you’re not gonna get rich doing this.” But that was OK, ‘cause rich folk went to Hell anyway, at least according to my limited knowledge of the Bible, which I hardly read in my youth. Thanks much for the encouragement.
Comment by A — September 22, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
y am i really excited?! LOL.
i’m such a cornball!
Hey, I’m excited also! I’ve never shared this before within the blog circle.
Comment by dragonflysoul — September 22, 2008 @ 6:11 pm
Interesting Pro
Well.. I am a risk taker, and there is no question which way I’d go, fuq the slave mentality, that is what I’d say. I learned a long time ago that I am soo replaceable to these big corporation, I have had to sue a company for unfair dismissal, with them begging to take me back when they lost and I told them to shove it up their arse. And later e-mailed them and told them, I am using them as reference and the focal point is my work and nothing else, of course they obliged. That is how cheeky I can be.
My parents have lectured me about not being content enough, and always chasing one thing or the other, and give up so easily, maximum time I have spent at a job is 2 yrs. I have walked away with no job at some point, and it pays off. Go out there and get what you want Pro, there shouldn’t even be questions about that. Don’t think for once, tha u owe your current company any loyalty, you earn the little money they pay you, in fact you deserve more, they are not doing you no favour by keeping u at that job, u don’t owe them shyt. You owe it to yourself to explore and use your full potential, and prove it to yourself.
I have only been out of University for 6.5 yrs, (80 months) have had five different jobs, and have been unemployed / in between jobs for a total of 17.5 months during that period), in 2 different continents. I know my record might be a bit extreme, but my point is, I wouldn’t do it differently, because of my willingness to go out there and do what is necessary, in most cases take major risks, I have been moving forwards ever since the day I left university. I have never settled for less, and never get less… go out there man, trust me I have gambled before, yours sounds like a fear of just excelling in what you do, and being rewarded for that. You ain’t even gonna take a risk, as u’d obviously see what options are out there, and grab the best one u can get.
Ok, I better stop here.
Shazza, thanks for the feedback. My wife and I took a big risk, moving West shortly after we got married, with her in school and me having no job. Fortunately, I was hired by a newspaper there as soon as we arrived there as a married couple. That worked out; as I stayed with that publication for the entire seven years we lived there. Another time we took a chance and moved to southern Virginia. That didn’t work out, as we were both unemployed within a year of moving there. We lived and we learned. You’re right I won’t be risking anything except some time as I interview other places.
Comment by Shazza — September 23, 2008 @ 6:21 am
Man, Pro. I battle with that constantly. It depresses me because corporate amerikkka is like modern day slavery. I don’t care about my company, and why should I since I’m replaceable and they wouldn’t hesitate to replace me, no matter how “valuable” they may want you to think you are. My entrepreneurial side is winning I think because I have to look at my situation and know that at this point in my life, I have less to lose as opposed to if I had more responsibilities. I just have an ass of bills, which work against me and help keep me enslaved, but then again, who doesn’t have bills? I’ll just tell you what you already know…stack loot….pad that safety net….and break the f*ck out of the matrix dude.
Cord, thanks. Break out of the matrix, indeed! I have a chronically ill, disabled spouse, two kids in college and an eight-year-old who’s jonesing for a video game system. I should be looking to move, but that old “you’re only worth this” mindset keeps trying to hold on. Pisses me off to no end. I appreciate all you guys for helping a brutha out.
Comment by Corduroy Johnson — September 23, 2008 @ 11:06 am
“TO THY OWN SELF BE TRUE” !!!
THAT’S ALL.
Thanks much, Philly.
Comment by onefromphilly — September 23, 2008 @ 11:28 am
Don’t make me start cyber stalking you so I can run up on ya and slap the snot outta ya head. Remember Cher in the movie Moonstruck….SNAP OUTTA IT!!!!!
The truth will set you free. You know you are worth it, now go get it. Humph!
Your Divaness, under other circumstances I’d welcome your stalking (cyber or physical) and slapping the snot outta my head. Like I told Hostess, I need something shaken loose!! LOL! Thank you much!!
Comment by TravelDiva — September 23, 2008 @ 11:34 pm