Job Scope a level above my Job Title, should I be worried ?
Hi guys, so I’m just thinking ahead on what to do in my future career.
I am just a diploma holder and was hired as something of an Assistant Engineer level title. I can’t disclose the actual title as it would be very obvious…
But anyways, when I joined this SME I was the first engineering staff and took up many more responsibilities.
Eventually, my responsibilities evolved so much they were more of Executive Engineer level but my title is still Assistant Engineer.
Just want to say that I am not being taken advantage of. In fact, my boss has a very good opinion of me and it shows in the bonus he gives to me, albeit little compared to degree holders…
Anyways, I’ve spoken to him about this and asked if he can change my title and he mentioned that many Assistant Engineer do take on higher responsibilities than usual in this line of work.
My concern is that whatever I build up here is only relevant here. Although I do Executive Engineer work, my title and educational certificate ties me to Assistant Engineer roles.
I’m not sure how to approach this… If I get retrenched I can’t find a better job and I can’t quit because of this…
Would like some advice please, thanks !
Netizens’ comments
- Lol typical SME boss gaslighting diploma holders to do degree level jobs while paying diploma salary. Thanks for funding his Mercedes.
- Instead of asking for simply a title change, you can try asking for a promotion? You can get a pay bump too.
I’d recommend you collect data on how you’re over performing for your role and have a list to showcase. But of course…I haven’t worked in SMEs but heard horror stories of stingy bosses, so if you do so, you may need to be wary of any potential backlash. But if you feel you’re shortchanged, just give it a shot. - A title is simply a title. You lose it the moment you leave the job and it has little meaning. Your future employer don’t judge you by your title, but how much you command to offer you your next salary.
- Basically u r very good in what u r doing and you are being rewarded by getting more work and responsibilities being piled on until your job scope is beyond the job description of an assistant engineer
It is true that your boss gives u higher bonus for the above but I place more emphasis on monthly salary and job title because your next job and the salary that comes with it, is often peg to this.
What ur boss told u is a half truth that it is okay to go a bit beyond the usual job scope perhaps 5-10% more den the agreed job scope and it is true most jobs are like this. But if it goes beyond that, it warrants a job grade adjustment and a job title and compensation that matches the scope.
What I will do if I am u is that I will speak to my boss and tell him that while I am happy with the work and responsibilities, I feel that the job scope no longer commensurate with the title and compensation and ask him what can he do about this, like talk to HR or something. Can express some frustration and subtly hint that you may consider a job offer elsewhere. Play your cards wisely and dun go overboard because the economy isn’t too good at the moment.
At the same time, apply for jobs elsewhere for a higher salary and if the job seems interesting and company is good, why not just move on?
I had a similar situation as u in my first job. Due to lack of manpower, I had to take up more responsibilities than then my current job grade. When I told my boss that the scope justifies a promotion to the next job grade, he told me that I need to prove that I can take on more responsibilities beyond the usual scope. So I chugged along with the assumption that I would be promoted the next cycle 6 months later. Fast forward to 6 months, I wasn’t promoted during the promotion cycle. When I asked why, they told me I wasn’t senior enough in the number of years that I worked in the company and the promotion quota was maxed out and although I was under consideration, I failed to make the cut just so slightly.
3 months later, I started my next role in another MNC as a project manager with a 30% in pay. Ironically, the guy who got promoted over me also left the same year for a better job.