It’s not just a job, it’s a career
The title is what a boss said to me because i went for an interview and asked for a pay he wasn’t willing to pay me.
Context: He said nobody will be willing to pay me for the price i asked for, and he says i come from a small company, he doubts the quality of work in such “small companies” and therefore, my quality of work as well. (said dude also is the boss of a small company). He lowballs me.
He asks me if anyone offered me what i asked for, i said yes, multiple companies. He then laughs at me saying that I’m someone that clearly isn’t well educated or someone who’s obviously more “in the know” (i work to pay for my own education post-poly). I insist on the pay, he insists on his low offer. At this point, i make it clear i dont want the job if it is not going to be the pay i asked for since i already have other offers.
The last thing this dude pulls out of his rear end is that he asks me what’s my plans for my career. I said i want my qualifications first, and i want to see what and where i can grow within the company that I’m joining, because when I’m done with the qualifications I’m taking, I’m looking to stay and see what other things there are for me within the firm. He again, laughs and says that I clearly look at things from a monetary aspect, and that it’s not just a job, it’s a career. Followed up with the nonsense of “i pay you lower, but I’ll plan your career and give you a path you can grow on. Of course i have to pay you lower first and see what you’re worth, if i feel you deserve more, I’ll give you more in time to come.”
Felt that it was absolute nonsense and just waited for him to finish yapping before going off.
My ex boss said this too, and im ridiculously underpaid with little increment to my pay, and empty promises all the time. Only stayed so long because it was my first job but left ultimately (funniest shit was him asking me to come back to help him clear work out of goodwill after i have served my notice because “we know each other for _ years so come back after _ date to help us clear work since you’re leaving us.” )
Have since joined another firm where im paid higher, with a much better environment.
Does anyone feel that bosses who say this sort of ‘take lower pay, and I’ll give you a future’ nonsense are major red flags?