let's talk money

[shewgarbaby]

so i don't know what i should do every time people ask me how much i want to get paid or how much i am getting paid. is the whole earnings thing supposed to be a private issue? i know it's my choice but typically.. do people keep that a secret

Comments

[shewgarbaby]

haha well that IS nice if ur relatives pay for your expenses while on vacation hehe.

for some reason, i always thought i wasn't supposed to ask or say. *shrug* and it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable knowing that i make more per hour than say... my aunt. :(

[goldkiwi]

I was brought up to believe that it's impolite to ask how much someone makes (although I'm not sure if that's a belief that actually came from my parents, or popular culture...) but a few years ago (at your house, I think) people were asking how much Pierre was making, and when I said that was rude to ask, all the guys were like, "Why is that rude?" and looked at me like I was crazy...

So yeah, I dunno, I feel uncomfortable when people ask me, and I don't feel comfortable asking others, either, but then again it would be nice to have a reference point!

[shewgarbaby]

yea.. i never ask.. altho the closest i came to asking someone is asking them what range did she (my classmate) gave the interviewers when she was asked about expected salary. i told her i was just curious and she told me. but i didn't ask how much they actually paid her afterwards >.<

so i have no idea how poorly or well i'm doing. just doing what i can i guess. i read 24 and metro on the transit tho and there's this section about these students.. and they get asked how much they think they'll make after graduating and i'm often FAR from the figures they say. bah.

[millie]

i don't care about telling people how much i make, but thats cause i don't have a career. i don't think its polite to ask either, and i wouldn't if it was someone in a career unless its one that i'm interested in and actually would like to know.

[shewgarbaby]

i don't really know what point in my life i will know when i actually have a career already............ ? >.< but yea, i don't ask if i can avoid it. if nething, i search on the internet for those people giving average $ of what a graduate in a certain industry can expect for their salary after finishing school.

[confusionaly]

So yes, it is technically considered rude.

That said, I think sharing salary information with people in your field is very important. Knowing what the standard salary range in your field at various experience levels is vital if you want to be fairly compensated (unless you're unionized like me, and your salary level is set as a standard level based on your job description). You can't expect people to share their salaries with you, however, if you're not willing to share with them. It is also important to remain this candid as you move up the ranks, so that younger folks you mentor can have a realistic view of their industry.

Also, if anyone is interested - UBC publishes a book of the salaries of everyone that works there. You can buy it at the bookstore.

[shewgarbaby]

thanks jen.

i don't know why i'm shy to share... but you're right. it's important to share with those in my industry especially. i have this report from a few years ago that has the salaries for my industry specifically but it's a bit dated and they purposely do that. i may want to check out that book at ubc tho. just out of curiosity, right? ^_^

thnx beb!

[evoleschre]

i was told when i was younger that it's impolite to ask how much someone makes but personally i don't get that. i mean if it was someone that was close to me (family or friend) that asked, i don't have a problem telling them. if someone i didn't know so well asked, i'd feel uncomfortable. i don't make anything now but you can compare your salary against mine when i eventually have a job. :P

[shewgarbaby]

lol aw thanks!

u know i almost stopped thinking about this whole salary thing when suddenly, i was told by a friend and former classmate from highschool in a similar field that i'm making less than standard. greaaaaat. wahoo!!!

i will write about it!