Do you know your worth? You have to, or companies will take advantage of you.
As I do whenever I have a few minutes to spare, I spent a few minutes this morning browsing LinkedIn. I looked at updates, checked messages and notifications, and read some interesting posts. And as with any trip to LinkedIn land, I scanned some job postings that match my skills, interests, and current roles. While scrolling, I came across a position posted by an insurance company: Quality Assurance and Training Analyst. Having years of experience working in both QA and Training, my curiosity got the best of me, and I clicked on the posting to read more. I was genuinely interested to see what this company was looking for. Were they looking for someone to manage their QA process and provide feedback on training processes?
Before I can explain how severely out of touch this job posting was, I’ll share a glimpse into my experience. I’ve been a technical and creative writer for years for multiple companies under various role titles, like Analyst, Copywriter, and Copyeditor; facilitated classes in person, virtually, and in blended experiences; created instructional design (courses) and managed QA processes for training and design; and managed QA for general employee performance. So, anytime I see a blended QA-style role, I look into the details of the job posting. I’m always prepared for a challenge, and even if it’s something that’s not speaking to me, it could be something to share with someone in my network who’s currently seeking a new role.
What I saw was exactly what so many experienced professionals have seen over the past years. Under the list of responsibilities, the company had a complete list of duties and expectations of a Quality Assurance Analyst, a Training Manager, a Facilitator, and a Program Manager—and you had to have an insurance sales license. I just had to look at the compensation. All insurance premiums paid by the company, up to five weeks of PTO, and holidays off were included as part of the compensation and benefits. It all looked great until I saw the salary range: $60k–$70k. No wonder the LinkedIn analytics showed that nearly 50% of the recent applicants were entry-level. These applicants may not know what they’re in for and often lack the real-world experience that allows a seasoned veteran to spot the bait.
Entry-level candidates are often newly entering the workforce, full of energy and hope, and haven’t fallen flat on the floor of reality yet. They lack experience, so they’re willing to agree to taking on a slew of responsibilities, not knowing if all the expectations are realistic or fair. They haven’t learned that companies will lure them in with what seems like a great salary, great benefits, and PTO, all while hoping they won’t see that they’re actually asking them to perform more than just the role they think they’re applying for.
These companies are trying to catch a whale with worms. If I were a gambler, I’d bet that this is not the first time this company has posted this position. Under no circumstances should anyone allow a company to expect them to perform the roles of multiple skilled positions while being paid for only one of them.
Know your worth. Research median salaries for the role you’re applying for. If it sounds like the company is listing responsibilities for more than one role, then the salary should match that. You’re not a worm, so don’t let a company treat you like one.