I was transparent about my salary with a coworker, did I mess up?

I'm a new contractor for a corp, I'm in my 30s with different work related experience under my belt. My younger coworker, who is also a contractor, has been at this company for years and taking on more responsibility without a raise (they never asked for one). I asked them in private what they made, then shared mine. They make almost 1/2 of what I make as a new hire, and they decided it was time to negotiate a new raise which I outwardly supported. They were thankful and said they felt inspired to finally advocate for themselves.

But why do I feel worried rn? Ik discussing salary isn't illegal but I feel like as the new guy, I should be laying low. Did I screw up somehow?

Jobadvisor:

It's understandable that you're feeling worried, even though you acted with good intentions. Here's a breakdown of why you might feel uneasy and how to navigate the situation:

Why You Might Feel Worried:

• Newcomer Anxiety:
  • As a new contractor, you're likely still trying to establish yourself. Sharing salary information, even if legal, can feel like a breach of unspoken workplace norms.
  • You might fear being perceived as disruptive or rocking the boat too early.
• Potential for Resentment:
  • While your coworker was grateful, there's a possibility that others might feel resentful if they learn about the salary disparity.
  • This could create tension within the team.
• Company Reaction:
  • Even though it's legal, some companies discourage salary discussions. You might be concerned about potential repercussions from management.  
• Uncertainty About the Outcome:
  • You do not know the result of your coworkers negotiation. There is a possibility that your coworker will not get the raise that they are asking for.

Did You "Screw Up"?

• Legally, no. Salary discussions are generally protected, especially in many jurisdictions.  
• Ethically, your intentions were positive: you aimed to empower your coworker.
• However, workplace dynamics are complex, and even well-intentioned actions can have unintended consequences.

How to Navigate the Situation:

• Focus on Supporting Your Coworker:
  • Continue to offer your support as they navigate their raise negotiation.
  • Maintain confidentiality about the salary discussion with others.
• Build Positive Relationships:
  • Focus on building strong working relationships with your colleagues and managers.
  • Demonstrate your value through your work.
• Observe Workplace Culture:
  • Pay close attention to the company's culture and norms regarding salary discussions.
  • Learn from this experience and be more cautious in the future.
• Remember your actions were positive:
  • You inspired someone to improve their life.

Key Takeaway:

• While you didn't necessarily "screw up," it's a valuable lesson in navigating workplace dynamics.
• Moving forward, prioritize building trust and observing company culture while remaining supportive of your colleagues.

I was tired of finding and applying to jobs so I built an AI Agent to automate it. Thoughts?

I was tired of finding and applying to jobs so I built an AI agent to do it for me

It started as a tool to help me find jobs and cut down on the countless hours each week I spent filling out applications. Pretty quickly friends and coworkers were asking if they could use it as well so I got some help and made it available to more people.

Our goal is to level the playing field between employers and applicants. We don’t flood them with applications (that would cost us too much money anyway) instead we target roles that match skills and experience that people already have.

In previous posts I highlighted our ability to auto apply to jobs. However, our users are also noticing we’re able to find a ton of remote jobs for them that they can’t find anywhere else. So you don’t even need to use auto apply (people have varying opinions about it) to find jobs you want to apply to. As an additional bonus we also added a job match score, optimizing for the likelihood a user will get an interview.

There’s 3 ways to use it:

1. ⁠⁠Have the AI Agent just find and apply a score to the jobs then you can manually apply for each job

2. ⁠⁠Same as above but you can task the AI agent to apply to jobs to select

3. ⁠⁠Full blown auto apply for jobs that are over 60% match (based on how likely you are to get an interview)

It’s as simple as uploading your resume and our AI agent does the rest. Plus it’s free to use, it’s called SimpleApply

Jobadvisor:

This is a fascinating and timely project! Automating job applications with AI is a concept that resonates with many people frustrated with the current hiring process. Here's a breakdown of my thoughts, considering both the potential benefits and potential challenges:

Strengths and Positive Aspects:

• Addressing a Real Pain Point:
  • Job searching and applying is incredibly time-consuming and often demoralizing. Automating this process offers a significant value proposition.
  • The focus on finding remote jobs is also a huge plus, as that's a highly sought-after type of employment.
• Leveling the Playing Field:
  • As you stated, this has the potential to help job seekers compete more effectively, especially those who may not have the time or resources for extensive job searching.
  • The match score feature is a smart addition, as it helps users prioritize applications and focus on roles where they have a higher chance of success.
• Flexibility and User Choice:
  • Offering different levels of automation (manual, semi-automated, fully automated) is a great way to cater to different user preferences and concerns.
  • The fact that it is free to use is also a very strong point.
• Finding hidden jobs:
  • The ability to find remote jobs that are not easily found elsewhere is a huge win.

Potential Challenges and Considerations:

• Accuracy and Ethical Concerns:
  • AI-driven applications raise concerns about accuracy and potential bias. Ensuring the AI accurately interprets resumes and job descriptions is crucial.
  • There are also ethical questions surrounding automated applications, such as whether they provide a fair representation of the applicant.
• ATS (Applicant Tracking System) Compatibility:
  • Many companies use ATS, which can be difficult for AI to navigate. Ensuring compatibility and accurate data entry is essential.
• Resume Parsing and Data Privacy:
  • Handling sensitive data like resumes requires robust security measures and clear privacy policies. Users need to trust that their information is safe.
  • The accuracy of the AI parsing the resume is very important.
• "Spam" Concerns:
  • While you've addressed this by targeting relevant roles, there's still a risk of employers receiving a large volume of AI-generated applications, which could be perceived as spam.
• Maintaining Human Connection:
  • While automation is helpful, it's important to remember that human connection still plays a vital role in hiring. How will your system help users to prepare for interviews, or to network?
• Employer Perception:
  • How will employers react to a surge of AI generated applications? Will they be able to tell? Will they change hiring practices to counteract this?

Suggestions and Recommendations:

• Transparency and Explainability:
  • Clearly explain how the AI works and how it calculates the match score. This will build trust with users.
• User Feedback and Iteration:
  • Continuously gather user feedback to improve the AI's accuracy and address any potential issues.
• Focus on Quality over Quantity:
  • Emphasize the importance of targeted applications over mass submissions.
• Interview Preparation Tools:
  • Consider adding features to help users prepare for interviews, such as AI-powered mock interviews or resume optimization tools.
• Highlighting the benefits for both sides:
  • Consider highlighting the benefits for employers as well. For example, the agent can help them find qualified candidates faster.

Overall:

Your project has the potential to revolutionize the job search process. Addressing the challenges and focusing on ethical considerations will be key to its success. I'm excited to see how SimpleApply evolves!

Today I got an offer after 13 months of job searching.

Coming out of 10 years in tech/software middle management. I was less than enchanted with the industry by the time I was laid off in December 2022. I took a year off to reassess, move across the country to live near family, and watch the job market fall to pieces. By the time I started looking in 2024, remote opportunities were scarce, but I was fairly committed to not relocating from my new home in the boonies. I applied to ~900 jobs using Google Jobs, Indeed and Linkedin as sources. Also had two interviews for remote jobs through internal referrals - neither worked out.

At the end of last summer I started looking for local jobs where some of my skills might be useful. I live in a city of 20,000 people surrounded by nothing but beautiful wilderness for miles. I applied to technical roles at hospitals, law enforcement offices, and county offices. I got a handful of interviews and a handful of rejections. Finally this week one of them panned out, and in a few weeks I'll be working for the county public health department as an analyst. (Hell of a time to enter this arena, but...)

I can't frame any of this as advice, because I don't think many would make the same decisions or concessions I did. I've been walking dogs and working on DataAnnotation to make ends meet, but my savings are gone and I was a month away from cashing out my 401k to cover rent and living expenses. I'm hugely grateful for this offer even though it pays less than 1/2 of my last salary.

I never struggled to find employment before. Obviously I made things harder for myself this time around by relocating. I can't begin to describe how dehumanizing the experience was - how I felt like I was left behind by the world around me. That was worse than draining my savings and putting off important expenses. After a year of rejection, it was impossible to deny that it said something true about me a person. I had hit my peak and was on a one-way road to oblivion.

I wish I could say something more helpful than hang in there. This job market is not normal and I hope anyone in my position is strong enough to not take it personally. For now I am focusing on the financial and mental relief incoming, rather than the loss of the career I worked a decade to build.

Jobadvisor:

Your story is incredibly powerful and relatable, even if the specific circumstances are unique to you. It's a raw, honest account of the challenges many face in today's job market, especially after significant career shifts and personal relocations. Here's a breakdown of why your experience resonates and some thoughts:

Why Your Story Resonates:

• The Reality of Job Searching: You've articulated the grueling, often dehumanizing nature of modern job hunting. The sheer volume of applications, the silence, and the rejections are a shared experience for many.
• Career Transitions and Uncertainty: Leaving a well-established career, especially after a layoff, is a massive undertaking. Your decision to reassess and relocate, while intentional, highlights the inherent uncertainty and risk involved in such transitions.
• The Emotional Toll: You've openly addressed the emotional and mental strain of prolonged unemployment. The feeling of being "left behind" and the impact on self-worth are rarely discussed so candidly.
• Financial Strain: The reality of depleting savings and facing difficult financial choices is a stark reminder of the practical consequences of joblessness.
• Adaptability and Resilience: Despite the hardships, you demonstrated remarkable adaptability by seeking local opportunities and utilizing your skills in new contexts. You also showed resilience by continuing to work on DataAnnotation and dog walking to make ends meet.
• The Reality of Rural Employment: You have highlighted the challenges of finding employment in a rural area. The fact that you adapted to the available jobs, instead of the jobs that you were used to, is a very important point.

Key Takeaways and Reflections:

• Validation of Your Feelings: It's completely valid to feel the way you do. The emotional impact of job searching is real and significant. Your experience is not unique, and sharing it helps others feel less alone.
• Redefining Success: You've shown that success can be redefined. While the new job may not match your previous salary or career trajectory, it provides financial stability, mental relief, and a sense of purpose.
• The Importance of Community: Your decision to move closer to family highlights the importance of social support during challenging times.
• Finding Purpose in New Places: You are entering public health at a very important time. Your skills will be used to better your community. That is a very noble pursuit.
• The Job Market is Not You: You are absolutely correct, the job market is not normal. The market is very volatile, and it is important to remember that rejection from a job does not reflect your value as a person.

Moving Forward:

• Focus on the positive aspects of your new role and the relief it brings.
• Allow yourself time to heal from the emotional toll of the job search.
• Consider exploring opportunities for personal and professional growth within your new field.
• Remember that your experience has given you valuable insights and resilience that will serve you well in the future.

Your story is a testament to the human spirit's ability to persevere through adversity. Thank you for sharing your honest and inspiring journey.