Hey, Just Wanted to Introduce Myself

[dorry]

Just found this board and wanted to say hi!

I've been in the optical field, off and on, since 1980. I've been an optometric aid, optician, and office manager.

I've been out of the field since 1996, but recently I was approached for an office management position with an international chain. I interview this week.

I've been reading about salaries and I think I'm better prepared to ask for what I'm worth. Any suggestions would be appreciated. :D

Any hoo, looks like I might be climbing back in the saddle after so many years. Optical is something you never really forget.

[Fezz]

Welcome aboard!

Jump on in, the waters fine. This place is filled with great, intelligent, thought provoking, and sometimes cranky folks! Participate, speak up, ask questions, complain, tease..its all good!


:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

[DragonLensmanWV]

Welcome aboard!

Jump on in, the waters fine. This place is filled with great, intelligent, thought provoking, and sometimes cranky folks! Participate, speak up, ask questions, complain, tease..its all good!


:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

And then there's Fezz.:bbg::bbg::bbg:

[k12311997]

good luck on your interview, just make sure that what they pay you is worth what they will ask of you. In my experience many chains can and do pay more but not the price of your soul that they ask in return.

[Fezz]

And then there's Fezz.:bbg::bbg::bbg:





Don't scare the newbie away. I was trying to make a friend. I need one-I can't find any here! :cry: :cry:


;):cheers:;):cheers:;)

[DragonLensmanWV]

Don't scare the newbie away. I was trying to make a friend. I need one-I can't find any here! :cry: :cry:


;):cheers:;):cheers:;)

Ah, Luring him into a false sense of security, huh?
mum's the word.:cool:

[Uncle Fester]

And then there's Fezz.:bbg::bbg::bbg:And like the rest of us don't be afraid to "blame it on Fezz":p


Also once you start making the big bucks don't be afraid to $upport Steve:cheers:

[optigrrl]

Well, all kidding aside WELCOME ABOARD! Good luck on your new venture. You never really do leave optics.

[Cindy K]

Don't scare the newbie away. I was trying to make a friend. I need one-I can't find any here! :cry: :cry: ;):cheers:;):cheers:;)

Welcome to OptiBoard! As you can already see, you'll find all kinds (of friends) here. :D

About your wage expectations, that's rather difficult for me to comment on as wages here vary tremendously, even just an hour west of where I work. However having said that if you're getting into a management position in a dispensary , you might want to contact your state association (if there is one) and they may be able to shed some light on what the wage line is around you.

[Pete Hanlin]

First of all, welcome! Here's hoping you find yourself looking back fondly on your first post after many successful years back in the field.

Regarding salary, make sure you go into the interview with a good idea of what YOU think you're worth. One of the least impressive questions an interviewee can ask is "How much does the position pay?" Stay strong during the interview, and let them make you an offer- then you are "in charge" (after all, if you come out on top of the list of candidates, the interviewer has already decided s/he wants you- and will usually be willing to pay what you ask... within reason).

[bt5050]

I am not sure if any of you have ever seen Suzie Orman - but she is a $ advisor - and has her own show - anyways - she bought up this great point on salary's and what poeple are paying what -
For anyone that worked for corp - america - as you know - they instill in you fear - not to discuss - what you are being paid -

However - This suzie - brought up a good point - People should want to talk about what they are being paid - and not feel uncomfortable with it - she made this great point - that contradicts everything that we are made to believe -

THAT if more people talked about what there salaries are - employers can not take advantage of folks - as they currently do - and that one should feel proud of their salary -

the point was brought up - that it is made to believe that it causes office termoil - and pay should be a private isue, - but her feelings are that the only people that is put in a funny- uncomfortable position are those companies that have to justify why the salarys are the way they are - and why the person right next to you - doing less work - having less expericance - is paid the same or more then you might be -

HER FEELINGS - THAT I FIND INTERESTING ARE - that - if more people talk openly about what there pay is - it is only gong to benifit you - in the long run - and also - it makes it easier to nego. pay - and also question if something is not in line - and it puts more folks on a level playing field - in regards to performance - favortism - the long time practice of paying men more then woman - ect -

She states that it is very important to discuss - and understand how the employer justifys salarys - as well as ensures everyone is kept on the same level playing field - she went on to say - that those employers that use salary ranges for posistions - seem to be a bit more fair - since it is in black and white what is the pay for a particular position - although even with this method with min pay and max pay for a position - vast differances can and do arise -

what i feel it comes down to is that one must be very careful when dealing with this subject -however - her views do seem very convincing - and true - and one should be proud of what ever one should make - and this secretcy is NOT warented - and even harms us all in the long run -

[braheem24]

Suzie must have had a few too many, I'm not about to explain to an employee why I feel someone with less seniority is more valuable.

The upset employee will probably be the clueless one that thinks thier work is up to par with everyone else.:rolleyes:

Commission checks are by far a more objective way of paying someone, yet they too somehow cause grief in the office enviornment.

Welcome to the Board, I'll shut-up now, this round is on FEZZ :cheers:

[bt5050]

I would not expect any employer to explain the resons behind their dec. what to pay who - but it does get the info out there - and those that feel they are not being paid fairly - or evenly - can have the knowledge of what the going rate is - and can easily take that info - and find someone who will pay them it -
maybe i mispoke - when i suggested that everyone is worth the same - since i KNOW they are not - There are many slackers out there - as we all know - and there are thos that just are just PITA's - however - i have seen it in optics as well as corp. america - when i worked in a insurance company - that woman are usually paid less then men - and taht favoitism can cause huge pay gaps with in a company or dept -

what bothers me - is - those coming in from the outside - usually are positioned right where an outstanding employee may be after 7 yrs with the company - or sometimes even higher -

i just don't know why money has to be kept a secret all the time -

[Bill West]

Optical is something you never really forget.....

....and some never really learn....look on here....I rest my case.

[OPTIDONN]

I feel that we have lost dorry :cry: he/she has not been back to Optiboard since the date of her/his first post. Some one dun scared him/her off...Fezz were you naughty?:finger:

[Snitgirl]

Helloooo Dorry..... welcome.:cheers:


Fezzy naughty? ahahahha:p

I feel that we have lost dorry :cry: he/she has not been back to Optiboard since the date of her/his first post. Some one dun scared him/her off...Fezz were you naughty?:finger:

[dorry]

I feel that we have lost dorry :cry: he/she has not been back to Optiboard since the date of her/his first post. Some one dun scared him/her off...Fezz were you naughty?:finger:

Lost, yes. Scared, no. The interview fell through at the last minute and they promoted from within.

HOWEVER, I was recently approached again.

Hmmm. Now I'm being offered 35% more on the base salary.

What to do, what to do :) Time for me to weigh the pros and cons.

[Fezz]

Well....welcome back. We missed you. Now get posting. You have a lot of catching up to do!!!!!!!! You may want to post this in the General Forum, you may get a few more responses!


Good luck!!

[john-atlanta]

salary.com (http://www.salary.com)

Why spend all this time guessing and listening to people on this board who are in different geographic areas with different job descriptions about what a fair salary is? Get some objective data from the above URL.

The value you will find here is in the insights as to the pros and cons of different jobs and companies, not salary, IMHO.


Lost, yes. Scared, no. The interview fell through at the last minute and they promoted from within.

HOWEVER, I was recently approached again.

Hmmm. Now I'm being offered 35% more on the base salary.

What to do, what to do :) Time for me to weigh the pros and cons.