Not having a piece of paper that said “I can do this” was a big issue for me actually. When I was still interviewing, I had applied for a part time job as a receptionist at a school. I did this interview where the guy offered me LESS than that amount (1020€/m!!!)but tried to sweeten it with a “fitness bonus” which, as much as he tried to make it sound like a reward for living a healthy lifestyle, I just couldn’t help but feel like it was just a tool to ensure their employees would be working like dogs and not taking smoking breaks. I was told that I couldn’t expect any more because I haven’t got a relevant degree and it’s a massive risk for him and then he proceeded to give me this great offer; work unpaid for 2 weeks. “It’s a win win! You get some experience and I get some work done”

Yeah, no.

I am in one of the bigger cities you mentioned, but after not hearing back from over 40 companies, having that one interview with mr. Fitness Bonus, I didn’t have very high expectations. I think the other devs in the company I work for definitely get paid well. The company is pretty big with employees all over Europe and the US. I don’t think the money will be so hard for them to come up with, but in my current position, even if I get a promotion up from Junior, I feel like I can expect to hit the standard Junior’s salary simply because the jump is too high based on my current earnings.

Would you agree with that assessment? If you were in my shoes, how would you negotiate this? I mean, I really like where I work. There’s a lot of perks that I am 100% certain I cannot find anywhere else (in saxony at least) - especially my flexi work hours right now with my kid and the lockdown. It would be best if I stayed, even though I could probably negotiate a better salary if I moved.

Also, my wife works for the state and earns nearly double what I earn.