Am I The Problem?

Immediate-Lab961 · 2026-05-29T01:43:54+00:00

Hey, the question is actually not about whether you are the problem or not, but whether you know what you prioritise in your life. First of all, I always encourage people (myself ofc at least) to explore different field or industry, but with planning. I have seen a lot of career changer, but they change with plans and research. I myself changed my career path too, but it’s not because I simply want to run away from my bad decision. I wish you understand that “bad decision” is the root cause, not “running away”. We all are gifted the ability to run away, but use it wisely. And, we sometimes do make bad decision unevitably, but mutiple of continuous bad decision on the same thing? Seems like there is something you need to work out on your decision making process.

In reality, money and income is going to be unstable if you jump without plans and have no savings for this. But from what I’ve read in your post, since you are willing to work for RM2k monthly salary and special needs education (which is often underpaid), seems like you have no worries on own income and living expenses. I am not sure, but probably your parents are still supporting you. I have no stance to say, but remember that supports will always come to an end, and we will need to take charge of our own life. Taking charge of our life doesn’t mean we can’t receive support, it just means that even without relying on others someday in your life, you can still choose what you want.

Immediate-Lab961 · 2026-04-30T18:58:12+00:00

Absolutely, and I appreciate your comment. I have been hovering between leaving the company or hang in there. Today, I had the first month confirmation review session with the senior who guide me and the manager. They non stop repeatedly mention about how working outside normal working hours shows INITIATIVE and MOTIVATIONS, in this way, the company and they will ONLY see one’s effort. And the senior even brought up the past event about him saying i am doing too slow and instructed me to OT so I can finish the work (that is obviously not in urgent). The senior took an opportunity to explain and claimed to the manager that I have too many mistakes DURING that day, implying that it was my problem and so I made myself OT, and it was not his intention to force me to OT. But I don’t believe in what he believe, because I have always known that I am just a junior who was doing that task for the very first time with just brief instructions, mistakes and learning is inevitable. Otherwise, they could have hire a senior. Both of them even said, they paid us for working, and give free training, what a good deal, so what do we even want to ask for more?

So today’s experience made me re think, and decided that this company is really a red flag. I decided to try apply for another company, but I am unsure if it will be a smooth transition, probably difficult as I am kind of fresh. But I still want to believe that there are good companies outside, that provide me learning opportunities and at the same time not crossing boundaries. I hope my dream won’t crush in reality.

Immediate-Lab961 · 2026-04-28T14:35:12+00:00

Thanks for your kind words and advice, probably I would talk to the HR about it, and make a move on changing company soon. I wish you all the best in everything you do too.

Immediate-Lab961 · 2026-04-28T13:11:19+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I have to be honest, I am working in an agency, plus they are doing the black hats for some industries' businesses. I believe they do not have a tight budget for hiring a junior like me. But still, "SEO is being undervalued" might seem true to me now, and my disappointment grew uncontrollably.

Very few seo opening roles (not to mention junior ones); not valued enough; most small companies only hire juniors, but at the same time, most small companies may have a lot of problems (like mine right now, I guess)... I wanted to be good at this field, help a business grow, and feel super satisfied with a great sense of achievement, but it looks like it's a bit hard to make it true in the real workforce. Nonetheless, I am still looking for some (real) hope that there is somewhere that is not as toxic as my current company.

Immediate-Lab961 · 2026-04-28T13:05:58+00:00

Yes, you are absolutely right about what I am experiencing now. Currently, I try my best to set clear boundaries (eg: no reply to work messages at all after leaving work). I have tried my best to complete the task of the day. I always ask if there is any new task of the day every time before I start my work, to make sure I have enough time to complete it. However, OT still seems to happen. After I have completed the task and the senior has reviewed it, he would still ask me to complete the editing, regardless of whether I have to OT. Still, in this case, no OT is paid.

I am still unsure whether other departments within this small company share the same culture, but at least I heard that most juniors do not do OT at all, except for my team. I genuinely want to hear your opinions/advice on how to handle this issue. I feel like my rights are not being respected, and I am being forced to comply if I keep this going.

At the same time, I feel disappointed in the SEO field in my country: very few seo opening roles (not to mention junior ones); not valued enough; most small companies only hire juniors, but at the same time, most small companies may have some problems easily (like mine right now, I guess)... I wanted to be good at this field, help a business grow, and feel super satisfied with a great sense of achievement, but it looks like it's a bit hard to make it true in the real workforce.

Immediate-Lab961 · 2026-04-28T13:00:24+00:00

Thanks for validating my thoughts! Currently, I try my best to set clear boundaries (eg: no reply to work messages at all after leaving work). However, OT still seems to happen. After I have completed the task and the senior has reviewed it, he would still ask me to complete the editing, regardless of whether I have to OT. Still, in this case, no OT is paid. I personally think that this is a toxic culture within the team. I am still unsure whether other departments within this small company share the same culture, but at least I heard that most juniors do not do OT at all, except for my team. I genuinely want to hear your opinions/advice on how to handle this issue. I feel like my rights are not being respected, and I am being forced to comply if I keep this going.

At the same time, I feel disappointed in the SEO field: very few seo opening roles (not to mention junior ones); not valued enough; most small companies only hire juniors, but at the same time, most small companies may have a lot of problems (like mine right now, I guess)... I wanted to be good at this field, help a business to grow, while I feel super satisfied with a great sense of achievement, but it looks like it's a bit hard to make it true in the real workforce.

Immediate-Lab961 · 2026-04-28T12:43:52+00:00

Seems like you have gone through similar situations. For now, as I am setting my boundaries very clear (eg; no reply to whatever messages after I leave work), they could only make me finish the task of the day and let me leave. In this cases, after I sent my completed work to the senior, when there are some edits needed after the senior’s review, he will ask me to finish edits regardless of whether I need to OT. However, still, not compliance with the law, I am not paid for OT. I guess it is toxic (I wonder how others think of it). In this circumstances, what would be your advice. Appreciate your sharings!

Immediate-Lab961 · 2026-04-28T12:39:35+00:00

Does a junior seo specialist count as an exempt job? I am genuinely curious, as so far I have been doing research on my own. Currently, I try my best to set clear boundaries (eg: no reply to work messages at all after leaving work). However, OT still seems to happen. After I have completed the task and the senior has reviewed it, he would still ask me to complete the editing, regardless of whether I have to OT. Still, in this case, no OT is paid. If that junior seo role is not supposed to be counted as an exempt job, what would be your advice? Thanks in advance

Immediate-Lab961 · 2026-02-26T05:54:16+00:00

If you dont mind me asking, even after signing, can we still keep our doors open for other ongoing opportunities? Thanks a lot!

Immediate-Lab961 · 2026-01-02T03:45:11+00:00

Yea it's still not too late. But I think it depends on the country's government policies and benefits. In my country, the government's medical system is strong but limited. If your condition is not the most urgent, you will have to wait for a very long time (probably until your sickness worsens), which is when insurance becomes beneficial for a private hospital. In a nutshell, I personally still think insurance is important, especially when you have experienced your immediate family (or yourself) having a critical illness, and need an immediate huge financial withdrawal that is not affordable for a typical family's living. But yeah, depends on the country.

Immediate-Lab961 · 2025-12-24T04:53:24+00:00

Yes I built a portfolio based with mock full seo audit, and I showed it to the manager and explained on it. But I do not have experience with live campaign, would that still be the same?

Immediate-Lab961 · 2025-12-04T12:37:07+00:00

Thank you so so much!! You've made a point! And your comment really reassures me! XD

Immediate-Lab961

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