My station is looking for an Assisant Cheif. I was interested and asked what the pay was. Basically they said there was no raise in pay to move up into this position. So they want to promote but not pay. It seems like the TV business is finding more and more ways of taking advantage of us. Hiring new photogs for pennies and promoting vets without increasing salaries. Anyone else experience this?
Assistant Chief Photog Position
- Thread starter gump152
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Man on the Street
Member
Cutting costs is just reality in our business now. No station is going to spend if they don't have to.
If a similar proposal was made at my station, I have to be honest and say I would go for it, even for the same pay. There would almost certainly be some unofficial benefits, such as pseudo-management experience, you will be more top-of-mind to your superiors when other opportunities come up, and there's likely to be some chances to help determine your own fate assignment-wise, schedule-wise and otherwise.
Does it suck that there's no raise? Absolutely, and for a lot of people that's enough to say forget it, and I respect that. I do so the potential upside, though.
If a similar proposal was made at my station, I have to be honest and say I would go for it, even for the same pay. There would almost certainly be some unofficial benefits, such as pseudo-management experience, you will be more top-of-mind to your superiors when other opportunities come up, and there's likely to be some chances to help determine your own fate assignment-wise, schedule-wise and otherwise.
Does it suck that there's no raise? Absolutely, and for a lot of people that's enough to say forget it, and I respect that. I do so the potential upside, though.
Photographer
Well-known member
I agree with Man on the Street. Since the position would be pseudo-management you could put it on your resume as management. In the long run it would pay off. It all depends though on what your looking for in in your future. If management is not something your interested in then I can see why no pay increase would be a problem. I for one would take the job. Being a senior photog at a station doesn't do much for the resume but having a tie in with management no matter how small does. That can result in a brighter future.
Good luck if you take it.
Good luck if you take it.
PhrozenPhoto
Well-known member
Of course I would beware that the psuedo-management that everyone talks about doesn't come with the harsh reality of going to an exempt salaried employee, becuase then you have just lost money in the form of whatever OT you used to get.
Try and negotiate some other type of compensation. Maybe you don't have a take home car. If not, use the position to get your own dedicated equipment or vehicle. If you already have that, maybe they'll exempt you from the on call rotation. Getting back my life to any degree was as valuable as money. Maybe you can get your pick of the schedule if you don't already have a good one.
Use the chance to get the management experience. You'll need it if you want to move on later. There are ways to get "paid" without them having to fork over real dollars, which they won't do.
Use the chance to get the management experience. You'll need it if you want to move on later. There are ways to get "paid" without them having to fork over real dollars, which they won't do.
El Guapo
Well-known member
You know what?...don't take the job. Obviously you don't have the right attitude, nor temperament for the position.
I don't understand people that work in tv news and expect to find financial rewards. I knew (many years ago) that tv didn't pay well. However, I saw so many OTHER rewarding reasons to get involved in the business, I looked past the low pay.
Allow me to reword my previous post, so you might better understand my point of view:
...If getting a raise is the only reason you'd look to take a Chief job, you're doing it for the wrong reasons. I wanted to be a Chief because i wanted the opportunity to lead a staff of photogs...to motivate them, teach them, give them structure, praise them, fight for them, be their advocate, critique them...etc.
Maybe you need to ask yourself WHY ELSE you would consider the job...other than a raise.
soonershooter
Well-known member
SO, How's life at Wachovia?
I use to work at a shop where I was the Co-chief. It was never in title, not really in pay. It was just known and or assumed. I did the mentoring, some of the budgets, all of the tasks that were just not getting done. It is all important. No matter what experience you get or how you get it it does pay off. I put down a majority of what I did on my resume. I obviously got offered and excepted a Chief job. It still doesn't pay what it should in my bank account but it does pay off in my heart. I am now at a shop where I am wanted and needed. I get thanked everyday for helping and caring. I listen and share some of that experience with my guys. All of it wouldn't have been possible if I hadn't decided to make the place I worked at better in some way each day. It takes iniative and taking your lumps. Going the extra mile. Let's face it. The buisness is not ever going to pay us what we (photographers)are worth. In many minds we are replaceable. There are a fresh crop of youngsters arriving each year in May. Do what's right for you. Maybe the shop your at is not the right place for you, find a diffrent station and do better. Or stay and make the place your at better. I think however not putting your name in the hat for consideration. Will only put you in management's eyes not interested in moving up. If you do decide to give it a shot, and get passed over. Then that also tells you that it might not be the place for you. That's what got me looking for a better situation.
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