Looking for a way to leave my job?

Currently I am (realistically) a legal secretary/paralegal/legal assistant/office administrator/human resource manager/"go-for"/courrier/and meals delivered. My "title" is paralegal. I have been working at a small law firm for 2 years, and have started looking for a new job. However, I have a good friendship with my boss and 1 other co-worker, however, I am underpaid (by $5,000 annually). I have been interviewing and my boss knows and is a little disappointed. How can i leave on good terms?
Additional Details
I have tried asking for a raise, I even told him I would give him 2 months to think about it, alas, has not worked... and I can't just walk out, i have a daughter...

I am over worked, under paid and way under appreciated

LT Dan

I would say that if you have a good firendship with your boss, you probably are not under-appreciated. The appreciation may not come in the form of compensation, but its rare to have a good relationship, let alone a friendship, with your boss if he treats you as if you are worth less than you are.

You have already asked for a raise, and they cannot, or will not, give you one. That is not reason enough in itself to leave under bad terms. Go find what you are looking for, and when you find it, turn in your notice. Let your boss know that the only reasons you are leaving are financial and or career related, and that you have truly enjoyed working for him. If the spirit hits you, get him a gift.

Obviously, if you had a friendship outside of work, continue it. If not, and you think you might like to have it, offer it.

Most people understand when you need to move on for career reasons. Remember too, that he may need a reference someday, or a job tip.

Good luck

jargent100

I feel the best way to handle this is to discuss with your boss why you're leaving. If it's just money, perhaps he can give you a raise. If it's career opportunities, or a better overall position, just explain what you're looking for, and why you don't feel like you can find it there. If you just think it's time for a change of scene, that's valid too. There's no reason not to be honest in this kind of scenario, especially since he knows you're looking.

jessica

Being a smaller firm - they might not be able to afford what you feel is your market value. You need to keep interviewing and just let them know that you truly learned a lot and appreciate them but you have to better your life, advance your career, and overall take care of your family. There should be no hard feelings. Wait until you get a written offer before leaving or turning in your notice.

libralov3

i am in the same situation..i do all this sh it and is under paid..i do not have a good realtionship with my boss...but all i can say is keep interviewing and leave when you get something good....i already have had interviews and will continue until i get something..my boss treats me like sh it and menawhile the bookkkeeper who only does hard work once a month is treated like a queen she does not have any skills and gets paid 50k and i get pay 28k when i am doing all the work

Curious1

I was in a similar situation myself. Except my employer not only under paid me, they refused to give me health benefits (for full time employees). I brought this up during a review and they didn't do anything about it. After looking for several months, I found a similar job with benefits, two weeks vacation and other perks. Sometimes employers are too cheap to give you a well deserved raise. They like to get away with paying people with the least pay while making the most profit. In my case, they tried to convince me to stay but I said "no way" and the worst part is that when they were hiring for new people, they learned their lesson and were willing to pay them health benefits!

You should definitely move on. You will definitely make a lot more somewhere else. Sometimes employers take people for granted. Since your boss knows and you will be leaving on good terms, you shouldn't worry about it. After all, he's not paying your bills, you are.

slopestylist

are you ready? go up to your boss and say "I QUIT", walk out the door, take all your stuff and never come back.

yako46

They should understand your situation and should be happy for you. It's normal for them to be sad. I had to make a smiliar decision, but I kept a great friendship with my former company and still visit every now and then. It's hard, but you need $ to move one. Good luck!

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