To ask how you've reached a high salary? 50k+

In my industry, recruitment is very specialised, there are only really 2 people who are worth talking to in terms of having access to opportunities. I'm in Dublin, so a much smaller market than London.

You have to find the right people. That might take a lot of hunting around / asking your peers.

I’m a teacher at an independent school on 54 k. Second in Dept and 58 so top of scale.

What do you analyse?

It depends on industry but I’ve found recruiters find me through LinkedIn or through word of mouth. I’ve also found private sector employers literally reach out and ask me to work for their company but as a consultant focusing on my existing policy area.

Everyone’s mileage may vary but mine has been more they come to me rather than me seek them.

Sorry to interrupt on Op’s thread, and sorry for stupid question but I was just wondering how do people ‘get out there’ or ‘connect with recruiters’?

I use LinkedIn, have tried signing up to different recruitment agencies, sent polite emails, filled out recruiters candidate web forms, as well as applying for their jobs postings but never hear back. Also tried smaller or niche agencies, some of which who claim to help junior candidates

My friend who works in recruitment says she is swamped by messages so can’t respond to everyone

Ah apprentices are a great way to ge the experience. They do apprenticeships up to band 7 now I think!

definitely cast your net wide in terms of opportunities and see where you land that you enjoy! With some clinical experience you could reasonably look at MDT coordinator roles, any administrative roles in patient flow team such as discharge coordinators, cancer pathway coordinators etc or project management/PMO functions. If you are interested in a role or function link in with them and ask if you can shadow for an hour or half a day etc.

glad you’re feeling motivated! Go get em!

I tend to find most high-earners move jobs every 2,4,5 years. Saw a lot when interviewing for head teacher roles, where the applicants had moved jobs several times over the 15-20 years previous

But don't they spend all their time finding their feet in new roles, getting to grips with the employer's culture and expectations etc?

I've worked for the same organisation for a long time, but taken on a new role within the last couple of years and TBH I wish I hadn't bothered - I've been given a huge mess to sort out with little support because the two people who did it before looked like they knew what they were doing on the surface, but any kind of digging and it all falls apart.

At least I know the people I'm working with, have employment rights, don't have probation to pass etc. If I'd come in from outside, I'd be constantly worried I'd be fired because all I raise are problems that they've happily ignored for about 20 years.

I tend to find most high-earners move jobs every 2,4,5 years. Saw a lot when interviewing for head teacher roles, where the applicants had moved jobs several times over the 15-20 years previous.

I hate commenting on people's salaries, but 30k is not that far above NMW now. especially in a job you don't like. Get yourself on LinkedIn, and start putting yourself out there. Connect with recruiters, Yes, I know this all sounds very corporate wanker, but so what. What do you have to lose?

Well I started with a very privileged background, went to top private school, bummed around for a few years doing various things, then went to uni, dropped out and fluked into a job with a Software House in the early 90s when I didn't even know what that was, worked my way up, became a Director then went self employed by which time I was a high earner. So a combination of privilege, luck and finding something I was really interested in and then working every hour God sent for a few years (but loving it)

120k

Locum psychologist

Love my job

8 years of study

I didn’t even know that was possible! To be patient facing while working from home. That sounds really amazing! Your job sounds fantastic! I’ve been interested in SaLT ever since one of my sons needed the service. I’m just trying to predict what will be more in demand in future. I did a fine art degree as I was interested in Art Therapy but there aren’t many jobs available or any funding for that in the NHS. So I’m trying to do my research and check what will be more needed: SaLT, CBT, OT etc… what will allow me some flexibility and maybe even be able to occasionally work from home. Thanks once again!

Wow that’s amazing! You’re an inspiration! Thank you so much for the brilliant advice. I’ll definitely be doing that before any interviews. I’m hoping to apply for an apprenticeship when it comes up as I enjoy studying and would like to push myself. I’m currently looking into SaLT and counselling/CBT. I’ve got an Art degree but have worked as a band 2 and now 3 for the last 4 years. Thanks once again! I’m feeling really motivated.

This was me - didn't know what I wanted to do post-uni, stumbled into a sector where my personal soft skills were highly valued, used these opportunities to build other skills. I'm 34, in science communications working for a not-for-profit org, earning £80k. Went for roles in scicomms across charity, non-profits, ALBs etc and only took jobs with upward trajectory.

Build up skills, stick with jobs min 18 months, move on if no opportunities to improve or be promoted.

Everyone I know who earns over £50k works in sales, tech, or EA. I know of London based nannys who earn that much too. Obviously there's a bunch of other roles that earn that amount too, those are just the only ones I actually know the salary of

Kist replying to OPs first post

Fix your target outcome - desired job role with salary

Work backwards from that and what needs to happen get there

Formulate a plan with clear steps

But above all else accept it will take time, take immediate pressure off and slowly step by step work the plan

Acceptance and patience are your friends while quietly keeping an eye on that target outcome.

You are still quite young and can retrain or extend

Second this idea. That was my original career plan and it would have been so fascinating!

Also I got a lot richer when I learned to budget and plan my spending properly.

I don’t have a partner though. Getting one would massively help my finances.

It’s funny I “know” 50k is a high salary but to me that seems like a low one.

For me how I achieved my “high” salary (currently £95k + bens + bonus) was my chosen field.

Degree + post degree qualification (ACA) then worked in the audit and risk field ever since in FS.

I however have done loads of side steps and shuffling around so behind most of my cohort salary wise.

Do a lot of research on what you enjoy and what you can make money from and then consider what training / qualifications you need to get there. A life coach could also help immensely.

I work in chronic fatigue service. We see patients with ME/CFS and Long Covid. Understandably, most of our patients are too fatigued to be able to handle travelling to appointments so the entire team works from home. We each offer 1 day a week outpatient appointments at a hospital but in three years I've been in the service, I only had two patients request it so I travel to the office maybe 6 times a year at most.
SaLT is another good one especially if you are interested in paediatrics or neuro. Loads of interesting opportunities in these services.

That sounds brilliant! I’m looking out for apprenticeship opportunities currently and interested in Speech and Language Therapy (can potentially work in schools after) or Mental Health (CBT and counselling as could work from home?) Do you mind me asking what you are currently doing? It sounds amazing!

No but I know people who have. All left after being streamed out to other posts in CS. Most on promotion as they were overqualified in the first instance. If you’re London based / commutable distance, there are lots of HEO posts in Whitehall at the moment. SEO is the next step above and lots there too, but from what I’ve seen (and my own campaigns), SEO requires more direct experience than HEO-entry.

Move to the tech industry and into sales. All you need are good communication skills and be organised- a teacher can demonstrate those skills. Entry level business development roles can pay 50k-100k on target earnings. This is basically cold calling, lead finding and appointment setting. Move to a full sales role within a few years and you would get double or triple that.

Well that was very silly, and a bit self defeating.

Well you definitely won’t progress if you keep telling yourself this story.

I earn £64k as a G7. That includes London weighting and a digital skills allowance.