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

I did an engineering degree, worked in non glamourous summer jobs each summer through uni.
Got a graduate training program place. Moved to a totally different part of the country each year for 4 years in a row and put a huge amount of time into work and any career development or learning opportunity I could find, including a lot of the ‘rubbish jobs’ like meeting minutes, or writing up plans, or slides for other people that got me exposure to a wider range of stuff.

Worked for my chartership. Worked on site based jobs that many being away from home half the year.

Got to the point where I was a chartered engineer with a solid chunk of broad experience and some specialist expertise. Used to be responsible for signing off on things that could kill 156 people if they went wrong, or cost £1.2 million a day in lost revenue. That came with a lot of extra hours beyond the 37.5 on the contract, and a lot of dealing with crap.

Im sure there are jobs out there with high pay and no crap to deal with. My current one has far less crap than my previous ones, and still >£50k pay, but the experience from the previous jobs is a key bit of why I’ve got this one. So there were necessary evils along the way.

I think there’s a bit of reality of what you’re willing to tolerate in exchange for what. That balance sits in different places for different people. Eg. In teaching, 7 weeks in a row of poor behaviour and then a weeks break away from pupils might seem a way to make that manageable to some but not for others.

Generally, you’ll need to find something that uses your skills and experience. Your uni careers department might still support alumna.

@Redvelvetdreams1

Sorry, what does 'streaming out' mean?

For me it started with getting a qualification that I knew would always be in demand and was transferable. I qualified as a Chartered Accountant working in practise then moved into industry, initially moving around departments via internal promotions then into more operational management and finally project management / business improvement roles. Working in the private sector, being willing to ask for pay rises (and having the evidence to back it up) and changing employers also helped. I've now done a complete 360 and earn about a third of what I could earn elsewhere. I've moved to the voluntary sector and absolutely love my job.

That’s great for you. Lots of companies absolutely will verify this, usually via reference. I think advising the OP to add 20k onto her existing salary in the hope that no one will notice she’s lying is unwise.

Actually, if it sounds plausible, they don't verify.
It only happened to me once, when they asked to see previous pay checks.
But earlier in my career I was actually advised to this by a headhunter: I had been in the same company for a number years and been promoted internally and was woefully underpaid, to the point where it didn't seem credible that I had all the responsibility I did for my pay. Headhunter basically told me to add on about £20k to my figure when I was talking about it to other companies, and I did. And since it was what the market rate was, nobody questioned it.

I had really good jobs post uni but got married, had a baby and became a SAHM with a husband on a fast track all consuming trajectory in banking going from 34k - £250k within about 3 years whereby it was clear only one of us could have the big job. Did a few part time local easy jobs for a few years and went back into proper career type work in 2018 on about £30k. Quickly pushed myself forward to a more senior role on 50k and then had a severe personal tragedy, took a year out and took an easier role on 43k. asked for a payrise 6 months later to £45k and then decided I was underselling myself and moved from voluntary sector to local government back to £50k. Very quickly got irritated by seeing lots of younger women out earning me when I clearly had more experience. Applied internally for a couple of roles making it clear I didn’t feel happy at the level I was working. Moved up to £62k and now at £65k

Will aim for the next level in about 18 months to 2 years which should take me to £75k and to be honest I imagine I’ll stick there

its not a bad salary for local government but obviously not as much as similar level roles in private sector

to earn money OP you have to move. Stating where you are you’ll get drip fed a bit here and a bit there and you have to drive yourself forward

I’ve not read the whole thread, but have read your answers. If you have a PGCE, why aren’t you teaching? You’d get to high £30ks relatively quickly and getting to £50k+ is common if you do leadership roles. Is there a reason you’re not exploring that?

Compliance Team Unit or a Corporate Tax Unit, or counter terrorism unit ?

@ThisOldThang Then don’t contribute to the so-called thread de-rail with your condescending nonsense.

Your advice is terrible. You cannot just make up your existing salary, companies will verify this. Ridiculous.

Also a civil servant.

I joined as an EO in 2017 and have been a G7 for almost a year now earning circa £60k. The civil service paid for my level 7 qualification.

CTU is boring, it's training. As someone else said the bulk recruitment is to reach the increase in compliance officers that the government has committed to, to close the tax gap. It's not a reflection of turnover.

However, if you don't like the role then apply for others. Choose a profession, seek out a role that will pay for development and get your head down.

I was earning ‘a high salary 50k+’ in my first job, sales and marketing role within a global branded company.

Post graduate governance qual and work in the private sector. Worked way up and now 13 years qualified and well paid. Got here by long hours and slog and currently finding my senior role joyless. I also don’t want to move further. Currently paid £75k.

Sorry if I’ve missed it but why not teach full time? I’m on around 55k, for that I teach full time and private tutor an additional 2.5 term time hours per week.

I think you're derailing the thread.

The OP has stated that she's got a degree and a PGCE, but has ended up in an entry level civil service job that doesn't pay enough for her long-term aspirations.

She's asked for advice on how she can improve her life, not a pity party revolving around your perceptions of social justice.

I've posted advice based upon my experiences working in IT.

If you have any relevant advice on how the OP can increase her earning power, I'm sure the OP will be grateful for your input.

@Redvelvetdreams1 - take a look at that job advert I posted. It really doesn't seem to have any real skill requirements beyond MS Office and a willingness to travel. It's the company's own equipment and they won't expect you to have any prior knowledge of it. Due to the industry, it's probably mostly men and they might be looking to hire women.

£40k-75k - it's worth a shot.

If they ask, tell them you're on £60k and you'll need £75k given the requirement to travel.

Another grade 7 civil servant. I did the full technical training (Tax Specialist Programme) and I am paid over £67k. There are opportunities if you look for them in the civil service.

DH is a police sergeant with 20yrs service

A friend of mine did a Level 3 apprenticeship with civil service at 18 instead of uni and just never left. Now a grade 7, earning well over £50k. Just years of courses, moving to new roles, secondments, always learning new things and moving up, playing the game. The only person I know to buy a house at 23.

Also, speaking from experience, just go for a job even if you don't think you have experience. 60% of any role is just learning on the job, 20% is transferrable skills, 20% is formal learning. I didn't realise this and spent 8 years working entry level jobs just trying to break the £20k mark. A agency pointed this out and I went from a £17k job to a £38k job within a few weeks. (Applied for a job outside of the agency! Ironic.)

And if you go for it, get an interview but don't get picked then you'll have proper feedback to feed the fire next time.

you could apply for the TSP scheme through HMRC? It’s quite competitive but a good salary and prospects once you’re in.

60k qualified social worker, now in management. I love my job, it truly is where my interest lies and can’t ever see me doing anything else.
however it’s hard work and I often get a bit green eyed at my friends who wfh (and tell me how they spent the day not working and watching tv -I understand these folk are in minority. They obviously have different jobs and get paid about half my wage.. my point is money isn’t everything. I get good money but I would like to slow down a bit 🤣

Correct me if I'm wrong but you are a trainee/apprentice at the moment? What is the scope for when you are fully trained?

You are asserting that everyone can get a ‘senior position’. There are nowhere near enough of those jobs, even if there were many suitable applicants.

Many people, for myriad reasons, will only have ‘entry level’ jobs. The issue absolutely is that pay is not in line with the rising costs of living. People need to be paid more. Not everyone wants or can get senior positions. This does not justify them being paid a less than living wage.

@ThisOldThang

Your posts are really helpful. Certainly given me something to think about. Thank you.

I'd love to know more about a 'basic admin' role paying £50,000...