How did you get a well paying job?

[Baileysoncereal]

I see threads on here all the time of people talking about their v high incomes
And I read somewhere that the national average is 38k, which I have to say not a lot of people around me make.

I make 22k a year.
I’m 27 and have bought my own home, I’m good at saving and know I’m very fortunate, especially when lots of people are struggling for work, but I’m hoping to start a family and just struggling to see how I could afford to support one.

I don’t have a degree, but I’m willing to work hard. I look for jobs that say I can develop, can do training and there’s room for progression etc. but when I start that’s not the case (for anyone on my teams, so it’s not just me)

I come from a customer service background and have worked for some big companies (admin roles, but not call centre) and have experience supervising teams too.

But I just can’t seem to make above 22k and every job I see advertised is 17-23k a year.

What can I do to improve my chances?
And how did you become successful in your role, if you came from a similar background to me?

Get some qualifications, something vocational which can command a higher salary.

The thing that stood out to me is that you said you've applied for jobs which promise progression and you are not given it. Are you expecting too much too soon? You normally need to prove yourself before they will give you opportunities. If your line manager thinks you have one eye on the exit door as you start, they are unlikely to want to invest in you.

Also try targeting organisations like the NHS where you may be able to be sponsored for training, or can apply for other roles within the organisation. I know of lots of people who have started off in entry level roles and been promoted. There is an element of luck ie being in the right place at the right time, but just getting your head down and getting in with things goes a long way.

Get on LinkedIn etc and get a good online presence. Make good contacts and ask for online recommendations to raise your profile.

I agree with a PP that qualifications are something that will allow you to jump a rung or two and command a higher salary. Although I have had a lot of luck, worked hard and been in the right place at the right time, I wouldn’t have gotten my first job without my degree, because it was relevant to the role.

So perhaps having a look at the sort of roles you’d like, and making some professional connections at this level, might be useful. You can then find out what qualifications people in these roles have and see if you can do some part time training/ education.

I agree that skills and qualifications are the way forward. Also with prospective jobs, see if you can find out whether there’s a real prospect for development and promotions. Sometimes joining a smaller company in a growth phase can mean you become senior as the company grows.

For now, you could enquire at your current company whether there is extra training you can do that will support your current role while giving you a few more strings to your bow?

I’m paid more than I could have imagined as a child but I went to a good university and then chose a profession which required further qualifications. I then stuck with that profession and become more specialised over 10 years. I know you’re not starting off with a graduate degree but I think the same premise applies; employers will pay more for skills that are less readily available.

Also if you do have DC soon, whether you choose to go back full or part time (rightly or wrongly) generally makes a significant difference to your pay. I’ve mostly worked full time since having children but I did have spells of part time and it was the worst! Paid less for not a significant amount less work, a lot of stress (ensuring things were being managed on my day(s) off) and on top of that all the downsides in terms of reputation, respect etc. It just wasn’t worth it. I don’t feel my kids suffered as a result of me working full time - we have a close bond and they are cheerful happy kids.

Good luck!

Degree, Masters degree and change jobs religiously every two years! I earn 50k but that's after taking a pay cut when I had the DC, would have been on over 65k if I hadn't stepped down.

Qualifications and move regularly, every two years.

Also agree about switching jobs. I think women in general avoid doing this, particular after having children. Personally I’ve found it well worth the risk and temporary extra pressure when job hunting. With my last move I increased my pay by over 30%! And ended up with a much better employer.

Degree even though it’s not at all linked to
What I do and I don’t make mega bucks but I know that’s why I’m on a decent level for my type of role.
I would definitely try and do something to up your qualifications higher NVQ’s or anything linked to your sector that gives you a boost up on paper.

I put myself through night school while working full time to get qualified. I told my boss I wanted a role in X and I kept badgering until I got it. Once in that department I worked really hard (put myself in hospital!) to get promoted.
Since having children though I've stayed at one level because I can't do everything so I've parked it until I can put some more energy into it!

To add to the above about getting some extra qualifications, sometimes it's just the geographical area you live in and you may have to physically move to earn more. That can obviously come with a higher cost of living, but it can be worth it for a few years to get ahead and then move back to your original area to higher roles than you're at now.

I have a degree and masters. My work needs minimum of a degree but also 5+ years experience so I worked in different roles for several years gaining it and developing skills via consultancy work which gave a wide range of high end projects.

I have similar skills to you, try to apply them in a higher paying industry.

I'm a PA, but in the pharmaceutical industry which generally pays very well. So I earn in the high 30's for a job that might be in the mid 20's in another industry.

Not settling. My life would have been far easier if I had said £X amount of salary is fine. Instead, I've pushed myself to apply for higher earning roles. Have confidence in your own ability.

I had to spend a long time in higher education (7 years, PhD) to get my job but now I earn 55k and would be guaranteed to earn at least that in any future job thanks to national pay scale. Qualifications definitely do help, otherwise it’s harder to differentiate yourself. And yes also to changing companies every so often although not so often that you look flakey.

It's worth remembering that it varies massively according to where you live. Jobs in London pay a lot better than places in the north /west, as the living costs are much higher

I have worked for the same company since 1994 so you don't always have to move around. I don't have a degree or particularly good exam results but have always been a grafter. I've worked my way up over the years with several promotions and now have a very good salary. I also love my job and the people I work with so I am very fortunate.

I don’t earn mega money as I work in HE, I was on just over £50k full time (now just over £40k for 4 days post DD).
I have a long career in HE where pay grades are national and now live in a cheaper part of the UK which makes it go further. I have undergrad and postgrad quals including an MBA (could have earned far more in private sector but it didn’t appeal) and in the early years worked my arse off. I’m coasting now for sure whilst I juggle DD and work but after 21 years I deserve a bit of a mental break. I’m sure I’ll progress again but am enjoying the work life balance at the moment. In my 20’s I moved role very frequently and took on all sorts of projects for no extra money, but it paid
dividends long term. Seniors wanted me in their teams, so I was valued.
Now I’m the senior.

I’ve worked for same organisation for 20 years. But I’ve moved jobs within it and made contacts. I did trying and have relevant qualifications. But the jobs I’ve got have all got me different experience. Get some qualifications.

I have no degree or qualifications other than standard GCSEs and A-Levels.

I have worked for the same 2 companies my whole adult life, 6 years at one then 14 years at current. I move roles fairly frequently though, usually because I'm poached by another team, I have not applied for or interviewed for a job for about 7 years but have progressed during that time through 3 roles.

Just for context I started at 17 on min wage, and am currently 37 on £50k base with up to 10% annual bonus.

The only advice I can offer is to make sure you do your job to the best of your ability and speak up if you have solutions to problems or suggestions for improvements. Don't pick holes and raise lots of issues for someone else to fix, come up with the solution and present that. Take opportunities that are offered and ask to be involved in new projects/initiatives.

I have a degree but haven’t used it.

Started in my company on £17k in a contact centre on the phones. Now two grades higher on £44k. I have worked for this company for nearly 14 years, I joined when I was made redundant after the 2007 market crash.

If I joined at my grade with a relevant qualification then I might be able to ask for more money, but I’m about half way between the highest and lowest salaries for my grade.

There’s always jobs going, happy to share where by PM.

I did a degree in a humanities subject, got a 1st, did a masters then didn't get a single job I applied for.

Took any old sales job I could as I was so broke and worked my way up in the company. At 27 I started my own business and made over £100k in my first year. It was a whirlwind. I did work hard but truth be told I was lucky I worked in a lucrative industry. So I'd say, go into IT or financial services, any industry which is cash rich if that's a priority. I find you can move in companies much easier once you're through the door.

@MustardMitt

I have a degree but haven’t used it.

Started in my company on £17k in a contact centre on the phones. Now two grades higher on £44k. I have worked for this company for nearly 14 years, I joined when I was made redundant after the 2007 market crash.

If I joined at my grade with a relevant qualification then I might be able to ask for more money, but I’m about half way between the highest and lowest salaries for my grade.

There’s always jobs going, happy to share where by PM.

Would you mind sharing with me via DM? I'm in the same predicament as OP and would be really interested!

Get some qualifications that are in demand. PRINCE2 project management or CIM marketing certificate. Or languages are in high demand given the situation with Brexit.

There are an awful lot of people who don't understand the importance that the (eye rolling) graft of not fucking up your free education can so pay dividends.

I mean, look at the level of literacy of so many people who have spent 12 years in state sponsored education. What, exact, were they doing?

My income is not 'high'; basic is £39,000; but being a HCP brings in a lot of overtime, out of hours shift allowances, etc.

Now here's the interesting thing. In my role (band 6 HCP with degree (equivalent; I'm 58! 😂)), we take on a load of Band 2/3 HCAs. Increasingly they're really quite young, many with A levels but in poorly curated subjects, getting low-ish grades- who then go and do an access course to uni to become a HCP like me. 4 years all up.

I cannot deny I 🙄 that a one year access course for someone without A levels at all can suddenly become considered the equivalent of 3 good A levels; but I don't make the rules.

But this is the path many are taking, now that we can all see that, with a HCP degree, you start on £25k, band 5, and can relatively easily, depending on your chutzpah, be a band 8 in 7-8 years.

Sales jobs can be extremely well paid, if you're good at sales!