To wonder how you get that amazing career

[Mrswhiskerson]

There are a lot of people on here earning fifty k plus and I really admire them, a high flying career is what I have always wanted. i'M currently working as a clerical officer banking money filling in invoices on oracle etc and I am wondering what the next step is I want to have worked my
way into a really good well paidjob by the time ds is five , he is six months now. I would mostly like advice on what qualifications are best to take and what are the well paid jobs like? Is it having loads of money but no time ?

Okay, have name-changed but am regular poster.

I'm in my late 20s, and am on £50k + and bonus (hopefully) and this is what I did.
Worked arse off at A Levels - got excellent marks and into Russell Group Uni. Worked arse off some more - got good degree, spent most of that time working PT as well (though that was more lack of funds), but that helped develop numerous soft skills - negotiation, politeness when dealing with tons of crap and an excellent work ethic. Then, went on to do professional post-grad qualifications part time, whilst working full time (so effectively was working 8:30 to 10pm three days a week - the nights when I had classes and one night when I did prep work) and then between 8:30 and 6/7/8 pm (until everything was done) the rest of the week. And one day a weekend was dedicated to studying. I had very little semblance of a social life for about three years.
For the FT job - that was a degree of luck, but also being willing to work my socks off and take on anything, even if terrified (and I had a good manager). I came in as a temp, but was then kept on (after proving myself), and promoted when taken on on a permanent contract.
I then finished the studies, and started working longer (but not crazy) hours.

As to why I'm paid well?

1. There's a shortage of people with my skills at the moment, so I am contacted almost daily with new roles. This means I'm in a good position to negotiate pay etc. I am also considered to be one of the leaders in my field, which helps. But, I didn't acquire that knowledge by magic - I've read around my area of expertise outside of work hours (on the way in and out, when on vacation, in the evenings), I'm not afraid to ask questions and generally am a bit obsessive about my work (it is interesting though).
2. I moved. If I had stayed with my original employer, my salary would be about 25% lower - if you want have salary jumps, you have to move dept or company
3. I work in the City, so naturally salaries are higher than in other areas (e.g. Academia, teaching).

It's a combo of hard work, skill, talent and luck.

What reservations do you have about the OU - surely it would complement what you have already. I have been considering their postgrad courses as part of my retraining plan?

Oh, and, you have to be "male" (terrible generalisation, but I've had it repeated to me time and time again in career building workshops) about asking for things.
Generally speaking - woman are more reluctant to ask for promotions/payrises etc. as they expect their work to be noticed, whereas generally men will bring it to everyone's attention the minute they do something.

It can be tough - but don't be afraid to be ballsy and ask for what you want. Whether that be a new role, a promotion, a payrise. How are your managers supposed to know that this is what you're after if you don't ask?

I think that if you look at it in terms of job satisfaction rather than financial reward, the ascent to £50k is likely to be a less bumpier ride. Money is not really that motivating once you are on your way.

I live in des res part of NW London debt-free in a nice enough Victorian house, my friends (child-free workaholics) are typically in Holland Park luxury flats with scary mortgages (though obv earning enough to qualify for latter). I do not envy them in the slightest.

I recently read an article which stated that beyond £5k/month, most people do not actually become any happier. I found this to be true in my own case. My children are what make me happy and there is nothing I can't provide for them.

I know it sounds quite negative, but I've found all my working life that the fact that I did a "secretarial course", which my parents forced me to do, and then several secretarial jobs, that that is all I am treated as being worth by employers and potential employers. I have been for several interviews where I've been asked why I'm not wanting admin work anymore as that is my background. I got a job several years ago as an Estate Agent, which I thought I would really enjoy and would lead to higher earnings, but because I had a secretarial background, the manager decided I had to do all the secretarial/clerical work instead of negotiator work. I think sometimes having certain employment backgrounds can hold you back.

My DH is a higher earner, 50k+. He is a tradesman who is now self-employed. It was the self-employment that brought the higher earnings though, he would earn less than half of what he does now if he was to go and work for someone again.

namey namey will be like most of us who earn quite a lot. Most of the people I know who have have most of those things she mentioned.

And it's not male at all to puish for more pay and be the best in your field in the UK as I'm sure I am or think I am. It's as female as male and the sooner women can claw back our core values of ambition drive and strength the better. Women can have and are these things and they are virtues and not nasty male things.

I can certainly push for things and get my hard work noticed , I haven't got much time to post at the minute but just wanted to say thank you for all the advice . The mo ey is because I want my family to have a better quality of life my dh ds and I have all the love in the world and are very happy , but I do not want to spend my life scraping by as we are now ATM my coat is threadbare all our money goes on bills and ds and I just want to be able to provide for his future and save enough to give him a deposit or uni fees when he is of age money aside I have always wanted a career I have had ambition coupled with a lack of motivation which was down to self esteem issues which thankfully I have worked on now I feel ready to go so to speak, I will come back later and explain further .

Oooh ... Xenia complimented me! (kind of. Curses name change).

I would also recommend discussing your plans with your line manager, if possible, or finding someone who you admire/would like to emulate and ask them for advice on how to progress. Coming to MN for advice was a good idea - as you're going to get a wide range of opinions/life stories. When contemplating my career development I have always discussed things with people in similar roles at a more senior level. It can help in setting out "stepping stones" - small goals that you can reach and that can help you get where you want to go.

Would progression be possible in your current role, if, for e.g. you did extra training/studying? What you could do - is say that you would like to progress further, and would like to get qualifications, and see if your current employer would be willing to pay for that (in exchange for you staying on at completion).

Knowing that you would like to be in a good role in five years is a good start - it gives you something to work towards, you just need to fill in the details in between.

I agree that you need to shout loud about what you have achieved. Not just sit there and expect managers to notice - they won't.

I am fortunate that I am very targeted to save money - I am given a figure which I must achieve. When I achieve it I prove it to the nth degree, ask for a review, say 'I have done that, give me more money' and really be pushy. That said, the easiest way to get more money is to job hop.

To be honest though, once you are earning your dream salary it may not be the golden chalice you thought it would be. 4 years ago I would have been aghast if you told me I would be earning my current salary, however I don't feel rich beyond my wildest dreams (and I still wear Asda tights to work, but then again I am a tight git)

I did an LLB part time evenings (in UK) - I'm not a lawyer, but it did impress people/open doors etc.

And - if you have numerous quantifiable examples of how fabulous you are, that is even better. E.g. "when I did y, I saved the organisation £x"

Also, build networks. DH is incredible at this (much better than I am - I'm quite the misanthrope) and it has led to him getting his dream job. He planned that he wanted to move from his old dept into the current one about 2 years ago. Then, he prioritised any requests from the department that he wanted to move into, was extremely friendly and helpful to the heads of that dept. - became the person they went to to have issues resolved (they'd go to him before his boss, and had more respect for him). When it came to finding a new role (with encouragement from me) he started speaking to the senior people in the new dept, saying he was looking to move. One actually said to him "I would love to have you - I know you're good and would do better than our current guy". The current guy resigned, and DH had some interviews and walked into a role replacing someone more than 10 years his senior. He's just had a review (has been in the job about 3 months) - got a pay rise, promotion (though that was also to be in line with the new dept's standards) and bonus.

How about becoming a chartered accountant or chartered tax adviser? Start off with ATT/AAT? Then do CIMA/CTA?

I earn over that and only work 3 days a week 9-5. But it took me a long time - good degree from good uni/training to be accountant with big accountancy firm (3 years) and then I qualified as a tax adviser (2 more years) and then another 10 years of experience. I waited until I'd been working for around 8 years before I had DD, I don't think I could have got a parttime job before that and at the start I worked awful hours and I wouldn't have earned enough to cover childcare and I wouldn't have had time to do exams at same time as working if I already had kids.

I earn 40k and work about 38 hours a week in the charity sector. There are some people in the charity sector without many qualifications - although they are essential in some jobs.

You need to care about what you do, be good at it and be prepared to work your way up. But first you have to decide what kind of job you are looking for. Are you entrepreneurial, good at managing people or good with finance?

Once you have found what you like doing and could be good at then you need to look at what jobs pay well in that area of work.

There is no point just saying you want to earn a lot of money. As I know others have posted, people generally work hard to get a well paid job.

Find something you want to do, start at the bottom, and learn to enjoy the job. Throw yourself into the culture of the company, but choose an industry that pays well.

Prefereably a company based in London. You wont find many top end jobs outside of the capital.

If you enjoy it you'll get good at it. Better than everyone else in fact, with no need for playing politics to stand out from the crowd.

The money comes along soon afterwards when you know your value to the company and can negotiate hard for a payrise. If it doesnt, go it alone or move to a competitor on 50% more per month. Theres something satisfying in turning down a last ditch pay offer they should have made anyway, as you walk out the door.

Its tough work but you soon get into the work hard play hard culture. The idea is to get to a nice work/life seniority level, then coast :)

I was told am o.u. degree was often well regarded proved you could manage your time effectively

There are so many different issues.

1. It is certanily easier if you had the background of Oxbridge of requivalent 2/1, previous roles etc.

1. However anyone coming to a career change later in life without that kind of CV might well be regarded in the secretarial roles etc above - you get treated in a kind of rut. In fact when I taught myself to touch type in 1977 (I am the fastest typist I've ever met because I was writing a book aged 15) I was told to keep it quiet in the office because otherwise you might get lumbered with typing (in those days). So if you want to move up then etiher get new more qualifications now, do an MBA or whatever OR just think smart - it is possible to set up your own recruitment company. If it is allowed by your current employer (read the contract) you could start it at weekends from home to start with and only when it's profitable leave the other day job.

There is so much good advice on here I am really grateful.
To clear up a few things , I live in the North East work for the council and I am twenty seven.
I do realise that working my way up is going to be a lot of hard work and you don't get a good career with luck but I am a very hard worker and can take a lot of pressure so I am prepared for that . I come from a family who although very loving the general expectation was for me to find shop work or factory work and that be it (There is nothing wrong with this work btw) because that is the way they were brought up , with the exception of my dad who has always said I can do anything as long as I am prepared to work for it.
Money wise , Yes I do want a good wage as I said before I would like to provide my ds with things like a deposit for a house or driving lessons when he is older and take him on holidays abroad , I would like a nice car and to not have to worry about bills but i dont think this makes me materialistic.
I like the idea of healthcare recruitment or business analysis as I find business very interesting . I never had very good careers guidance and it would amaze me when i worked in a shop when i would open accounts for people and their salary would be fifty grand plus I always thought how do you get there ? and thats what I want, but I do realise i might have come across as being all about the money I do want to enjoy the job too , I started the thread because I did not know what sort of careers you can have at this level iyswim ,
My english skills are usually much better in rl im running on three hours sleep at the minute.
Thanks again for all the great advice i feel raring to go!

Xenia, I disagree that it's automatically "easier" with an Oxbridge background. I have Oxbridge degree, DH went to a former poly, he by far exceeds what I could ever dream of earning, and also many of my uni friends.

For the record, I went to local comprehensive school and parents worked all their lives for local authorities. Their parents were farm labourers. I don't come from a privileged background and appreciate all we have so so much.

OP, DH and I both started in graduate schemes with the same company earning around £20k, which for London at the time, repaying student debts, was quite low. We both worked hard, got ourselves noticed, and worked our way up from there, one pay rise at a time. In the sectors we've worked in (IT/Finance) it then becomes about getting yourself noticed, staying in touch with the right people (my DH's jobs have never been advertised, people called him) and not being afraid to take a leap of faith. DH has extended his earning power by being prepared to work long hours, make business trips away from his young family, etc. I wasn't prepared for the same commitment after having DD and was made redundant.

Good luck, but be careful what you wish for!

Yes but you must accept that graduates now (and I know loads) who have good qualifications etc tend to find it easier to get a start in companies than those who have a poor academic record. Although I agree that hard work and tenancity also win out and taking on things, being innovative, taking some risk and all the other personality things that go with it.

I also was not suggesting the original poster should give up at all. I think either she can get some more qualifications for something or other now or even better just keep her job and work on other business plans in spare time.

Xenia - are you for real? I did a secretarial course after a year in Switzerland . I started as a secretary and became a eurobond salesman (or woman actually). I think I did OK because I was hardworking and nice to people. On here is as outspokenly daring as I have ever been in my life.

The SIL's went to russell group universities and in equivalent terms have never earned as much as I did when I was a mere secretary bird. They don't like work very much and they aren't very nice.

Yes, I read your inspiring post above. It was great but without doubt if you take 20 somethings in the UK without many qualifications and those who graduate from good places and there is a massive difference on average in their likely achievement. If there weren't we'd all be pushing for our children to leave school at 16 and we don't because we all know further qualifications tends to help you and in some careers, medicine etc it's essential. And however good your qualifications those of us who do well are also as you say hard working and able to get on with people but not so nice with people we let ourselves be walked all over of course.

Gosh well at the expense of blowing my own trumpet Xenia I must have been an LBW at 21 then as I managed it all with just a little a grace and a jolly good education as distinct from some jolly good qualifications.

I have namechanged for this as dont want to out myself! I think you have had some really good advice on career options so thought would answer the question of how I got to where I got to, in case any of it helps.

I earn over £500k a year. My school was nothing special but I worked like a demon at GCSEs and A levels and got into a Russell Group university. Don't think I am particularly clever but I worked hard. Worked like a demon again to get a good degree and then got a job in the City. Fair to say that first 12 years of career, I pretty much worked a 6 day work, approx 15 hours a day. It meant every couple of years I was promoted, faster than my peers.

I planned every promotion and made sure that I took every opportunity to get as much experience as possible. As I got more senior, the skills I needed were different but each year I would make a plan as to where I wanted to get to and what skills I needed to develop. If I came across a block in my skillset, I would buy books that would help and was willing to go on courses (both paid for by myself and by my company).

I am described by people as being very single minded, driven and guess I would add in ambitious. I have never been afraid to ask for promotion and if I thought a I wasnt getting paid what I was worth, I said so.

In terms of sacrafices, I think some of my relationships with friends suffered a bit at the beginning but my close friends stuck by me. Obviously wasn't always fun at the beginning of career with long hours.

In terms of where I am at now, I have slowed down a little bit, as you can't keep up that pace forever! My kids and lovely DH are my number one priority but I have "earned" that right at work as I am now senior enough to be flexible in my hours and to have people working for me who pick up my "slack".

Best of luck! :)

Did a newpaper call you Mrs Tiggywinkle in about 1994?

Sexist your post is gripping