AIBU to ask what high-paying job DH should retrain for?

[curiosercurioser]

Just that really. DH is 43, has spent 15 years working in marketing/public relations/advertising. He wants a change and is happy to retrain, but we need the job to be high-paying, over £40k+ in London. Looking for ideas!

Over 40k isn’t considered high paying in London if you have 15 years experience. So if that’s the goal pretty much most junior / analyst / trainee roles would be suitable provided he makes it clear he’s willing to work hard to prove himself.

40K, my 23yo is earning more than that with 2 years experience in digital marketing.

What kind of change is he looking for? Has he been agency previously? Would he consider an in-house role?

In-house communications/PR job for a small to medium company would easily command 40K.

Train driver! They get £40k+ just while training, then it goes up to £50k++ once qualified.

I agree with PP- 40k isn't that well paid in London

Has he been in that field for long? If he's not earning over £40k at his age, I'd be looking at a career change.

Oh sorry you said 15 years. Either he's not very ambitious or he's not very good, sorry. That's a terrible salary for 15 years of experience in London.

I presume he wants to change fields because he doesn't love this one, and that also explains his pay?

What is he interested in? Does he have a degree in anything? Does he have any idea what he might like to do?

Thanks all. Should have been clearer in the post. DH is on 60k salary, not 40k. What I meant is that after retraining he needs to go in at 40k, although we'd need that to rise quickly.

He doesn't want to do comms. tbh part of the change is needing a higher salary so we're thinking about something in City. Don't know much at this stage!

Well what does he like / dislike about his current career? You are not giving much to go on :)

the average london salary for a bricklayer is £48,840, so whilst not the most exciting job, it does pay well.

That's not a lot to earn, so I'd be thinking about what transferable skills he has and what interests him. Does he not have any ideas?

@Namechangeforthiscancershit I've suggested he go see a career coach. He finds marketing a bit meaningless, it's that midlife search for meaning.

@badlamp his main issue with marketing is it's far too project based. he flits from project to project and doesn't stay with the same team (he works for a big company).

If he likes tech - network communications or IT security

I’m in London and I think 40k is fine, and I’m in my 50s with a first class degree from the top university in the country for my subject and PhD. I earn mid 30s and am top of the pay grade and senior. DH earns less than me at 22k. I’m always mystified by these threads about London salaries.

Purchasing. He can become fully MCIPS qualified in just over a year if he really put his mind to it.

These salaries are eye watering. My dd risks her life everyday working for the emergency services and she thinks she’s earning well at £30k !

What’s his maths like?

I’m an actuary, pay starts around £40k and you can easily get to a six figure salary if you want to.

£40k would be low for London PR jobs if he has 15 years experience.

Assuming his seniority... associate director in a decent agency would get him £70/80k ish, head of media or similar in-house might be £100k if he looks at financial services roles.

I work in construction. But in the office, coordinating all the different divisions.

I get paid 40k, never trained for it just had experience in projects.

Maybe if he tries one of these skills type quizzes it will identify career paths for him www.prospects.ac.uk/job-match

Don't think IT is for him @KatieB55

@Peony99 This is the sort of role I'd like for him. Something in his field but in-house in financial company. No idea how to go about this. Would he need training?

Oh I see. Well he needs to decide what he likes doing. Something where he has transferable skills would be good

Depends on his background, but it's worth a look. Check out PR Week jobs, or talk to a recruiter.

I'm in a slightly niche area so might not be totally in touch with the best recruiters for him, but Comms Leaders or Elwood Attfield might be worth a chat to.

A media manager at an ad agency would get 40k (some of ours only have 2 years experience in media!?)

Directors get £60-80 which would be very doable with 15 years exp.

Senior directors get £90-150k

look at roles at group m, IPG, havas, Dentsu, publicis and OMD

International roles pay MUCH better and don’t always involve much travel.