To stay in a job I like but i’m way over qualified for?

[Notinlalaland]

Have been doing a professional job in a blue chip company for past year. I enjoy the job (most of the time), like the people and the company. However it just niggles me sometimes that it’s too easy and I should do something more challenging as have post grad qualification in field as well.
I could try for next level but just like the low-stress and flexibility current role allows.

I was just about to post along these lines! I am an Executive Assistant and feel I should be aiming higher. But I really enjoy working closely with the CEO and building up that relationship.

Anyway this was about you. Do you need more intellectual stimulation than your current role gives you? Is there scope to progress or expand the role? And get more money!

Does this job just fit for now in terms of hours, flexibility, etc?

Hi
It’s really tricky isn’t it.
Yes there will be scope for extension in a year or two.
It does fit for now with childcare etc but my worry is i’ll Just stick with it forever.
They do say “work hard in your current job and the next one will take care if it’s self”.
Also there’s the element of enjoying what you do and bring happy rather than living a version of life that other people expect of you.
What about you? Is there room for promotion? How long have you done the role?

I have just gone from a managerial role to a basic clerical role - large pay cut but the hours suit me better.

I love it! It works so much better for the family and childcare and I am so much happier with less stress.

If you don't need the money of a higher grade then there is a lot to be said for doing a job you enjoy and fits in well with your lifestyle.

I'm doing similar and what I feel is guilt. DH works long hours in a higher paying job whereas I work 30hrs/week in a fairly low stress job. My role does come with several benefits that work well for our family, which is what I use to off-set any guilt about not earning my full potential.

That strikes a chord when you talk about living a version of life that others expect of you. I think other people expect me to do what they think is a better job and that makes me doubt myself.

I've been doing this particular role for a year but hope to extend it in the future and take on some more internal comms as part of the role.

I like being a supportive no.2 to my boss, but because other people wouldn't be satisfied with my job, they can't understand how I could be satisfied.

Another thing is the money. I also feel guilty that I should be earning more. But like another poster said, this company has good perks and that's also part of my contribution.

If it's not stretching you enough, does it give you some time to do any extra training? To keep your interest?

I’m in a similar boat. I’m a Manager with a big international company. I earn £50k which is beyond my wildest expectations! I enjoy what I do, it’s low stress and easy. It doesn’t challenge me though and I’m under pressure from a couple of people who unofficially mentor me to say if I want to pursue a promotion to senior manager. I don’t really. I don’t want extra stress, hours, responsibilities and I don’t need more money - I never even get close to spending my monthly salary now. But do I just cruise along like this indefinitely? And does that mean I’m terribly unambitious and lacking in drive? If others never asked me about it, the thought of progressing would never cross my mind.

My view is no matter what job you do or qualifications you achieve if you find a job you like and stimulates you, is hours that suit you and pays what you are happy living on then sticking with it is worth it.

If the job isn't right then of course if you can progress to something that is right.

It might seem like a waste of your education but the reality is a job is meant to pay for the life you want. Your life shouldn't be worse to make your job better.

It's like the saying goes I work to live, I don't live to work.

I have friends who have degrees some of them multiple degrees but work as cleaners or in shops or a chip-shop etc and couldn't be happier even though they could technically be in big careers on very high wages but it suits the life they want to not follow that. Others I know are only happy if their careers are going well and are climbing because their happiness is their job. Different things for different people!

I used to temp in admin work and I’ve worked as a PA before retraining as a teacher. I ultimately found admin work really boring, pay wasn’t great and I hated being looked down on and patronised by non support staff.

If you are happy, stay doing what you are doing. But bear in mind that it can be difficult to move upwards and if you apply to other admin jobs they can easily have one hundred applicants!

It’s also worth bearing in mind that admin jobs are reducing in number as senior staff are increasingly expected to do their own admin and automation is also going to decrease routine clerical roles too.

Just putting my 2 cents in - I worked in a job for two years that I was overqualified for and, to be honest, the money was rubbish too BUT I was really happy - I enjoyed it, had a good work-life balance, low stress levels etc... I left a year ago to pursue something more suited to my qualifications and I actually really regret it. I work longer hours, am permanently stressed and actually don't really enjoy it at all. It's possible I just picked the wrong area and I am looking to move to something a bit different (but still same skill/qualification level) to see if that helps, but I do wonder if I'd be happier now had I stayed in the job I was overqualified for. My advice would be if you've got a job you like stick with it (and don't worry about what anyone else thinks/says). Have you considered doing an evening or online course in something else you're interested in if you feel like there's a bit of challenge missing from your life? Learn a new language perhaps? I just think there are other ways to stretch yourself that don't have to mean taking on a job you don't like as much as your current one.

I feel very similarly, OP. As part of my annual appraisal I'm asked about my career progression plans, where I want to move to next etc. No-one seems to understand that I don't hugely want to be promoted - it will come with more money which would be lovely, but it also comes with a heavier demand on my time, more stress and responsibility and possibly line management (which I've always said I don't want to do).

To my mind, there's nothing wrong with staying in a job you enjoy, on a salary where you can afford to live and which gives you a good work/life balance.

Being happy would trump everything else for me!