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

[Redvelvetdreams1]

I'm on 29.5k which is the most I've ever earned in my life, and I'm 34. I have a degree and a PGCE but here we are.
I'm never going to be a millionaire, but I just don't feel like I'll ever know what it's like to be well off. I live alone too but fortunately only have myself to support.

I'm an EO in the Civil service, which i hate. I'm not trying to be rich, but I'd just love to have a comfortable salary and be able to save comfortably, go on proper holidays and not just a £19.99 ryanair flight (I know I'm lucky to even do that) afford to learn to drive, and just know what it's like to not have to check my bank account daily and count every penny.

However I know this is the reality for most people. Maybe I can go back to teaching and try to make it up to SLT, but school behaviour is horrendous these days which is why I left.

I'm just feeling a bit lost. I know I'm lucky to even have a job, but without sounding arrogant I considered myself as intelligent, I gained qualifications, can speak other languages and a lot of people my age are earning quite a bit more than me.
Just interested to hear anyone's stories and any advice on where to go from here.

Kist replying to OPs first post

Fix your target outcome - desired job role with salary

Work backwards from that and what needs to happen get there

Formulate a plan with clear steps

But above all else accept it will take time, take immediate pressure off and slowly step by step work the plan

Acceptance and patience are your friends while quietly keeping an eye on that target outcome.

You are still quite young and can retrain or extend

Everyone I know who earns over £50k works in sales, tech, or EA. I know of London based nannys who earn that much too. Obviously there's a bunch of other roles that earn that amount too, those are just the only ones I actually know the salary of

This was me - didn't know what I wanted to do post-uni, stumbled into a sector where my personal soft skills were highly valued, used these opportunities to build other skills. I'm 34, in science communications working for a not-for-profit org, earning £80k. Went for roles in scicomms across charity, non-profits, ALBs etc and only took jobs with upward trajectory.

Build up skills, stick with jobs min 18 months, move on if no opportunities to improve or be promoted.

Wow that’s amazing! You’re an inspiration! Thank you so much for the brilliant advice. I’ll definitely be doing that before any interviews. I’m hoping to apply for an apprenticeship when it comes up as I enjoy studying and would like to push myself. I’m currently looking into SaLT and counselling/CBT. I’ve got an Art degree but have worked as a band 2 and now 3 for the last 4 years. Thanks once again! I’m feeling really motivated.

I didn’t even know that was possible! To be patient facing while working from home. That sounds really amazing! Your job sounds fantastic! I’ve been interested in SaLT ever since one of my sons needed the service. I’m just trying to predict what will be more in demand in future. I did a fine art degree as I was interested in Art Therapy but there aren’t many jobs available or any funding for that in the NHS. So I’m trying to do my research and check what will be more needed: SaLT, CBT, OT etc… what will allow me some flexibility and maybe even be able to occasionally work from home. Thanks once again!

120k

Locum psychologist

Love my job

8 years of study

Well I started with a very privileged background, went to top private school, bummed around for a few years doing various things, then went to uni, dropped out and fluked into a job with a Software House in the early 90s when I didn't even know what that was, worked my way up, became a Director then went self employed by which time I was a high earner. So a combination of privilege, luck and finding something I was really interested in and then working every hour God sent for a few years (but loving it)

I tend to find most high-earners move jobs every 2,4,5 years. Saw a lot when interviewing for head teacher roles, where the applicants had moved jobs several times over the 15-20 years previous.

I hate commenting on people's salaries, but 30k is not that far above NMW now. especially in a job you don't like. Get yourself on LinkedIn, and start putting yourself out there. Connect with recruiters, Yes, I know this all sounds very corporate wanker, but so what. What do you have to lose?

I tend to find most high-earners move jobs every 2,4,5 years. Saw a lot when interviewing for head teacher roles, where the applicants had moved jobs several times over the 15-20 years previous

But don't they spend all their time finding their feet in new roles, getting to grips with the employer's culture and expectations etc?

I've worked for the same organisation for a long time, but taken on a new role within the last couple of years and TBH I wish I hadn't bothered - I've been given a huge mess to sort out with little support because the two people who did it before looked like they knew what they were doing on the surface, but any kind of digging and it all falls apart.

At least I know the people I'm working with, have employment rights, don't have probation to pass etc. If I'd come in from outside, I'd be constantly worried I'd be fired because all I raise are problems that they've happily ignored for about 20 years.

Ah apprentices are a great way to ge the experience. They do apprenticeships up to band 7 now I think!

definitely cast your net wide in terms of opportunities and see where you land that you enjoy! With some clinical experience you could reasonably look at MDT coordinator roles, any administrative roles in patient flow team such as discharge coordinators, cancer pathway coordinators etc or project management/PMO functions. If you are interested in a role or function link in with them and ask if you can shadow for an hour or half a day etc.

glad you’re feeling motivated! Go get em!

Sorry to interrupt on Op’s thread, and sorry for stupid question but I was just wondering how do people ‘get out there’ or ‘connect with recruiters’?

I use LinkedIn, have tried signing up to different recruitment agencies, sent polite emails, filled out recruiters candidate web forms, as well as applying for their jobs postings but never hear back. Also tried smaller or niche agencies, some of which who claim to help junior candidates

My friend who works in recruitment says she is swamped by messages so can’t respond to everyone

It depends on industry but I’ve found recruiters find me through LinkedIn or through word of mouth. I’ve also found private sector employers literally reach out and ask me to work for their company but as a consultant focusing on my existing policy area.

Everyone’s mileage may vary but mine has been more they come to me rather than me seek them.

What do you analyse?

I’m a teacher at an independent school on 54 k. Second in Dept and 58 so top of scale.

In my industry, recruitment is very specialised, there are only really 2 people who are worth talking to in terms of having access to opportunities. I'm in Dublin, so a much smaller market than London.

You have to find the right people. That might take a lot of hunting around / asking your peers.

Analyst here too although I’m not quite on 50k, DH senior manager >80k

Both worked ourselves up from customer services at our respective, large organisations neither of us have degrees, or even a levels. I didn’t even have my maths or English qualifications until a couple of years ago.

Sometimes you just have to chuck yourself in to the job you’re doing and put yourself out there for any opportunity that comes your way.

From everything I’ve read and heard about teaching at the moment I think you’re better off as a Civil Servant. Less stress than teaching and more choices for employment and promotion. Only drawback is school holidays if you have DC in future, but many teachers are leaving the profession despite this.

Get out of the civil service if you want to earn some proper money with the opportunity to grow, promote and earn a bonus. I left a 26k role in CS for a 40k in the private sector, that was 5 years ago and now I'm earning 60k with one promotion and various pay progressions.

To add I have nothing higher than GCSEs

Civil service is your best bet. It will take a few years but move around to get experience in a range of different types of role. I started as an EO and worked my way up doing a range of both technical and team leader/ management roles at each grade. If you know you prefer technical or management you can stick to one role type and try working in different departments but you will need some management skills experience for G7 roles.

Before I retired I was making $80,000.00+. I worked in IT Security. I was civil service.

I can put my salary (£170k pa) down to factors that I think have already been shared by PPs when I have a quick scan though the thread. I think most of them just aren’t compatible with civil service though 😔Private industry, high tech (so an industry that is growing and in demand) and a commercial based role (so basically you are responsible in some way for making the company money!). After that, honestly? There was a lot of luck and right-place-right-time.

Engineer. 38
Apprenticeship at 16. Lots of hard work for about 10 years and just winging it with common sense since.
I can't believe they still pay me to be honest, but here we are.

I don't think my salary is particularly high (53k) but I got on a grad scheme back in ye Olde 90s and was supported to get a professional qualification. Many years of experience since then means I can get a decent salary for my expertise. I let my career slide when my family was young abd struggled to get back on track so it hasn't been plain sailing and I've had something of a career renaissance in the past few years.

I went to uni late around 23 after having my daughter (single parent) did a degree in accounting and finance, living in a council house. I bloody loved it, got a first and got a part time job in my final two years at a local but top accountancy firm. Fast forward 10 years and I am a chartered accountant and chartered tax advisor, on about £70k currently but progression is there for the taking as my qualifications in my area are hard to come by. It was years of exams though. My partner is a design engineer and earns similar (obviously no longer live in a council house). I feel so lucky to have found a career I love. You need to find what you love and the money comes second.