How did you really get your successful career/job?

[HelloVeraPlant]

I guess my AIBU is that I’ve started to think that in this modern competitive day and age it’s impossible (or highly unlikely) to get a job you enjoy or love that pays very well without any “help”.

Throughout my 20s I steadily climbed up my career ladder and actually enjoyed the jobs I had (in hindsight). Then when covid hit, the company I worked for went bust and I had a temp job which ended in 2022 and I’ve honestly not been able to get back on the job ladder. I’m working part time (it took a year to find this job!) but they’ve completely sliced my hours - I agreed to it because I was going on Mat leave and thought that it would work out when I came back but my take home pay is just ridiculous! I’ve asked them to increase my hours but it seems things have been hard (lots of restructuring and people leaving etc when I was out).

I’ve applied for jobs but I’m not getting anywhere. Traditionally I would call up companies and they would keep me on their radar and normally call me back months down the line if something came up - that hasn’t work. Do I need to join a recruiting company? I’m pretty well connected and have applied for jobs that friends have put out - but someone better comes along (which is fair). My LinkedIn is up to date - I freelance too which looks really good on paper (in terms of accolades and name dropping companies) but it’s not making a difference.

I just don’t know how to increase my salary. And I’m trying to think of different ways to apply.

Or maybe I’m not doing enough applications?

I don’t know.

This is more of a discussion on unconventional ways people got their high paying jobs.

for the sake of the poll:
Unreasonable - Your overreacting, getting a job is easy if you out in the hours
Reasonable - Yep the job market is hard - it’s not enough to just apply

Professional Learning Network. A wanky phrase, but very useful. Took looks of courses, did voluntary work to gain board level skills. Built but a good network of people to ask for support but also who I supported, developed a reputation for being good at what I do, built other people up, never slagged anyone off at work (even when tempted). The board level skill thing boosted my return to work after childcare duties ended more than had I stayed in work slogging away at my job.

Hard work and blind luck for me. The company I now work for were expanding/hiring. The owner had stumbled across me sort of by chance, and because I am well known in the industry, everyone he asked about me had good things to say. Still here ten years on.

Previous job I got almost entirely because a relative worked there and recommended me.

What sort of areas are you looking at?
For me it was a case of gaining experience by other means so volunteering but also initially using recruitment agencies who were useful in brushing up my CV and teaching skills to tailor applications etc.

Were you highly paid in your pre-Covid career? Can you try to tap into your networks from back then if people are still in the industry?

I’m very experienced at what I do, but tbh I haven’t known many people come into my workplaces over the past 10 years without having some kind of first-person endorsement from someone who’s already there. Myself included.

Networking is crucial. I’m constantly going to ‘women in X field’ breakfasts, ‘innovators in X in Y city’ happy hours and as many conferences and open houses as I can. You’ve got to put the time in outside of work hours.

A career in what field? It’s pretty hard to compare or give advice with few facts. I mean there’s a dramatic difference in how you go about developing a career if you are an engineer compared to an estate agent!

I’ve gotten a new job recently with much higher pay than previously. Not unconventional means but I think that having a really tailored CV pulling out your experience vs the job description helps.

My CV has a personal statement at the top and I basically say on there what skills I have that match the job description. Use wording from the job description. If you are sending multiple applications you would need to refresh your CV for each role rather than just bulk sending.

And just really shine in the interview. I have had feedback that I interview well and I have gotten almost every job I have interviewed for. Be relaxed, be prepared, have lots of examples and don’t be afraid to toot your own horn.

1. Choose a slightly unglamorous area where highly skilled staff are in demand.
2. Network in the industry
3. Use specialist recruiters

If there are lots of jobs in your area but you aren't getting them:

• are there too many people with your skills/experience - can you shift to a shortage area?
• is your cv well written, succinct?
• have you honed your interview skills?

My last two (high paid) jobs I've had headhunters reach out actively asking me to apply. I never saw either publicly advertised. I think this is standard for many higher paying roles.

Hard work and people who want to work with you again are your best bet; there are jobs out there but maybe your need to flex what you'll do to meet the opportunities. Recruiters are very useful and have got me into some fun areas in the past, but useful ones were specialists in the industry who got my name from multiple sources so they were confident in me. If you want to go more of a professional route then you'll do best if you ask old colleagues to reference you to recruiters. It is always more lucrative to be hunted than to hunt.

I have degrees from two top UK unis but graduated during a big recession and ended working in a shop. I got promoted very quickly to manage the flagship store for the company. Why? Some luck, right place right time. Made a point of getting on with company owners etc. I am a good worker and very reliable which mattered in that job. Got into a buying job in the same part of retail because one of my department managers went there because she trailed another former staff member. Ended up in a more senior job there, promoted as far as I could go because again, I work hard, I have good judgement and I’m really smart. Moved to a new place, hired into a more junior but better paying job at the leading retailer in my industry. Promoted into a job I didn’t have a ton of experience in but turned out to be extremely good at. Why? Again, I produce good work, I am confident in meetings even when I am the junior member so built a good reputation. Recently jumped ship to the leading retailer in another sector and now earn £150k/year for a reasonably low stress job.

Dont get me wrong, I grew up in a well off middle class family and that gave me opportunities that got me hired in the first place. But really, I just found something I am really good at doing, that I like and was lucky enough to get hired by leading companies. I did not get help getting hired from family or nepotistic connections, apart from the former colleague who referred me to my buying job.

Are you looking for part time or full time? I find part time roles really take the piss with salary and expectations. They basically expect you to do a full time role, within 25 hours. They know people are desperate for roles that fit around childcare so will do it!

Or the part time role is really just a very basic job role, which would never afford much of a salary anyway.

Upload your CV to job boards and connect with recruitment agencies. That's your best bet - no matter what role you're after.

I think I acquired my current (relatively happy) position through sheer good fortune, and by being in the right 'place' (situation) at the right time.

I had to give up a career that involved a very time consuming commute to care for my sons who were going through mental health crises. I was old enough to take a sort of 'early' retirement which gave me a small sum of cash to allow myself time to build up part time work from home.

Then, when my sons were a little less dependent, one of the part time posts was made full time and permanent, yet was still extremely flexible. I have embraced the opportunity to work in a role that I enjoy 90% of the time, and which allows me the flexibility to support my family members in a meaningful way.

No job that I have had is perfect, but my current role is a nearly perfect fit for my other responsibilities.