To be down about being almost 35 and earning less than 30k

[MyWorthyGreenScroller]

I currently have 3 jobs and make a total of around 29k a year with all 3.

My main role is in the Civil Service as an AO which is 34.5 hours a week.
I then do 2 hours a week of cleaning.
Then I have a zero hours casual role and work either a Saturday or Sunday every other weekend.

For anyone unfamiliar with the CS grades, AO is the most junior role (I know there are AAs but posts are rare these days) for many roles, experience and time in service count for absolutely nothing.
It's about how well you can write a personal statement/meet the behaviours. EO roles are highly competitive and I've been rejected for 3 in the last couple of months, with a 4th one im waiting to hear if I've got an interview for.

I know it's a numbers game, but im fed up of working 3 jobs and often working 6 days a week. Live alone and have a mortgage, hoping to move in with my partner soon which will be great.
I have some debt I'm paying off too, I owe 1.2k on a credit card, 900 on a personal loan about 500 on a store card. So I know it's not masses of debt in the grand scheme of things but it does weigh on me.

Anyway im rambling now. I do enjoy my AO role, it is rewarding. But I know AO roles are very much about stats and frontline roles, I'm just another number. I have a degree and I'm actually qualified as a teacher.

Left teaching for obvious reasons, mainly behaviour being horrendous and all the unpaid overtime. I guess I thought I'd be doing better by now, I know this sounds bad but my manager is around 22 and I sort of resent seeing people much younger with less experience in higher grades and earning more.

Just looking for any advice really? I know things could be worse. Not saying I should walk into a 100k job, just think I could do better.

I’m assuming you’re in an operational role if you’re an AO, with your degree and teaching background have you considered jobs at DfE? I’ve seen people go into that department at EO easily if not HEO. I’d also consider trying for other EO/HEO jobs in other departments. I know someone that’s recently gone from EO to SEO so it is possible. Getting out of the ops is the fastest way to accelerate your career - I went from EO to G7 in under 5 years working in a non-ops role.

As you say it’s a numbers game and there is an art to CS applications, find someone (line manager, mentor, people at higher grades in your team) that can help you get good at that and you’re on to a winner.

Recruitment in the civil service is a game that you need to learn the rules of to win. STAR format with a focus on results (also make sure you evidence results with numbers, feedback from colleagues), dont spend long describiting situation amd tasks. Cross reference the skills framework for the grade, make sure you learn the behaviours for the role and your examples quote back the guidance to make it easy for the person grading to tick the score boxes. Get someone with experience in scoring applications to check your answers. Ask for detailed feedback from your last applications on where you didn't score highly and why. Usually this is a case of writing more or in a different way, rather than you not actually having the experience. You will succeed, spend some real focused time learning the rules and what the scorers are looking for and getting help from experienced colleagues. Good luck! www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles/success-profiles-civil-service-behaviours#executive-officer-eo-grade-or-equivalent

Thank you! I feel like i am trying hard with the applications but I'm getting 3s and 4s.

I will look at DFE and also see if anyone can check over my applications!

I’m almost 40 and only broke the £30 barrier at the end of April. I qualified in my profession last year but was working as a band 5 in the nhs for under £30k. Started my new role in April and finally feel I am getting a reasonable wage. Is there scope for progression in your current role?

Could you do private tutoring insted of your 2 other part time jobs I'm sure it would pay better

If it's helps, I'm 45 and have never earned more than £30k, in spite of various qualifications and years of experience. Best of luck with progressing, I'm also public sector, but not CS and it can be so tough to work work your way up.

I’m 33 and earn less than £20k 🤷🏻‍♀️ it’s pretty shit but I work term-time and have a decent work-life balance so I just think of it in those terms - I’d much rather earn less for all the perks I’ve got with it than be a high earner and be stressed all the time 😂

Thanks for your replies. I tried tutoring but the clients I had were very flaky and I just couldn't be bothered with it.
Yes I agree, it can be hard sometimes.
I'll try to progress, even considering looking if there's anything in education, maybe in an alternative role.

Definitely keep at the applications op. We find it hard to even get EOs these days as all the good ones get promoted to HEO really quick. Maybe try and find a mentor who can help support you with the applications?

I'm an EO at 40 and am not on 30k. I got the EO role after going for an Expression of Interest/secondment which gave me a lot of experience to put in my personal statements and examples for promotion. Dies your department do EOIs? They are definitely worth going for.

Former HO here (was on £35k) I left to join the private sector and earn a lot more but my god the pressure and expectations are much higher.

if you want to earn more look outside the CS but be prepared that it’s a different world.

I understand why you'd feel miffed. DS is 24 and is earning £30.5k after a year of work.

Can you ask to equalise with the civil service fast streamers? Given they are grads with no experience in and they start at £31,186. Can you do the fast stream yourself? Then you can exit the fast stream at around £40k

Sadly been rejected from the fast stream twice so far, but will keep trying! Thanks

Could you consider teaching again? I know you mentioned the unpaid overtime, but at the moment you are working 6 days a week for £29k, and teachers start on £31k and have progression. You’d be on £40k+ by now if you’d stuck with it. Most professional roles require unpaid overtime too.

A lot of teachers leave the profession, it's not a case of us just 'not sticking with it', and no guarantee I'd be on 40k now.

Get yourself a mentor. The CS have lots of schemes. Then get help with preparing for interviews and progression. Make sure you set this as a personal objective with your manager. As others have said read up on the interview and assessment approach and ask for practice interviews.
ask your manager for some tasks that are at EO level and then talk about how you delivered on those in your application or interview.