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Original poster

Take a big pay cut for a 'career change' job?

14 replies

PYT · 02/09/2010 23:12

I've been retraining for a new career (doing an MA - nearly finished).

I knew all along that I would probably have to take a pay cut of about £5-7k pa from the sort of job I was doing before (media) going into a the sort of job I could get after retraining.

However, I have just seen an ad for a job that looks great - really fascinating, using all the new stuff I have learned on my Masters and situated fairly close to where I live. Great. Except it really is offering the very lowest salary I could possibly even contemplate taking - about £8k per year less than my last media job.

I haven't worked consistently since my oldest was born five years ago, and we've survived for all that time on one salary. Any extra money coming in at all would be a bonus as far as DH and our financial situation is concerned. However, I am worried that it is going to look shit on my CV (or when asked at future job interviews what my current salary is) and make me seem more 'junior' than I am.

Am I worrying unnecessarily? What would you do? Am I just going to have to take the hit?

OP posts:

venusandmars · 03/09/2010 16:40

So you have identified a job that really interests you, makes use of your new qualifications, and that would make your financial situation better than it is now? Bloody go for it!

I'd say that finding something you like and is interesting is worth way, way more than your previous salary (if you can still make ends meet).

I'd also say that if you have skills from your previous role which are useful in the new post, then they will be quickly recognised and that you will find yourself being offered opportunities (although perhaps no more money) to work on projects etc that use ALL your skills.

So what is stopping you? It sounds as though you have decided to give up your previous career. There must have been rasons for that and you can not really expect to be rewarded at the same level in a different career.

hairytriangle · 04/09/2010 01:32

What do you mean by pay cut? I took your op to mean you have not been working so assume not earning? Do you mean reentry to employment on lower pay than you left? If so, I'd imagine this is par for the course especially in a recession

Go for it if it's what you really want to do

Tortington · 04/09/2010 01:33

easier to go from work to work - and enjopying a job is worth loads

Acinonyx · 06/09/2010 15:47

When you retrain you can't rally afford to worry about how low your first salary is going to be. I took A LOT bigger cut than that after retraining. It's common.

tattycoram · 06/09/2010 15:53

I changed career from the media and took a bigger pay cut than that and don't regret it. I understand where you are coming from but the truth is you are more junior than you were, you've changed career and you don't have experience in that field. You'll work your way up again if it's the right career for you

Acinonyx · 06/09/2010 16:23

P.S. - I also had a media job previously! There seems to be a mass exodus despite the salaries......

tattycoram · 06/09/2010 16:35

Yes, I really have never regretted leaving. I used to wonder why and where everyone (esp women) in their mid thirties went, and I got there and suddenly all became clear.....

Acinonyx · 06/09/2010 16:52

The Media Escapettes Club.

Matsikula · 08/09/2010 11:13

I'd do it. Afterall, it is what you have invested your time (and presumably money) in retraining for.

As tattycoram said, you are in a way more junior than you were, but once you have your foot in the door, you may be able to progress quickly.

I'm contemplating going back to my career in media (after a year) with not a great deal of enthusiasm. Perhaps I will join you in the great escape...

And congratulations on the MA, by the way!

EmmaHewett · 08/09/2010 12:59

I agree with all the above comments, and yes, I am a Media Escapette. I took a really low paid job in a different sector and worked my way up again, and it was worth it. Also if you know you're going to enjoy this prospective job it will be far better for your mental health, and those of DH and your kiddies.

EmmaHewett · 08/09/2010 13:00

hollysaysboo · 08/09/2010 16:17

Can I join the Media Escapette club too?

I left a media job last year after realising that the stress would probably kill me if I went back after having my son. I am now working for the NHS in a job I love and I took a £12k pay cut. Yes, I'd love to be able to go out and spend £200 on a handbag a la pre-baby days but I've got a fantastic work/life balance and within a few years I should have made the £12k deficit up. I won't lie to you, there are days when I am terribly stressed about how little money I now earn but its short term pain for long term gain.

maxpower · 08/09/2010 16:22

my DH took a £20k pay cut to do a job he really wanted to do. he's loving it and on balance, his quality of life far outweighs the loss of money.

MamaD1 · 14/09/2010 08:23

To weigh into the discussion, I recently took a massive £10k paycut to move to an area that I really loved. Before I moved from the old job, I was up from promotion and pay increase but the prospect of being trapped in that job by 'big' money scared me and I bailed... I got a wonderful mentor who works in the area I moved to who offered me a job albeit at a lower salary than I was on (-£10k)and I am loving my new role. It is not easy and I miss the extra income as I was the main breadwinner and bought a house also in the midst of all this but good news is I was able to utilise my skills in this new role to outperform the people on the same grade so much so that I am up for promotion after just about 6 months... My advice is take the leap!

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