How easy is it to get another high paying job?
Discussion
I have been in senior management for about 10 years with 3 different companies, I left my last position 19 months ago and have been contracting since. Never before have I struggled to get a job but the last 19 months have been painful, limited roles that fit me, one offer last year but I declined too many red flags at interview.
Then 3 offers come at once with a 2nd interview and presentation for a 4th position. At times I was really beginning to think that’s it I’m doomed on the scrap heap at 51, it gets you down, but I have real spring in my step today.
I’m guessing there will be a fair few people out there in a similar position, don’t give up, stay positive.
Then 3 offers come at once with a 2nd interview and presentation for a 4th position. At times I was really beginning to think that’s it I’m doomed on the scrap heap at 51, it gets you down, but I have real spring in my step today.
I’m guessing there will be a fair few people out there in a similar position, don’t give up, stay positive.
I know a fair few people who are on £700-£800/day PMing, based in London but not going into town very often at all. Yes they work hard, yes they're good at their jobs, but the projects aren't mind-blowing or particularly specific - network upgrades, that sort of thing. They're the PMs, not the techies. When I told my former employer that I was going to retire, (from my perm PM/SM role) they suggested £650 if I'd consider contracting back into them, and that was before any negotiation started.
What's more, there are plenty of PMs out there on that sort of money who are really not very good at their jobs; the usual panicky phone call 5 minutes before something is needed, because they've forgotten to arrange it and schedule it.
In the current climate, OP, if you needed to find work then contracting would be by far your best option from a purely financial point of view.
What's more, there are plenty of PMs out there on that sort of money who are really not very good at their jobs; the usual panicky phone call 5 minutes before something is needed, because they've forgotten to arrange it and schedule it.
In the current climate, OP, if you needed to find work then contracting would be by far your best option from a purely financial point of view.
I think its worth some thought about the question itself. I'm paid more than my equivalents at our main competitors, so the same has occurred to me - not looking to leave, but what if the decision is made for me?
Reframe it. What would have to happen for that to be necessary? Is the company of sound management? Do you have good paying customers? Deal with the problems you have, not the problems you don't.
Then if you must, consider it this way; you're worth what you're being paid to your current employer (or they wouldn't be paying you that much). It seems unlikely that they're wrong.
I had a similar sort of pay increment over maybe two years- left for a job that paid what I was on (including car allowance) plus company car. Got a percentage pay rise. Went back to former employer at that plus car allowance on top. Got a percentage pay rise. Got promoted with a pay rise. Now on 50% more than when I left. MD thinks I'm worth it, so I don't argue with him.
Reframe it. What would have to happen for that to be necessary? Is the company of sound management? Do you have good paying customers? Deal with the problems you have, not the problems you don't.
Then if you must, consider it this way; you're worth what you're being paid to your current employer (or they wouldn't be paying you that much). It seems unlikely that they're wrong.
I had a similar sort of pay increment over maybe two years- left for a job that paid what I was on (including car allowance) plus company car. Got a percentage pay rise. Went back to former employer at that plus car allowance on top. Got a percentage pay rise. Got promoted with a pay rise. Now on 50% more than when I left. MD thinks I'm worth it, so I don't argue with him.
Well, in my opinion, you can look for some side jobs from home to increase your overall income if you want to. I think this should be a good opportunity for you to earn not 70k$ for a year but around 100$. Especially if you are experienced enough to handle the multiple tasks, I know that some companies are searching for professionals to check their workers or have a side vision on their projects, so I would suggest you think about applying for some side jobs associated with your main specialization, I'm sure you can find plenty of companies.
Edited by mattheusbuz on Friday 8th July 21:12
mattheusbuz said:
Well, in my opinion, you can look for some side jobs from home to increase your overall income if you want to.
How a year has changed things though from my last comments. Sod the side gigs though, I've got my own family/life to live now, so need evenings and weekends. The IT job market is ballistic for at the moment, hope fully OP you are seeing this and are/have taken advantage, if you are in any way competent you should be able to find yourself a nice paying role without much trouble.
My advice is steer away from consultancies/managed service co's. They often pay a lot less than you can find in larger PLCs, which is what I would be looking for.
Sporky said:
I'm pretty sure that was a spambot entry. No link yet, it'll be inserted in a few days.
Hm yes - 1 post... then no doubt we'll get a link to crypto dealing or Amazon drop shipping. I hope OP sorted themselves out in the meantime. I've actually resigned from the job I mentioned earlier, as I got my head turned by a recruitment agent for a new job paying more $$$, which certainly seems very do-able in the present climate, so worth looking if its the right time for you.
Mirinjawbro said:
how would one switch from an analyst to a PM
is it worth it?
analysts (me, excel, vba, reporting )seem maxed 400-500 a day (london)
PM seem to be the next level. 600 700 800
You'll be hard pushed to get 600 a day starting at the bottom of the PM ladder. 500 a day for an analyst i would say is pretty good. is it worth it?
analysts (me, excel, vba, reporting )seem maxed 400-500 a day (london)
PM seem to be the next level. 600 700 800
To move into PMing, despite the best analysts doing a good chunk 9f organising link a pm already, you'd need to have some projects under your belt, with full end to end ownership (planning, resourcing, finances, managing stakeholders). PM certification like PMP or Prince or maybe Scrum or Agile not essential if you have experience, but pretty essential if you are starting out.
ChocolateFrog said:
£800 a day?
I wish I hadn't found PM at uni so deathly boring.
Money for old rope though surely, runs and hides
If you’re PMing something on £800 a day then you have to expect a fair amount of pressure from the seniors above who are footing the bill. They will want results and won’t tolerate slip-ups. I wish I hadn't found PM at uni so deathly boring.
Money for old rope though surely, runs and hides
Many people I know who work in change, have an expertise in a particular sector e.g. banking, and work in certain sub-pockets e.g. types of risk, or particular tech platforms applied in certain trading environment etc. Once you’ve got these skills they pretty much can jump from bank to bank on contracts. Or alternatively a consultancy, as your skills will be very similar to what they will need.
From a banking perspective as a perm resource, £70k seems quite low - that is AVP level PM, which is quite junior and basically a rung you should hit before 25/26. VP PMs usually drive more complex work, or have larger teams, and should be on or near £100k. There are loads of these, and the market is extremely fluid.
I would say industry and niche is more important than being a generic PM - as the basic PM skills are very easily off shored. Many organisations are moving away from having ‘manager’ resources that don’t actually understand the work that’s being delivered, or if not are using off shore resource… but thats just my view as someone who works in banking and has taken on change resources and sponsored large bits of work.
From a banking perspective as a perm resource, £70k seems quite low - that is AVP level PM, which is quite junior and basically a rung you should hit before 25/26. VP PMs usually drive more complex work, or have larger teams, and should be on or near £100k. There are loads of these, and the market is extremely fluid.
I would say industry and niche is more important than being a generic PM - as the basic PM skills are very easily off shored. Many organisations are moving away from having ‘manager’ resources that don’t actually understand the work that’s being delivered, or if not are using off shore resource… but thats just my view as someone who works in banking and has taken on change resources and sponsored large bits of work.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Seconded - Nepotism and Cronyism would imply employing someone without regard for their abilities. As another poster commented, PMs and any role at the level of of say £100K or £200K+ is going to have someone above you expecting serious results. So just because you are a cousin or a mate from Eton is unlikely to cut it. My reality was stickability - same industry(telecoms) for 20+ years. I PM'd for 3-4 years making good money but you are often under intense pressure to deliver on what sales sold, manage the budget which sales/mgmt want to complete too - often unrealistic, motivate/manage the kind of rapscallions who inhabit this forum and think they are hard done by. Me? Hated it so got the flock out of dodge and went to sales, same pressure, better pay and deal with less twunts!
To be clear PMs are worth every penny - I wouldnt do that job for love nor money!
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