Anyone moved job for less money?

[Craiginuk]

Am considering getting back into the front line engineering wise and straying from the sales management side I seem to have ended up in. It'll still be a management role but more technical. Looking after a team offering technical support. And sadly that will command less pay. Anyone made the move for less money and never looked back?

[Mike_B]

Hi Craig,

I think you should ask yourself if the role is one you really want, also if you have long term aspirations, what effect would the move have. If you do really want the role (and / or it will be beneficial in the long run) AND you can live with a (I assume) sizeable pay reduction.. then go for it...

If you do take it, are you going to be on the Front line, or are you going to spend alot of time looking at reports on your team, their utilization, their customer sat scores, running post mortems on negative feedback etc...

[andrewcregan]

I left a good paying job to go back into full time education.
Many years later, I also left a job to a lesser paying job, although the long term prospects were excellent (which I am now enjoying!)
There are many good reasons to do it, and both my examples worked well for me.

[simoscribbler]

Yes, twice. In both cases I earned less initially, and ended up earning more. Simply because I was better at the new job than the old, and enjoyed it more too.

[Craiginuk]

Hi Mike,

You make some good points there. I guess to a certain extent there will always be the management side of things taking away from the front line technical side. I guess I need to compare the roles and also see if I can steer the role I am in now more to the technical side.

I think part of the problem is I have been in different roles in the same company for over 10 (14) years so the salary I am on is a bit unrealistic even for the position I am in! Anything i look at that interests me seems to be about 10-15k less..

Hi Craig,

I think you should ask yourself if the role is one you really want, also if you have long term aspirations, what effect would the move have. If you do really want the role (and / or it will be beneficial in the long run) AND you can live with a (I assume) sizeable pay reduction.. then go for it...

If you do take it, are you going to be on the Front line, or are you going to spend alot of time looking at reports on your team, their utilization, their customer sat scores, running post mortems on negative feedback etc...

[o u t a t i m e]

Yes, I took a massive salary cut once. But it payed off in the long term. It took about two years to reach the same level as the original salary, and another two or so years to double the original salary.

[BSB]

Back in the late 90s upon returning from the US where I was self-employed, I continued to run the business which involved working US-hours in the UK. I was earning really well but it wasn't conducive to a happy social life. Indeed, if one weekend your friends were otherwise engaged, you could go two weeks without any social contact. I was then offered a job on considerably less money in the UK which I accepted. Life became much more enjoyable and within a couple of years, I was made a director at the company and was earning well once more. I certainly had no reason to regret that particular move. Balance up all the changes the move would have upon your life - hours working, miles commuting, enjoyment of the work etc and try to make a rounded decision. Good luck.

[burnsey66]

IMHO it depends on personality.

For a time, I was the most materialistic person in the world and accordingly needed to earn shedloads to enjoy a lifestyle.

Then, one day, I gave it all up.

Now I am very humble and although I have many nice things, the ones I covet most are the people around me. Possessions are great, but I can now admire things, without having to own them.

[Foggy]

Yep, I've done it. I was pretty much being ruled by work, so walked away from a fairly well paid job just under two years ago, having made sure I had the mortgage covered first. Spent some time relaxing and spending time with my folks and family, then sold off a chunk of my watch collection. Did a bit of freelance part time work to keep the money coming in and am now about to return to paid employment, doing something new which I am passionate about, but on a much lower salary level than previous roles, and only part time. Being a role in education (non teaching), I do get the benefit of plenty of holiday. At 45, it's nice to have put myself in the position to have that choice.

Cheers

Foggy

[kevkojak]

I quite happily dropped a salaried position as logistics manager to going back to hourly pay/silly shifts running a loading bay and driving a fork-lift truck.
Best thing I ever did, the stress left me overnight!

The daft thing was it was virtually the same job, but I was on the ground instead of in an office attending pointless meeting after pointless sodding meeting!

Now I run a jewellers!

Turn my hand to anything, me.

[wildheart]

Yea many times. Commuting was killing me back in the 80's, so took a huge hit to be near my family.
Wound up my business when I lost my leg, retrained for two years, I now earn half what I did thirty years ago.

Money has never made me happy, the best job I ever had was as a Milkman playing cricket for Unigate twice a week! Happy Days!

[Corporalsparrow]

I once moved for no money. But it was a job I was fascinated by and desperate to do.

After 2 months I started getting paid a bit now and again. Then it became a small salary. Then it became a career.

So a good move I reckon.

[gbk0505]

It will come down to work / life balance. It is different for everyone.

I have left a couple of positions over the last 30 years for initially less money but more free time. Both decisions were made for the right reasons and have worked out well.

Whatever you decide you still need to match your earnings (or use of capital) with your required lifestyle.

Good luck with your decision

[-Ally-]

I have, I went from a job where I was being asked (more like forced) to work every hour going,to a 9-5 office job with no stress or time pressure. Realistically this cost me about £10-£15k, I've been in my new job for little more than 6 months and I now intend to quit working altogether and go to uni for a few years.


For me, having my evenings and weekends back meant more than the money. I am only 24 though and have no dependants etc so I guess everyone's situation will be different.

[gunner]

The closest I've got is turning down the offer of more money elsewhere. Enjoying your job, including the conditions and people you work with, is definitely worth a few grand.

[JNH]

Enjoying your job, including the conditions and people you work with, is definitely worth a few grand.

Couldn't agree more. It's easy to forget that when you think you're stuck in a job that pays well but treats you like garbage. You're never stuck. Take less if needed, but enjoy your job and the people you spend your day with.

[Enda]

I moved from a large multi national to a small startup about 7 years ago and took a fairly significant pay cut to do so. At the time I wasn't happy in my job, so was willing to take the cut just to move somewhere else. It's taken me 6 years to start earning more than I left the previous job for, but I'm now getting itchy feet again and currently trying to decide if I should set my own business up (in a completely different area to my current job) or to move to a similar role in another company!

[markc]

I've done it. Move from private sector to work at a University. Took a 5k a year pay cut and lost the company car.

However - I now earn considerably more than I would have done in the role I was in, have much better and wider experience, am respected by my peers, have a great work/life balance, benefit from a final salary pension and live within cycling distance of where I work.

I always tell people who are considering new opportunities:

1) You spend at least 1/3 of your adult life "working" so you might as well do something that you enjoy.

2) You have a huge amount of influence on what job you actually get. i.e. Only apply for the good ones, find out if they are worth your while by doing research, target your application/CV (ask the advice of a headhunter or similar if you aren't confident about your "pitch"). When you get an interview - be yourself and use the opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the role, find out more about it and demonstrate your ability to carry out the job. Most interviews are "won" on rapport between the interviewee and interviewer(s). my view is that if you can't achieve this - then you probably wouldn't fit in anyway.

3) Make sure you can afford to do what you want to do (take into consideration family, etc.)

A bit waffly I know but what I'm really saying is "do what you want to do not what you feel you have to do"

Cheers,

[Corporalsparrow]

Do what you love.

If you love it, you will become good at it.

If you're good at it, people will pay you to do it.

And you will be successful at it.

[burnsey66]

Do what you love.

If you love it, you will become good at it.

If you're good at it, people will pay you to do it.

And you will be successful at it.

You didn’t by any chance watch a chap on the telly say that did you?

Not taking the pee, a genuine question.

[Velorum]

Done it a number of times

First time was in the 80's when I applied for a job 3 grades down in the NHS in order to get back to what I trained to do

Most recently - from the heady position of senior strategic management to a specialist nursing role

Try it - its good for the soul

[j0hnbarker]

I sacked off a comfy civil service job to retrain as a doctor. Started on 1/2 my old salary after a 6 year gap, so probably more like 2/5 of my old wage in real terms with the increments taken out.

Was a great move, but you need to have conviction to take that kind of step. There was less risk in that I knew it would come good in the end and I would kick myself later in life if I hadn't gone and followed my dreams, but I appreciate those might not be the exact set of circumstances you're weighing up OP.

Good luck to you in whatever you decide to do.

[rockinrobin]

Do you live to work, or work to live?

I work to live, do the hours I want to do and don't feel too guilty about having a morning with my feet up as long as the bills get paid and there's money in the bank for holidays etc.

Another driving instructor 3 doors away from me lives to work. She starts around 8am and is often out teaching for 12 hours or more. OK, they've got a slightly bigger house and all the posh fixtures and fittings you can imagine, but how often is she there to enjoy them?


When I became a driving instructor, I had been working as a shift manager in security for a large German car manufacturer who was building a factory in West Sussex (I think that's good enough to beat the confidentiality clause!). I'd been there about 6 months when I was asked to move over to the management team as project security manager. My pay trebled over night, but so did the stress. I found that the office politics involved in that role drove me to drink - literally. Becoming a driving instructor allowed me to run my own diary and set my own targets. I've never looked back, even though saying I was project security manager for [insert luxury car manufacturer here] sounded bloody good, that didn't do a thing for my sanity.

[Mr Curta]

As the Chinese philosopher Confucius said; “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Works for me, I would far rather enjoy my job (which I do immensely) than have an increase in salary but dread each working day.

[Steveh]

Yep.... left a job paying more money, but since i left the job im a lot happier, money isnt everthing in a job(it helps) its definitely more about being happy in your work. If you enjoy your job the time seems to fly by.

[Craiginuk]

Thanks everyone. Big choices ahead. It's early days as I have only just started looking but nice to hear the good feedback. I agree money isn't everything. Would love to get back to a point where I enjoy getting up in the morning for work!

[Tomw2000]

IMHO it depends on personality.

For a time, I was the most materialistic person in the world and accordingly needed to earn shedloads to enjoy a lifestyle.

Then, one day, I gave it all up.

Now I am very humble and although I have many nice things, the ones I covet most are the people around me. Possessions are great, but I can now admire things, without having to own them.

Wise words indeed.

More money will buy you more time and choice. Not more happiness.

[JC180]

I have had staff join me for less than they were on as the job represents better training, experience and support and within months I put them on more than they were on previously.

I have at the moment someone practically begging me for a job even with a 50% cut in salary from his present job. Nice position to be in but I don't really have a role for him and I'm not quite a charity just yet. I probably will find something for him though.

The moral is that happy staff need so much more than just good pay (which is still important) a sense of achievement, validation, and progression offer more satisfaction day to day than a few hundred £££ in the pocket.

I worked in a job that I didn't particularly like and every day was a chore, for 7 years.... The reason I stayed is at the experience was wide ranging and extremely useful to my career and I was in university on day release. I left when I qualified to start my own business but never fell out with the old regime and they have been a great source of business either directly or by recommendation ever since.

If you think the new role will offer you the above and a possibility that pay will close the gap and perhaps overtake at some point in the future then go for it.

[cricketer]

Just over 10 years ago I packed in a £45k pa job to set up my own business with no guarantee of any income ...does that count?

Best work related decision I ever made

cheers

Alan

[langtoft lad]

I get taking a step back to change or alter a career path... a short term penalty for a long term gain.
But what about those of us reaching the end of our working lives?
There is the pressure to maximise earnings whilst its still possible whilst the compunction to ease back and enjoy life whilst still fit and healthy.
Would you choose a 4 day week administrative position with a lesser salary, and make the necessary adjustments to lifestyle - or continue with a high pressure & stressful job to maximise earnings to keep one in the style which one has become accustomed ???

[tixntox]

I work to live and not the other way around. If you enjoy what you do, OK but if you don't, the money can't make you happy. Money can give you pleasure but not happiness. Knowing the difference is the key!

Now back to sleep!

Mike

[gray]

I did, albeit about 25 years ago. The plan was to change carrier paths and it worked. The result being that I have earned many times what I would otherwise have done - if that's any meaningful measure.

[Montybaber]

I am resurrecting this thread as I have this week accepted a new position on significantly less pay, most would think I am mad but I have spent the last few years hiding a sick feeling in my stomach every morning leaving for work, I honestly thought it would get better but if anything it got worse, obviously i sucked it up and nobody except my girlfriend had any idea how unhappy i was

The trouble was on the outside looking in I had the perfect job, good salary (not TZ good but reality good) good hours, my own boss to a degree, great benefits etc also my salary has increased year on year and this has added to the pressure if finding another job making me feel trapped

Anyway..this past month I decided to go for it, it was incredibly hard finding an employer who was not concerned why I was taking the reduction in salary (approx 10-15k) this didnt ever occur to me (naive) in fact I thought I would be seen as 'quite a catch' :)

I have found a local job, great hours, nice working environment (I think) great new boss and resigned on Thursday, once the initial relief/joy/excitement subsided I have started to worry a bit about finances, obviously I didnt make this decision lightly and everything was set/worked out and it is obviously acheivable but there is still this nagging in my head, I feel a bit of a failure and angry at myself for struggling so much that I had to put my girlfriend through potentially hard times

Anyway, she is insistant it is the right decision, she is normally right on these things and sees my happiness as the most important thing, there is the pressure now to actually enjoy the job!!

I will lose my company car, I will be relegated to a heap/dog commuter car and that suits me fine, I have just bought a Rolex (Hulk) it was maybe a stupid decision but I was top if the list and I doubt it will lose a huge amount, I could always sell it if times are hard

I hope I look back on this as a life changing moment (in a positive way) I just need to stop the worrying ;)

[Dave+63]

Life’s what you make it and money isn’t everything. It’s a very liberating feeling to stop chasing the money and do something you actually enjoy.

Usually, you’ll end up being better off both financially and health wise as you’ll work harder and better if it’s something you’re enjoying doing.

Hopefully you’ll look back at this as one of the best decisions you ever made.

Good luck!

[PipPip]

In January I started a new job on £20k increase in base salary above my old job. I immediately knew it was a mistake, aggressive and miserable culture with rediculous working hours, but I had been made redundant from my old job so was in a bit of a quandary. Soon a new opportunity came up and after just 3 months in the role I quit the higher paid job and took another new job, which paid about the same as the previous role from which I had been made redundant. It did take a lot of interviews and having to explain about 8 times to my new employer why I was willing to take the £20k pay cut and why I wanted to leave after just 3 months. Luckily they were great and accepted the 3 month role as a solitary mistake on an otherwise unblemished 24 year career. Very glad I did it as my new employer is fantastic with flexible/home working and they are already talking about me taking on some other interesting elements in the role and increasing my salary/bonus accordingly.

[Der Amf]

At a much lower level, I once jacked in a relatively well paid job for a very moderately paid one, and it was one of my best decisions. I loved the job, I looked forward to each day, I felt proud of what I was doing, and it did me a world of good. And easier to love a cheap car that reminds you that you chose to be happy than an expensive car that tells you how unhappy you are.

[beechcustom]

Yes, twice. In both cases I earned less initially, and ended up earning more. Simply because I was better at the new job than the old, and enjoyed it more too.

I think there is something to be said for this. I became a self employed musician in late 2008 and initially it was literally hand to mouth. I have since travelled the world and had a whale of a time working abroad. In 2014 I decided to stay in the UK and have gradually built up a teaching business plus am getting more gigs in with more bands/clients/agents. I am now earning more most weeks than I did in a month when I was employed.

[Roth1]

I've been in a similar position myself and was in a job that I gradually grew to hate over an 18 month time frame. I was mega stressed and unhappy and would be snappy with family and friends. I came to the conclusion that no job/career is more important than your health and happiness.
I took an initial pay cut and left from a very secure job for life to a temporary job (eventually being made permanent) with no stress and little pressure. It was the best thing i ever did. I felt better in myself, people around me immediately noticed the difference, and I started appreciating life again and what was important to me.
You only get one chance on this planet, you should live the life that suits you and not one that others may strive for.
Good luck and enjoy the important things in life.

[Montybaber]

Thankyou everyone

[Omegamanic]

Happiness is a lot more important than money. I almost started working full time again this year, minus a half day each week, but will be dropping back to part time very soon. I’ll miss the additional income, and being able to treat the kids more often, but I value my personal time and happiness/freedom a lot more.

[bloater]

I’ve never been in that well a paying job, heck some of the cuts people have mentioned are more than I earn in a year.

Happiness is more important that money to me, I’ve chased money and worked my self silly only to end up being made redundant twice, and being taken advantage off by several other companies.
My current employer needed to save money so cut all staff hours, being a little brighter than most of the others and being the only member of staff who can cover every role in the business when needed, I seized the change to suggest shifts, making sure I got a pattern that suited me, fast forward a few months and everyone else has had there hours restored, me I declined as my working hours suit me.

[Mj2k]

Good for you in recognising the signs and making the changes. I didn't until after my mental health was affected & took a while to get myself back on track.

Yes, I can't just buy things willy-nilly these days & sometimes pause a little before buying things. I've learnt it's amazing how much crap you can purchase that isn't really needed.

I've never been happier in life than with a lower income, I shared that same stomach feeling & would often start Sunday pm & start ruining the end of a weekend.

The comment previously about a crappy car reminding you how happy you are vs a posh one reminding you of misery really resonated with me - I remember being stuck in traffic one day, and every stitch on the leather dash seemed to be a reminder that I'd chased cash & the corporate ladder, and all it had done was make me miserable and no longer myself.


Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

[bonzo697]

I am resurrecting this thread as I have this week accepted a new position on significantly less pay, most would think I am mad but I have spent the last few years hiding a sick feeling in my stomach every morning leaving for work, I honestly thought it would get better but if anything it got worse, obviously i sucked it up and nobody except my girlfriend had any idea how unhappy i was

The trouble was on the outside looking in I had the perfect job, good salary (not TZ good but reality good) good hours, my own boss to a degree, great benefits etc also my salary has increased year on year and this has added to the pressure if finding another job making me feel trapped

Anyway..this past month I decided to go for it, it was incredibly hard finding an employer who was not concerned why I was taking the reduction in salary (approx 10-15k) this didnt ever occur to me (naive) in fact I thought I would be seen as 'quite a catch' :)

I have found a local job, great hours, nice working environment (I think) great new boss and resigned on Thursday, once the initial relief/joy/excitement subsided I have started to worry a bit about finances, obviously I didnt make this decision lightly and everything was set/worked out and it is obviously acheivable but there is still this nagging in my head, I feel a bit of a failure and angry at myself for struggling so much that I had to put my girlfriend through potentially hard times

Anyway, she is insistant it is the right decision, she is normally right on these things and sees my happiness as the most important thing, there is the pressure now to actually enjoy the job!!

I will lose my company car, I will be relegated to a heap/dog commuter car and that suits me fine, I have just bought a Rolex (Hulk) it was maybe a stupid decision but I was top if the list and I doubt it will lose a huge amount, I could always sell it if times are hard

I hope I look back on this as a life changing moment (in a positive way) I just need to stop the worrying ;)

I live in Dorset too. I moved down here five years ago to be nearer to family and to get away from commuting and high living costs in the SE. Finding work in my field is difficult down here and I now earn around £40k a year less than I could in my previous location. The advantage is that I get to work from home and to enjoy the beautiful surroundings with none of the stress I had previously.

[JPCain86]

Just to play devils advocate. I ft the same as you 6 months ago but bottled leaving. The way I see it if I stick at this job for longer earning more I will reap the benefits when I retire. If for whatever reason I don't make retirement I will know that I have definitely left my family in a strong position.

[Cyclone]

When I changed companies a couple of years ago I effectively took a cut as it was the same money but I was going from home based to office based so I had commute costs. 2 years later and I've progressed through the ranks and really chuffed that I made the decision to change jobs. My advice is if you like the look of the job and can afford it, go for it

[Estoril-5]

Has anyone moved to a lower paying job and regretted it?

It's great to see so many successes, but surely they can't all be like that, can they?

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

[snowman]

I once moved jobs for more money (despite having huge reservations, everything I raised as a doubt, they said "We'll sort that out" or "No problem, we can do something different") and it was a total disaster.

If you're not happy in a job, money won't make you happier.

I got made redundant from the job and was out of work for a while, but I was happier with no income than I had been in the job!

Obviously, that can only last so long and having some savings built up helped!

M.

[Xantiagib]

must admit selling off the odd watch kept me going in-between jobs once....

[mowflow]

I'm in a real career quandary at the moment. I hate my current job and don't particularly enjoy what I do for a living anymore. I've been trying to specialise in the one area of the job that I do enjoy but jobs are far and few between and I keep coming a "close second" in every interview. I really wish they would stop giving me this useless information.

My current job isn't particularly well paid (by TZ measurements) and we have little savings or provision for any sort of retirement which at 41 keeps me awake worrying at night. As the only person bringing money into the house I have the weight of supporting the whole family on my shoulders. Despite this my wife can see how miserable I am spending 11 hours a day somewhere I hate and is encouraging me to just chuck it in and do something I enjoy. I hate being a risk averse worrier.