when would you quit a high paid job you did not enjoy?

perth_worker

Thank you very much for all your kind messages and advice - it has really brighten up my day and made me feel better

Sorry I should have mentioned, all values were quoted in GBP. I used the conversion 1.5 AUD to 1 GBP so if you multiply the values by 1.5 it should give it the values in AUD.

My partner is very supportive and is probably the only reason why I am still in Australia instead of being back in the UK. He thinks I should work as long as I can in my current job for the rest of the year (2013) and go to Uni next year (2014) and to chill out an go with the flow - if I get made redundant in the meantime not to stress as I have savings to support myself and its not the end of the world. I know what he is saying in theory is true, but its hard to change the way you think and feel. His personality is a lot more chilled out then mine, I tend to worry a lot specially when I feel like I have no direction.

I think I would definitely like to go back to Uni next year. I enjoy learning, and I really enjoyed doing my bachelors degree (but not so much my masters, but I only choose to do that as I got funding), and I think going to uni will also be good socially as well and help make a few more friends in Perth and enjoy life a lot more. Also, I think I if I do not go to uni I will always think, what if...
Now I just need to convince myself life will be ok and if I quit my job/get sacked its not the end of the world.

I didn't even consider seeing a career advisor before. The last time I saw one, was when I was in secondary school and it wasn't that helpful but maybe it would be quite helpful now. I might try looking into finding one in Perth.

I would like to change employers, as suggested by a few of you guys (to see if the hate for the job is only because of the company I work for rather than the role) but I can't because of visa restrictions. To find a new employer, they would have to sponsor me and that would probably require me to sign a job contract for 1-2 years which I really don't want to do. I have applied for Australian Permanent Residency, which I should hopefully get a response to in the next few months which will give me a lot more freedom.

I use to think my dream was to earn lots and lots of money but now I just want to be happy. Its hard trying to find a balance - a part of me thinks I should just work for the next few years in my current industry, save hard and then I would never have to worry about finances in the future and can enjoy life but the thought of working in the role I currently do is killing me.


So my plan is, work hard for the next 3 months (till June) so I can try get a good reference and save as much as I can (how much saving is enough? I currently have 70k GBP/105 AUD and I think my monthly expenses is no more than 1300GBP/2000AUD).
Quit my job at the end of June, go back to England in July for a few weeks to see the folks and my family. Back to Perth in August and try a different employer in my current role (perhaps only for a few weeks even to see if I like it), seek professional career advice, do work experience in the new career path and perhaps start Uni next Feb....hmmm

I just hope I can survive that long and don't get made redundant/get too depressed before then.

ntb1

I've done it twice both times in the end ended up on slighly more money. For me life is about family and happiness and not about money as long as you can eat and pay the mortgage the rest isn't necessary.

My wife is about to leave teaching after 23 years and is taking a 60% pay cut. I'd agree with the earlier poster going on your replies you'll get chewed up and spat out of teaching.

Dumbe

Hi Perth worker,

I am guessing you are on a 471 visa? If so it is possible to move employers ...I know two people who have done so..

Neither were tied into 1 to 2 year contracts. Yes on the 471 visa the employer needs to fill in a bunch of forms , but the fees can be paid by yourself, I know people who have done this as not all employers are willing to stump up the fees.

Do not quit if you want to stay in ( unless of course you are not on a 471 visa but linked in some way to your partners visa which changes some of the advise) .. Doing so without a job to go to will affect your perm resisdency application.

What I suggest you do is look for jobs you are interested in .. Go to the interview and explain your visa situation.

If you have already put in your application for perm resisdency if you are lucky and have all the forms right, it can take as little as 6 weeks to come through..

Once you have your perm resisdency you can obviously move jobs just like an Australian with no form filling for your new employer.

Or go to uni - again once you have perm resisdency the fees lower for uni in Australia.. there are also some good career advice consultancies in Perth .. Maybe give one a call and see if they can offer you any help making your choices.

Pm me if I can help further

agrinnall

I did it at a time when I knew I had enough saved up to allow me to live with no job for several years. As it turned out I took 2 1/2 years deciding what to do, a year at university getting a Masters degree, and for the last year I've been working in my new career. I'm now up to about 75% of my previous salary, I may well never get back to the highest earning level I had but I am happier with the work I'm doing now, and I know things would have got a lot worse if I'd stayed where I was.

amateursaver77

Hi perth_worker, firstly I promise you that you are not the only one who has the feeling of dread that goes with all things work related. I think unless you are a footballer or something then life will always be tricky to have money on tap aswell as a good work/life balance. I personally feel like jacking it in sometimes but can't due to bills and debts etc - the responsibilties of being the sole breadwinner. What I would ask is that can you look for something closer to home for a start - I would hate to be away from my Wife and Kid's for any length of time, let alone 2 weeks at a time. Maybe it will involve a different job and less money but you will be happy for longer each day. Some people love and throw themselves into work and some don't. I would also add that I have a way of thinking that I try my best to follow if a situation is not good or can't be resolved quickly (doesn't work all the time but do try it) - I think that I would much rather it was me that was worried or upset about something than it being my Wife and Kid's - if anyone's going to worry, let it be me rather than them - try it to see if it even takes the edge off those feelings when you are having them. I would advise to spend what time you can looking for alternative employment (certainly a new/different career path) and you'll know when the right opportunity comes.

perth_worker

Thanks everyone for your messages...

I think that is the worse part of my job (going way for two weeks to a remote mine site) and the reason I lack motivation and ambition within this career. So ultimately I guess if I change employers the same foundational problems will still be there.

Anyway I keep telling myself these are the last three months I will have to do this role hopefully.

paddyrg

Companies usually compensate roles according to what they have to pay to get someone to do it, this is why fun jobs pay less than horrible ones. I've had well paid work which was driving me nuts, and am so glad I got out and switched industries. Now I earn a lot less, but am much happier too be and to be around. Yes, sometimes it's a bit hand to mouth, however there is no going back from the freedom and enjoyment of living my current life

alexjonsson

Hi perth_worker, you sound like a hydro or geotech. I'm a hydro too and have been in a similar position, although I never managed to save AUD105k - so well done there!

My advice is to stick with your current job until you get PR. Try your best, the worst they can do is make you redundant/sack you and you then won't have to work your PR retainer; and I'm not even sure they can do that as with your PR sponsorship they would have signed something to say they want you permanently. I'm surprised they sponsored you for PR if you really are writing crap reports and your technical skills are lacking.

Seek career advice, but my gut feeling is that if you are a hydro, a change of scenery is all you need. Endless swings in the bush are a killer and seem attractive at first before the reality of sitting on the back of a rig comes true.

As you know, times are tough in both Australia and UK. There is a market in UK for hydros with mining experience so maybe that is an avenue.

Please let us know what it is you do so that we can help!

MrPrinny

If I hated all aspects I would leave any job regardless of the pay as soon as it affected my health (stress etc)
Unfortunately low paid jobs can be just as stressful

Lilith1980

I am in a job now which pays higher than I have earned in quite a while, but am deeply unhappy and it's causing me stress.

Currently looking for work and have applied for a job with a substantial pay cut, but I know I will be happier and less stressed so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

It's made me realise how being much more comfortable money-wise isn't all it's cracked up to be if you're unhappy in your work.

I guess you have to decide how much longer you can stick it out where you are - but don't leave it so long that you get ill.