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Ask HN: High paid job with low accountability?

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Ask HN: High paid job with low accountability?

#1

Post by lazythrowaway »

This question is a bit toungue in cheek, but I am wondering if it is possible to shape a career towards the title goal.

I am pretty successful in my current work life - Under 25 with a 100k ish total compensation. I've always pushed myself, but lately I just feel lazy.

I've heard stories of boring positions in big companies where you don't have to do much of anything, you don't learn anything, and you don't advance, but you can collect high salaries if you get the position and there's not a lot of work expectations.

Is there a way to reliably get a job with a decent salary, but one can coast along doing very little from 9-5?

Re: Ask HN: High paid job with low accountability?

#3

Post by jacquesm »

Bankrobber?

You're not just asking for a high paid job with low accountability, you're also asking for a place where you don't have to learn (so a stagnant field) without advancement that's an area of the cube that is totally empty as far as I know.

I suggest you get off your ass for the next 10 years, save like mad and then retire from your savings at as low an expense level that you can get away with.

Re: Ask HN: High paid job with low accountability?

#4

Post by jacquesm »

nilsimsa wrote: post #2

Basically any middle management position in a large enough company.

That's accountability by definition. Your ass will be on the firing line for every decision that doesn't work out, whether done by those below you or above you doesn't matter.

You're labelled mr. or mrs. Expendable.

Re: Ask HN: High paid job with low accountability?

#6

Post by howeyc »

jacquesm wrote: post #4
nilsimsa wrote: post #2

Basically any middle management position in a large enough company.

That's accountability by definition. Your ass will be on the firing line for every decision that doesn't work out, whether done by those below you or above you doesn't matter. You're labelled mr. or mrs. Expendable.

That has not been the case everywhere I have worked. Also not anywhere I have been as an outside contractor. Perhaps it's the industry.

Anyway, all I've seen is a bunch of "Cover Your Ass" and reluctance to make decisions by middle management. I think OP would love such a position. Very little "work," just a bunch of delegating and meetings to review progress. Be ready to embrace a life of looking at Excel spreadsheets.

Middle Management is high enough that you can blame an underling when things go sour, yet high enough that you can command pay for your "value" of managing people.

Re: Ask HN: High paid job with low accountability?

#9

Post by pseudometa »

jacquesm wrote: post #4
nilsimsa wrote: post #2

Basically any middle management position in a large enough company.

That's accountability by definition. Your ass will be on the firing line for every decision that doesn't work out, whether done by those below you or above you doesn't matter. You're labelled mr. or mrs. Expendable.

In a well run and effecient organization, yes... in a stale, ineffecient organization where incentives are not there, but keeping the status quo is king, then no. Like others have said, look at government and military contractors.

Re: Ask HN: High paid job with low accountability?

#10

Post by Kurtz79 »

jacquesm wrote: post #3

Bankrobber? You're not just asking for a high paid job with low accountability, you're also asking for a place where you don't have to learn (so a stagnant field) without advancement that's an area of the cube that is totally empty as far as I know. I suggest you get off your ass for the next 10 years, save like mad and then retire from your savings at as low an expense level that you can get away with.

Bankrobber : high risk, high accountability.

Investment Banker, on the other hand...

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