Recently, I heard someone say he refuses to take any low-paying jobs. He’s built his resume to the point where he only wants higher-profile work. Jobs that are typically meant for beginners or students, he leaves for them. If anyone asks him to take on smaller roles, he simply turns them down.
This isn’t unheard of. As businesses grow, time becomes limited, so many focus on the most profitable projects — and at that point, they’ve earned the right to be selective. That said, some people and companies have open schedules and still refuse lower-paying work once they’ve built their reputation. They worry it would devalue their brand and make them appear mid-tier instead of premium. It makes you wonder whether it’s possible to build an entire career by taking every job that comes your way, regardless of pay. A restaurant is a good example — even after becoming successful, most still keep cheaper, simpler dishes on the menu instead of shifting entirely to high-end options. They expand, but they don’t abandon their original offerings.
In contrast, service-based businesses like consulting or law typically raise their rates as they gain experience. There’s no single right way. It really depends on your goal. Are you trying to maximize income — in which case taking both high- and low-paying work might make sense? Or are you more focused on working on higher-quality, more challenging projects that fulfill you, especially if money isn’t the main factor?