Career change

[Bobby the blue]

I’m after some advice or basically stories of success to help me/motivate me or give me the push I need.

I’m seriously considering trying something else. I’ve been in my job for 20 odd years and I’m starting to really really hate it.

I do a good job but I get treated like shit and any good I do just doesn’t feel like it matters anymore.

I’m 44 and have a few qualifications and quite a few transferable skills.

I’m thinking of paying to do one of those professional cvs so that I can sell
Myself as I’m not fantastic at it.

So any tips or stories of success
I earn quite well but I’d be happy to take a pay cut as I’m pretty unhappy in this job and just not sure I can continue doing it which is a shame as I used to really enjoy it and felt like I was making a difference.

 

[xmusampa]

Your not working in the nhs by any chance are you?

 

[1961_vintage]

What do you do and what do you want to do?

 

[surprisedbygrass]

This book really helped me when I was looking at a career change in my forties .

In the end I didn't change my profession but it helped me realize it was a job not a vocation. I cut my hours and I focused on the things that mattered to me in my free time .

Good luck

What Color Is Your Parachute? - Wikipedia https://share.google/ia2tUJl7YYrC81uEI

 

[TheGhost]

I’m after some advice or basically stories of success to help me/motivate me or give me the push I need.

I’m seriously considering trying something else. I’ve been in my job for 20 odd years and I’m starting to really really hate it.

I do a good job but I get treated like shit and any good I do just doesn’t feel like it matters anymore.

I’m 44 and have a few qualifications and quite a few transferable skills.

I’m thinking of paying to do one of those professional cvs so that I can sell
Myself as I’m not fantastic at it.

So any tips or stories of success
I earn quite well but I’d be happy to take a pay cut as I’m pretty unhappy in this job and just not sure I can continue doing it which is a shame as I used to really enjoy it and felt like I was making a difference.

Do a triple crown accredited MBA

 

[Gaz76]

If the OP has been in his job 20 years and is only just starting to hate it then it can't be that bad, I usually last about 20 mins before the hate starts

 

[hampshireblue]

I’m after some advice or basically stories of success to help me/motivate me or give me the push I need.

I’m seriously considering trying something else. I’ve been in my job for 20 odd years and I’m starting to really really hate it.

I do a good job but I get treated like shit and any good I do just doesn’t feel like it matters anymore.

I’m 44 and have a few qualifications and quite a few transferable skills.

I’m thinking of paying to do one of those professional cvs so that I can sell
Myself as I’m not fantastic at it.

So any tips or stories of success
I earn quite well but I’d be happy to take a pay cut as I’m pretty unhappy in this job and just not sure I can continue doing it which is a shame as I used to really enjoy it and felt like I was making a difference.

It sounds like it's the employer, not the job.

 

[pee dubya]

You may have already considered it, but I second the suggestion of cutting hours if feasible. You said you're willing to take a pay cut and a 3 day weekend makes a huge difference to quality of life and can reinvigorate you at work.

You could try that first, and even if you still hate your job it'll give you a bit more time and energy to explore other options or maybe do courses etc.

 

[Earlyriser]

I’m after some advice or basically stories of success to help me/motivate me or give me the push I need.

I’m seriously considering trying something else. I’ve been in my job for 20 odd years and I’m starting to really really hate it.

I do a good job but I get treated like shit and any good I do just doesn’t feel like it matters anymore.

I’m 44 and have a few qualifications and quite a few transferable skills.

I’m thinking of paying to do one of those professional cvs so that I can sell
Myself as I’m not fantastic at it.

So any tips or stories of success
I earn quite well but I’d be happy to take a pay cut as I’m pretty unhappy in this job and just not sure I can continue doing it which is a shame as I used to really enjoy it and felt like I was making a difference.

Without giving some indication of what you currently do, what skillsets you have and what you would like to do it really is impossible to provide any meaningful advice. If there is a red flag in what you have written it is your age . No amount or professional CV writing is going to hide that fact. It sounds brutal but that is the modern reality.

 

[ob]

Worked 12 hour shifts in factory making circuit boards for all things electrical and beyond for 17 years. Saw a board in a PC and got curious. Aged 40 did a course on PCs. Moved from Northern Ireland to London 23 years ago and been working on IT Helpdesk in those 23 years. 5 for NHS and last 18 for Historic Royal Palaces who look after place's like Hampton Court Palace, Tower of London, Kensington palace, Kew palace, Banqueting house and Hillsborough castle in Northern Ireland.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

I’m after some advice or basically stories of success to help me/motivate me or give me the push I need.

I’m seriously considering trying something else. I’ve been in my job for 20 odd years and I’m starting to really really hate it.

I do a good job but I get treated like shit and any good I do just doesn’t feel like it matters anymore.

I’m 44 and have a few qualifications and quite a few transferable skills.

I’m thinking of paying to do one of those professional cvs so that I can sell
Myself as I’m not fantastic at it.

So any tips or stories of success
I earn quite well but I’d be happy to take a pay cut as I’m pretty unhappy in this job and just not sure I can continue doing it which is a shame as I used to really enjoy it and felt like I was making a difference.

Is it the job generally, the specific work you do, the company, a manager or something else? Have a good think about it and write down the things you like and the things you don't like. Also what sort of work or situations that have or would make you happy.

What do you consider your transferable skills are and what sort of roles would they be useful in? In the modern world of work and easy to read CV definitely helps but it's equally important to tailor it to roles you apply for, rather than send out a generic CV. Automated CV scanning applications look for keywords directly related to the advertised role so you have to include those to have a chance of getting through the initial screening.

 

[smevchenko]

Without giving some indication of what you currently do, what skillsets you have and what you would like to do it really is impossible to provide any meaningful advice. If there is a red flag in what you have written it is your age . No amount or professional CV writing is going to hide that fact. It sounds brutal but that is the modern reality.

I went down the whole career change about 7 years ago (was 36 at the time), having spent 18 years in retail. Did a coding 'bootcamp' for 3 months and eventually got a role within IT before moving on to a more specific data role elsewhere.

I don't disagree that age could be a concern for employers, however, I found my experience in retail actually helped me get a role in an industry that I had no previous experience in, or relevant qualifications. During interviews they were keen to discuss transferable skills and more interested in the commitment to change careers.

 

[Scottyboi]

I will be in the same boat as of January, put myself forward for voluntary after 10 years. Need a pint and some time to think about what comes next.

 

[Bobby the blue]

Thank you all for the advice. I’m just bit nervous etc but I it’s something I’ve been thinking of for a while. Although no spring chicken I hope there’s still
A bit of life in me yet.

Thanks again all for the advice.

 

[Bobby the blue]

Is it the job generally, the specific work you do, the company, a manager or something else? Have a good think about it and write down the things you like and the things you don't like. Also what sort of work or situations that have or would make you happy.

What do you consider your transferable skills are and what sort of roles would they be useful in? In the modern world of work and easy to read CV definitely helps but it's equally important to tailor it to roles you apply for, rather than send out a generic CV. Automated CV scanning applications look for keywords directly related to the advertised role so you have to include those to have a chance of getting through the initial screening.

it’s definitely who I work for and the people in it. It’s not something I can change and although i know I do my best I’m just not sure I want to be part of the organisation anymore.

I’m definitely going to take some time off and have a proper look at what’s about and maybe do a few courses etc.

Thanks again for the reply. Appreciated.

 

[Scottyboi]

Thank you all for the advice. I’m just bit nervous etc but I it’s something I’ve been thinking of for a while. Although no spring chicken I hope there’s still
A bit of life in me yet.

Thanks again all for the advice.

There is more to life than being stuck in a job that makes you unhappy, even on less pay just feeling free of that burden and learning something new can help you feel more alive. Onwards and upwards!

 

[Blue Mist]

@Bobby the blue

I feel I must congratulate you on starting a thread where 'smash the back doors in, smash the windows and torch the gaff' doesn't feature in the answer.

 

[Bobby the blue]

There is more to life than being stuck in a job that makes you unhappy, even on less pay just feeling free of that burden and learning something new can help you feel more alive. Onwards and upwards!

Thank you. That’s a lot of what I’m thinking right now.

 

[Bobby the blue]

@Bobby the blue

I feel I must congratulate you on starting a thread where 'smash the back doors in, smash the windows and torch the gaff' doesn't feature in the answer.

It’s early yet.

Although this is the off topic section and I get the feeling anything goes down here.

 

[ob]

Thank you all for the advice. I’m just bit nervous etc but I it’s something I’ve been thinking of for a while. Although no spring chicken I hope there’s still
A bit of life in me yet.

Thanks again all for the advice.

Good luck with whatever you do Bobby the first step is usually the most difficult. I was home recently talking to friends who still work in that factory. Some for almost 40 years. They seem happy enough it's paid for their mortgages, paid for their children to start Uni etc but after what I've done in my life I'm glad I jumped when I did.