it's me again!!!

[japgt]

well, some of you may remember my previous thread back in September or so of last year regarding being dropped to part time hours and then thankfully being put back to full time???

well, new years eve, i got dropped back down to part time again, and quite frankly im getting pissed off with being messed about, in fairness, i think my company are doing everything they can to keep hold of me until they hit a period of stability, but i dont want the hassle of up and down hours every few months when there doesn't in my opinion seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

so, as per my last request, i'm looking for gainful, stable, full time work in or around Stoke on Trent/Stafford/West Mids, preferably involving cars in some way shape or form, however, with no experience of any type in the motor trade, i can see i'm going to struggle with this request!!!

my background is Property surveying/estimating, and have been with my current company for 10 years, i love what i do, but seeing as the opportunity has presented itself, i thought id try and swap to the motor trade in some way as i obviously have a massive interest in anything with an engine!!!

now the difficult bit, i'm heavily tattooed, nothing dodgy, but in places that are visible, i know there isn't the same stigma around this that there used to be, but i'm still aware it's not everyone's cup of tea. i also have a minor criminal record from 20 years ago, one time offence, never in trouble before or since, and completely out of character, wont go into detail on an open forum, but willing to discuss in detail via pm if required to do so.

so guy's and girls, if there is anyone out there willing to give a tattooed, ex-crim who wants a career change to something he has never done before a chance, i'd love to hear from you.

In all seriousness, i don't want smart arse comments about the whys and wherefores, im aware that i haven't helped myself with various life decisions, but am a genuinely nice guy, who works hard and is 100% loyal and willing to work hard to learn new things.

thanks in advance, and i look forward to hopefully hearing from someone who is willing to give a man a chance.

cheers

[elanfan]

First off - Good Luck!

Second the criminal record will be regarded as 'spent' so does not need to mentioned.

People will be wary of tattoos - the very fact you have mentioned them means you know they will cause a problem. If you want to/are prepared to have them lasered to remove them you might help yourself?? Otherwise maybe you could post up a photo of the tats (maybe with central face obscured) - this would give a potential employer a heads up on what to expect prior to an interview or job offer.

Lastly - Good Luck!

Edited by elanfan on Friday 3rd January 23:47

[mybrainhurts]

japgt said:

i'm heavily tattooed... i know there isn't the same stigma around this that there used to be

Oh, I wouldn't say that...

[bad company]

Sorry, as an employer I was very wary of tattoos. If they were visible I would not employ.

[SV8Predator]

japgt said:

i thought id try and swap to the motor trade in some way as i obviously have a massive interest in anything with an engine!!!

There are job opportunities in the motor trade, if you have the qualifications. But, just as an example, you're not going to get a job as a mechanic, if you are not qualified.

I hesitate to include places like Halfords, and of course car sales, as being "motor trade" but you can easily get into both of these sorts of jobs with no prior motor trade experience or qualifications. And in both cases, the career path is up to you. If you are good at your job you will progress.

[conanius]

I don't know how 'bad' your tattoos are, but what are we talking about here, a ball of fire racing down your face, or you've got some ink on your arms that can be covered by a shirt?

If you can make them discrete, I'd suggest you do that where you can if you feel conscious of them.

[japgt]

sv8predator - i have no experience whatsoever in the motor trade and my age would probably prevent me from doing a mechanics course or similar, however, i don't see any reason why i couldn't in theory do it. i wouldn't imagine i would get in somewhere like halfords or sales due to the aforementioned tattoos in visible places, however, it is definitely worth looking into, so will make enquiries.

Conanius - the tattoos are nothing hideous in my opinion although i'm most probably slightly bias, most of them are coverable, but i have my right hand tattooed, so even a long sleeve shirt wouldn't cover that one, my neck is also tattooed but is hidden once i'm wearing a shirt. nothing facial or anything nasty or poor taste.

like i say, i dont see what the big issue is nowadays with ink, pretty much everyone has it, and it doesnt mean you are un-employable, or a nasty gangster or anything like that, mine were only entered into through love of different types of art and its my way of expressing it!!!

i have had an email of a chap who has seen my thread with details of a job local to me and some contact details, and it sounds right up my street, so will be making enquirie's tomorrow.

[SV8Predator]

japgt said:

sv8predator - i have no experience whatsoever in the motor trade and my age would probably prevent me from doing a mechanics course or similar, however, i don't see any reason why i couldn't in theory do it.

Are you a really skilled home mechanic though? Do you know your way around your Subaru as well as any "qualified" person? This can often be the case.

If so, a small independent Subaru specialist may give you a chance, maybe after a week's work for free to show how good you are?

[japgt]

i have done a lot with my car, but ive always had amuch more competent person assisting me with whatever i have done, but wouldnt say i was really skilled if im honest, one of my biggest issues is having no confidence in my ability to do things and i kind of talk myself out of them before i even get a chance!!! lol

[Foppo]

I hope somebody gives you a change,you sound like a decent honest bloke to me.Tattoos or not.I have met plenty of people in my live with nice suits and phoney smiles.I rather deal with your kind.Good luck.>

[japgt]

Foppo said:

I hope somebody gives you a change,you sound like a decent honest bloke to me.Tattoos or not.I have met plenty of people in my live with nice suits and phoney smiles.I rather deal with your kind.Good luck.>

Thats really nice of you to say, i may look a bit scary and have made some bad choices in life, but hey, who hasn't at some point, i'm being honest when i say i'm a genuinely nice fella who is loyal to a fault and will work bloody hard to prove myself to anyone willing to give me a chance.

The industry i'm in currently, insurance, is full of slimy suited people with the morals of sewer rats, i'm dealing with them daily and is the only thing i hate about the job. the front line staff are not to bad, it's when you start talking to loss adjusters and network managers that's when you really realise the type of people who roam the planet!!! lol

Thanks for the good luck wish...

[blindswelledrat]

Good luck OP, you sound like a decent bloke.
Don't mention your criminal record. It is completely pointless to mention it as it is invalid now, and your employer is not allowed to check you (unless you go into certain types of jobs)
Mentioning a record that old almost makes you sound like you have some kind of thing with it.
Can't help or advise you up there Im afraid but I hope someone does.

[SV8Predator]

japgt said:

The industry i'm in currently, insurance, is full of slimy suited people with the morals of sewer rats,

You may fit in to main dealer car sales then....

[japgt]

SV8Predator said:

You may fit in to main dealer car sales then....

Lol, I must admit car sales would not be on my list of perfect jobs for pretty much that very reason, I've been on the end of many a line from car sales people and can honestly say I have never met one that I felt 100% comfortable dealing with...

My faith in humanity has been restored by some of the kind comments above, its nice to know the world isnt full of idiots, so thanks for that guys.

[blindswelledrat]

japgt said:

Lol, I must admit car sales would not be on my list of perfect jobs for pretty much that very reason, I've been on the end of many a line from car sales people and can honestly say I have never met one that I felt 100% comfortable dealing with...
.

Do you not think that might be an incentive to give it a go?
If that's your impression then you must surely think you can do it better?

[japgt]

blindswelledrat said:

Do you not think that might be an incentive to give it a go?
If that's your impression then you must surely think you can do it better?

your right of course, i'm pretty certain I could do the job and do it better than most i've had experience of, however, i'm realistic enough to discount it on the basis of my appearance, I cant see a car retailer of any type giving someone who looks like I do a front line customer facing position which is a shame.

In an ideal world im thinking along the lines of starting at the bottom in a bodyshop as would like to get in to that side of things and appearance wouldnt be such an issue as a front line customer facing role would be, I can alway hope!!!s

[blindswelledrat]

Im curious now. I know tattood people and employ a couple of them. With a shirt/trousers they look absolutely fine.
I would go as far as too say that when I meet people who look really thuggish and they turn out to be nice people - I artificially like them even more than I should because I have pre-judged them.
Is it just the tattoos or are you a real fking mess?

Well worth posting that as a question in General Gassing where some actual main dealers can answer you from experience because I thought (maybe naively) that times had changes in that regards.

Actually, Ive just realised you have LOVE and HATE tatood across your knuckles and "fk the Police" across your face haven't you?

[japgt]

blindswelledrat said:

Im curious now. I know tattood people and employ a couple of them. With a shirt/trousers they look absolutely fine.
I would go as far as too say that when I meet people who look really thuggish and they turn out to be nice people - I artificially like them even more than I should because I have pre-judged them.
Is it just the tattoos or are you a real fking mess?

Well worth posting that as a question in General Gassing where some actual main dealers can answer you from experience because I thought (maybe naively) that times had changes in that regards.

Actually, Ive just realised you have LOVE and HATE tatood across your knuckles and "fk the Police" across your face haven't you?

not at all, i wear a shirt and trousers for work currently and apart from one tattoo on my right hand none are visible, that is where the problem lies, one tattoo on the hand a fully visible even with suit and tie on, i think it is a little naive to think anyone would give someone in my position a customer facing role where first impressions are so important, please don't take offence at that, it's just my opinion and i may well be totally wrong, i'm 40 years old this year and have always had it drummed into me by parents from an early age that first impressions are so important and my thinking is based on this alone really.

I will post up in the general gassing section as you suggest and see what opinions come across, this may well influence me differently with regards to applying for that type of job in the future.

for the record the tattoo on my hand is my youngest sons name "Enzo" and the word "Love" in script writing, my plan was to have the other hand tattooed with "Humour", as in my world those are the two most important things in life....

[sparkythecat]

Couldn't you just wear a glove?
Ater all, it didn't do this chap any harm

[maffski]

japgt said:

...for the record the tattoo on my hand is my youngest sons name "Enzo" and the word "Love" in script writing...

As a customer that wouldn't bother me at all, I probably wouldn't even notice it.

However, you could always try http://www.tattoocoverup.co.uk/