Changing career
Discussion
FocusRS3 said:
Fair play you're obviously a man who knows .
How about on the sales side for a main dealer though ? I think those guys do ok providing you don't mind working some Sunday's
I guess the rant gave it away How about on the sales side for a main dealer though ? I think those guys do ok providing you don't mind working some Sunday's
As you say Sales guys generally do OK. Basic is normally mid teens. But obviously when you are expected to sell 130-150ish cars a year, you can reasonably expect to be earning mid to late 40s. Sundays as you say are normally a rota. 1 in 3 or 1 in 4. But they get a day off in the week to offset losing their Saturday.
I wouldn't have said it was a growing sector though. Lots of guys who do it have been at it for years. Not many are leaving to do something else so far as I can tell. I think the ads you see for sales execs is because the dealer has let one go recently for failing to hit target and need to replace them.
I daresay there's a happy medium between trying to sell shed loads of Kia's to council idiots who want a base spec, new car on the drive to impress the neighbours. To the guy selling a RR Phantom every other week. Probably find VW/Audi, BMW, MB, Ford are relatively easy.
I'm not sure it's so much a change of career that's needed so much as a change of employer.
I work in IT and of course there's the odd day when things don't go as planned or you get caught up in workplace politics but beyond that I basically get paid for doing a hobby - what's not to like about that?
I'm not knocking the idea of waking up one morning thinking "I want to be a florist" but I simply wonder how much of it is down to other factors.
I work in IT and of course there's the odd day when things don't go as planned or you get caught up in workplace politics but beyond that I basically get paid for doing a hobby - what's not to like about that?
I'm not knocking the idea of waking up one morning thinking "I want to be a florist" but I simply wonder how much of it is down to other factors.
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hstewie said:
hstewie said: I'm not sure it's so much a change of career that's needed so much as a change of employer.
I work in IT and of course there's the odd day when things don't go as planned or you get caught up in workplace politics but beyond that I basically get paid for doing a hobby - what's not to like about that?
I'm not knocking the idea of waking up one morning thinking "I want to be a florist" but I simply wonder how much of it is down to other factors.
The way I sussed out for me that I need to do something else. I work in IT and of course there's the odd day when things don't go as planned or you get caught up in workplace politics but beyond that I basically get paid for doing a hobby - what's not to like about that?
I'm not knocking the idea of waking up one morning thinking "I want to be a florist" but I simply wonder how much of it is down to other factors.
If you've done a career for a long time. And worked in several places. And even when you change employer, you still don't feel any different towards the role. Then I guess you've reached the end of it.
I've just turned down a contract offer at £520/day. Not quite sure why they interviewed me given I'd told them I wouldn't accept a rate that low. Seems nuts really given I'm just sat at home wearing out the sofa, avoiding calls from recruiters and honing my Xbox Battlefield skills (quite exceptional now).
I did have a meeting with a specialist marketing agency about getting a prototype for some software into production. Just waiting on them to tell me whether they think it's worth putting to one of their contacts and how to package it. I'm no salesman so need someone else to find me a customer.
If I can break out of contracting into selling a product, for richer or poorer, I think I'd be a lot happier. Giving myself until the new FY to find an exit door or I'll be back scrounging for work paid by the clock.
I did have a meeting with a specialist marketing agency about getting a prototype for some software into production. Just waiting on them to tell me whether they think it's worth putting to one of their contacts and how to package it. I'm no salesman so need someone else to find me a customer.
If I can break out of contracting into selling a product, for richer or poorer, I think I'd be a lot happier. Giving myself until the new FY to find an exit door or I'll be back scrounging for work paid by the clock.
The government are coming after IT contractors and for good reason, I suspect a lot of people will find their once seemingly lucrative but ultimately unrewarding careers go down the toilet.
I gave up contracting years ago when the .com bubble burst (2001) and it was really difficult to find a job. I did lose out short term but learned a lot and quickly climbed the IT ladder. I now work in Digital change management, whatever that is but I do OK out of it!
What I've learned is you only get out what you put in and you can end up comfortable and well paid if that's what you want. Instead of quitting altogether, write a list of the positives vs the negatives in your current role and look to eliminate the latter. In the current economic climate I don't know many people having an amazing time so just paying the bills is a bonus.
I gave up contracting years ago when the .com bubble burst (2001) and it was really difficult to find a job. I did lose out short term but learned a lot and quickly climbed the IT ladder. I now work in Digital change management, whatever that is but I do OK out of it!
What I've learned is you only get out what you put in and you can end up comfortable and well paid if that's what you want. Instead of quitting altogether, write a list of the positives vs the negatives in your current role and look to eliminate the latter. In the current economic climate I don't know many people having an amazing time so just paying the bills is a bonus.
wormus said:
The government are coming after IT contractors and for good reason, I suspect a lot of people will find their once seemingly lucrative but ultimately unrewarding careers go down the toilet.
I gave up contracting years ago when the .com bubble burst (2001) and it was really difficult to find a job. I did lose out short term but learned a lot and quickly climbed the IT ladder. I now work in Digital change management, whatever that is but I do OK out of it!
What I've learned is you only get out what you put in and you can end up comfortable and well paid if that's what you want. Instead of quitting altogether, write a list of the positives vs the negatives in your current role and look to eliminate the latter. In the current economic climate I don't know many people having an amazing time so just paying the bills is a bonus.
Have you done the prep for your annual performance review yet?I gave up contracting years ago when the .com bubble burst (2001) and it was really difficult to find a job. I did lose out short term but learned a lot and quickly climbed the IT ladder. I now work in Digital change management, whatever that is but I do OK out of it!
What I've learned is you only get out what you put in and you can end up comfortable and well paid if that's what you want. Instead of quitting altogether, write a list of the positives vs the negatives in your current role and look to eliminate the latter. In the current economic climate I don't know many people having an amazing time so just paying the bills is a bonus.
bhstewie said:
hstewie said: I'm not sure it's so much a change of career that's needed so much as a change of employer.
I work in IT and of course there's the odd day when things don't go as planned or you get caught up in workplace politics but beyond that I basically get paid for doing a hobby - what's not to like about that?
I'm not knocking the idea of waking up one morning thinking "I want to be a florist" but I simply wonder how much of it is down to other factors.
Thing is, I do love certain aspects of the job. However, I have changed jobs three times in the last two years and each time, I seem to have ended up stuck in a rut. Could be my bad choices. However, after making the last two moves, I've noticed the job hasn't been as advertised. These are things you can't find out until you take the plunge.I work in IT and of course there's the odd day when things don't go as planned or you get caught up in workplace politics but beyond that I basically get paid for doing a hobby - what's not to like about that?
I'm not knocking the idea of waking up one morning thinking "I want to be a florist" but I simply wonder how much of it is down to other factors.
If I'm honest, I think I need to go into a more specialist part of the role. I would like to get involved in the security side of things (antivirus, network security etc.). However, I would need to find a role that would allow me to develop as I have never done anything like that before.
At the moment, I think I'm rotting as I was told I was being hired to put a new ERP syestem in. In reality, I've been hired to monitor a helpdesk. I get bored and get depressed. I even asked on Friday about being more involved in the new system. I said I'm willing to pick up things my colleagues have been working on. I was told quite bluntly that there isn't anything for me to do in that respect.
johnfm said:
DSLiverpool said:
xjay1337 said:
Mid 20s
Would love to work for a car magazine or similar.
Won't happen though ;-(
Start one - see ShmeeWould love to work for a car magazine or similar.
Won't happen though ;-(
I started a car magazine with 2 mates. Needs some cash - but can be done.
It is hard to make £££ from it though!!
I can't leave a 40% tax band paying job for a "maybe".
I'd love to do something for an OEM, test driving, or ECU calibrations.
funkyrobot said:
If I'm honest, I think I need to go into a more specialist part of the role. I would like to get involved in the security side of things (antivirus, network security etc.). However, I would need to find a role that would allow me to develop as I have never done anything like that before.
Have you seen the user Oldbangers profile from your conversation with him earlier? He mentions the word 'autodidact' i.e. a self taught person. Take a look at a jobsite wit security jobs, see what they ask for and make a list. Now you need to wake up in the morning and study, you need to use your lunch hour for study, you need to study on the commute to work, you need to study in evenings and weekends.
Then use that knowledge to demonstrate you are the person best suited to that entry level security role, take a qualification if needed. Your aim of finding the role first is not proactive enough.
hyphen said:
Have you seen the user Oldbangers profile from your conversation with him earlier? He mentions the word 'autodidact' i.e. a self taught person.
Take a look at a jobsite wit security jobs, see what they ask for and make a list. Now you need to wake up in the morning and study, you need to use your lunch hour for study, you need to study on the commute to work, you need to study in evenings and weekends.
Then use that knowledge to demonstrate you are the person best suited to that entry level security role, take a qualification if needed. Your aim of finding the role first is not proactive enough.
Thanks. Will do.Take a look at a jobsite wit security jobs, see what they ask for and make a list. Now you need to wake up in the morning and study, you need to use your lunch hour for study, you need to study on the commute to work, you need to study in evenings and weekends.
Then use that knowledge to demonstrate you are the person best suited to that entry level security role, take a qualification if needed. Your aim of finding the role first is not proactive enough.
Generally, I'm ok with teaching myself things. Currently rebuilding an old bicycle using online guides etc. May be attempting a bit of spannering soon too.
Funnily enough, I've been looking at Certified ISMS Foundation courses myself!
e.g. http://www.itgovernance.co.uk/it-governance-traini...
Not sure how much attention is paid to this qualification though
The cyber security EPQ also looks promising https://www.theengineer.co.uk/new-cyber-security-q...
e.g. http://www.itgovernance.co.uk/it-governance-traini...
Not sure how much attention is paid to this qualification though
The cyber security EPQ also looks promising https://www.theengineer.co.uk/new-cyber-security-q...
hyphen said:
There is no he or she, its all 'Ze' now. So we are both mistaken 
Meh, Oxford is late to the party. The Finns etc have been gender neutral for generationskentlad said:
I'd happily work 200 days a year in those conditions and earn £120k...as i'm sure 90% of people in any industry would be...now where do i sign up? 27, no experience in IT other than excel (I'm a management accountant)
Similar sort of position as you, but I'm older. I worked in accounts dept for years, My employer for the last 5 years had no IT support. So I step in and have gained a lot of experience from there and I have always been good with IT. Even helped roll out Office 365 across our regional offices! Kazakhstan was interesting! Decided I wanted to get into Forensic IT and paid up for a course with Guidance software.But finding a job will be quiet hard as I have no direct experience.
Rich_W said:
I'm not sure I buy that. Wages are low. A Tesco delivery driver (google says) earns between £6.88-9.73 per hour.
Average Tech wages in the UK? Somewhere between 10-14. Not worth it anymore.
I've done this for a long time. I like to think I'm half decent at it. But I'm honestly sick of it. Cars get ever more complicated and ever more shodily built. They are more unreliable than 15 years ago. Manufacturer times for warranty are forever being cut. There's increasing amounts of paperwork the tech is expected to do. So the various service advisors can avoid doing any actual work. (What is the point in a tech spending an additional 5-10mins per job on paperwork that could easily be done my non productive staff already on site! You are expected to own your own tools (currently guessing at £20K worth)
And realistically I'm at maybe 95% of my earning potential without becoming a Aftersales manager. And IME experienced Techs don't become managers. They tend to be service or parts advisors who get the nod over the techs because "well it's not like you talk to customers" (Actually I am expected to go and deal wth customers when the service advisor cannot understand them) Failed techs become Workshop controllers, who all THINK they are master techs but struggle to diagnose a blown blub
There is a dramatic shortage of decent apprentices coming through as well. The majority seem to fall into it because "you like Top Gear, go and work in a garage" And they just aren't interested in learning it. Its become the default choice for wasters! SO you would think that with a lack of staff, wages would rise. NO. Not all techs are equal. A lot are frankly ste. But they are cheap. And managers love cheap over expensive. Expensive paradoxically means they don't earn as much for the company. They are doing more complicated jobs that take longer and generate less for the dealer. Even though giving a decent tech £20p/h of that £150+ the customer pays probably wont hurt them and might, just might, make their staff happier...
Wouldn't recommend the motor trade to ANYONE!
I think this needs to be printed out and handed to anyone who expresses an interest in the motor trade! Terrible industry in my opinion - Its a Physically demanding, dirty, bad for your health, poorly paid, poorly respected job with little to no promotion prospects or transferable skills valued in the wider job market. Id urge anymore thinking about it to seriously reconsider!Average Tech wages in the UK? Somewhere between 10-14. Not worth it anymore.
I've done this for a long time. I like to think I'm half decent at it. But I'm honestly sick of it. Cars get ever more complicated and ever more shodily built. They are more unreliable than 15 years ago. Manufacturer times for warranty are forever being cut. There's increasing amounts of paperwork the tech is expected to do. So the various service advisors can avoid doing any actual work. (What is the point in a tech spending an additional 5-10mins per job on paperwork that could easily be done my non productive staff already on site! You are expected to own your own tools (currently guessing at £20K worth)
And realistically I'm at maybe 95% of my earning potential without becoming a Aftersales manager. And IME experienced Techs don't become managers. They tend to be service or parts advisors who get the nod over the techs because "well it's not like you talk to customers" (Actually I am expected to go and deal wth customers when the service advisor cannot understand them) Failed techs become Workshop controllers, who all THINK they are master techs but struggle to diagnose a blown blub
There is a dramatic shortage of decent apprentices coming through as well. The majority seem to fall into it because "you like Top Gear, go and work in a garage" And they just aren't interested in learning it. Its become the default choice for wasters! SO you would think that with a lack of staff, wages would rise. NO. Not all techs are equal. A lot are frankly s
te. But they are cheap. And managers love cheap over expensive. Expensive paradoxically means they don't earn as much for the company. They are doing more complicated jobs that take longer and generate less for the dealer. Even though giving a decent tech £20p/h of that £150+ the customer pays probably wont hurt them and might, just might, make their staff happier...Wouldn't recommend the motor trade to ANYONE!
Edited by Rich_W on Saturday 10th December 22:47
I did find the breakdown industry niche a hell of a lot more enjoyable in comparison to a workshop environment, but where you gain in salary and job satisfaction, you lose in terms of work life balance - 60+ hour weeks, no weekends, shifts times that would vary from day to day and 7-8 day work weeks meant the shine eventaully wore off. It was a decent enough earner, but there's more to life than money (although now I am a student, I am not so sure about that!).
Faced between the rock of no life outside work and chronic tireness/depression or the hard place of working at a dealer, I chose neither and instead have lumped myself with the eye watering amount of debt, live like a pauper and go to uni in hope that i might actually end up with a interesting, rewarding job at the end of it. At this point I would have done anything to get me away from the trade...
Thread update.
Parked everything over the last few months as I've been dealing with a bout of general anxiety disorder (as diagnosed last month). Just awaiting a follow up appointment to see if I can get this sorted. I guess it doesn't help things when you are feeling rubbish about work.
I've been thinking about what I would like to do. It's quite a change, but one thing that is leaping out is bike mechanic. It's something I've been doing for a bit at home now and I'm really, really enjoying it. I like the technology side of it, I like the engineering and I like the exercise (been riding again since the end of December and I currently weigh over two stone less than I did this time last year).
I've had with the IT industry as a whole. I've taken a look around at various options, but nothing seems to excite me. The only snippet that I could think of is getting back into the data side of things, like I used to do with the NHS 12 years ago. That is long behind me though and things have moved on since.
I guess the next step is to look at bike mechanic courses and get some training done. Luckily, there is place not far from me that covers accredited courses. Not cheap, but worth it though I'm sure.
In terms of my current job, it's not nice. There have been a load of redundancies as of late. I am also part way through a grievance about my manager with my colleague.
Parked everything over the last few months as I've been dealing with a bout of general anxiety disorder (as diagnosed last month). Just awaiting a follow up appointment to see if I can get this sorted. I guess it doesn't help things when you are feeling rubbish about work.
I've been thinking about what I would like to do. It's quite a change, but one thing that is leaping out is bike mechanic. It's something I've been doing for a bit at home now and I'm really, really enjoying it. I like the technology side of it, I like the engineering and I like the exercise (been riding again since the end of December and I currently weigh over two stone less than I did this time last year).
I've had with the IT industry as a whole. I've taken a look around at various options, but nothing seems to excite me. The only snippet that I could think of is getting back into the data side of things, like I used to do with the NHS 12 years ago. That is long behind me though and things have moved on since.
I guess the next step is to look at bike mechanic courses and get some training done. Luckily, there is place not far from me that covers accredited courses. Not cheap, but worth it though I'm sure.
In terms of my current job, it's not nice. There have been a load of redundancies as of late. I am also part way through a grievance about my manager with my colleague.
A lot of people in this thread sound a bit like me... stuck in the money trap with no qualifications or experience relevant to change career and still be earning a decent wage.
I'm contracting at the moment (engineering not IT) and currently working in a nice environment on top money for the role I do, but the politics and poor management is making it unbearable, as well as unsociable hours. We're expected to be grateful for the job and money and just get on with it...
Changing contract would see a £6 an hour pay cut and possibility of being out of work in the summer. Plus I'm really fed up of the job so it won't get any better elsewhere.
Anyone want to pay a 25 year old 50k+ per year to change career who has no qualifications and very specific experience? Thought not... to a lot of people that sounds like a lot of cash, and it is, if you managed to buy a house 20 years ago for buttons, the rise in cost of living is easier to swallow then!
Best of luck OP. The people who seem happiest at work are usually those who find work to do with their hobby!
I'm contracting at the moment (engineering not IT) and currently working in a nice environment on top money for the role I do, but the politics and poor management is making it unbearable, as well as unsociable hours. We're expected to be grateful for the job and money and just get on with it...
Changing contract would see a £6 an hour pay cut and possibility of being out of work in the summer. Plus I'm really fed up of the job so it won't get any better elsewhere.
Anyone want to pay a 25 year old 50k+ per year to change career who has no qualifications and very specific experience? Thought not...
to a lot of people that sounds like a lot of cash, and it is, if you managed to buy a house 20 years ago for buttons, the rise in cost of living is easier to swallow then! Best of luck OP. The people who seem happiest at work are usually those who find work to do with their hobby!
279 said:
I think this needs to be printed out and handed to anyone who expresses an interest in the motor trade! Terrible industry in my opinion - Its a Physically demanding, dirty, bad for your health, poorly paid, poorly respected job with little to no promotion prospects or transferable skills valued in the wider job market. Id urge anymore thinking about it to seriously reconsider!
I did find the breakdown industry niche a hell of a lot more enjoyable in comparison to a workshop environment, but where you gain in salary and job satisfaction, you lose in terms of work life balance - 60+ hour weeks, no weekends, shifts times that would vary from day to day and 7-8 day work weeks meant the shine eventaully wore off. It was a decent enough earner, but there's more to life than money (although now I am a student, I am not so sure about that!).
Faced between the rock of no life outside work and chronic tireness/depression or the hard place of working at a dealer, I chose neither and instead have lumped myself with the eye watering amount of debt, live like a pauper and go to uni in hope that i might actually end up with a interesting, rewarding job at the end of it. At this point I would have done anything to get me away from the trade...
LOL, Just read this and we have followed the same road,apart from I'm still pounding the tarmac as a breakdown tech. I love the job but I'm frazzled with the lack of sleep,time off and poor eating habits. Not going back to the workshop or MOT testing as it has all turned to crap,wages have been static for 10 years+ but the technology just keeps moving on and you are expected to deal with it with no training or backup. What are you studying at Uni?I did find the breakdown industry niche a hell of a lot more enjoyable in comparison to a workshop environment, but where you gain in salary and job satisfaction, you lose in terms of work life balance - 60+ hour weeks, no weekends, shifts times that would vary from day to day and 7-8 day work weeks meant the shine eventaully wore off. It was a decent enough earner, but there's more to life than money (although now I am a student, I am not so sure about that!).
Faced between the rock of no life outside work and chronic tireness/depression or the hard place of working at a dealer, I chose neither and instead have lumped myself with the eye watering amount of debt, live like a pauper and go to uni in hope that i might actually end up with a interesting, rewarding job at the end of it. At this point I would have done anything to get me away from the trade...
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