Being made redundant - HELP
Discussion
After 3 years with my current company I have been invited to an interview to discuss my current role. The writing is on the wall and I am almost certainly going to be made redundant. I currently work as an account director, I’m aged 30 decent salary. I will only receive a small redundancy which should keep me going for about 2 months, I also have savings, which could see me through a further 6 months. My girlfriend who I live with works part time and we have a mortgage but no financial dependants.
Now, this is my decision I have worked in sales since turning 18 and completing my A-Levels. Now I could almost certainly get a similar job, probably not on the same money but enough to be comfortable and pay the bills. However I’m thinking it may be time for a change, I think I’ve had my fill with sales and would like to peruse an alternative career. I’ve done some research but can’t find much info, on grants to retrain etc does anyone know if anything is available? Any suggestions as a new career path? I've been thinking about a trade such as an electrician or a gas engineers or maybe a software developer as I'm pretty good with maths and logic. Thanks for reading and I appreciate any comments/suggestions.
Now, this is my decision I have worked in sales since turning 18 and completing my A-Levels. Now I could almost certainly get a similar job, probably not on the same money but enough to be comfortable and pay the bills. However I’m thinking it may be time for a change, I think I’ve had my fill with sales and would like to peruse an alternative career. I’ve done some research but can’t find much info, on grants to retrain etc does anyone know if anything is available? Any suggestions as a new career path? I've been thinking about a trade such as an electrician or a gas engineers or maybe a software developer as I'm pretty good with maths and logic. Thanks for reading and I appreciate any comments/suggestions.
bomma220 said:
Hi there I'm sorry to hear of your situation mate. In my experience re-training to be a gas/electrical engineer at age 30 would be a tricky thing given all the rules & regulations you need to get your head around. If you have a liking / aptitude for IT, that's the road I'd look at taking. My brother made a packet working as a freelance software consultant....
Thanks im hoping its a blessing in disguise. I think the software development is the leading option atm.Ozzie Osmond said:
Ozzie reckons:
The best way forward is to get into a job asap because,
1. It's easier to get a job from a job, and
2. You can trouser the redundancy cash.
Might well be what I have to do one thing I do have is renewed motivation which was lacking in a stale job for a number of reasons I wont go into. The best way forward is to get into a job asap because,
1. It's easier to get a job from a job, and
2. You can trouser the redundancy cash.
sploosh said:
I had a grant when I was made redundant, this was very local to the area I happened to be working in and closed soon afterwards due to public sector cuts. Doubt there is much around nowadays.
I negotiated with my employer and got paid for my notice without working it and a given a payment for retraining from them. If they are letting you go it is worth pushing for the best settlement you can get - nothing to lose.
Just move on. Redundancy doesn't have any stigma nowadays.
#I negotiated with my employer and got paid for my notice without working it and a given a payment for retraining from them. If they are letting you go it is worth pushing for the best settlement you can get - nothing to lose.
Just move on. Redundancy doesn't have any stigma nowadays.
The redundancy itself doesn't bother me, in fact quite the opposite I'm determined to turn this into a positive and move on, just need to find out in which direction.
Wilmslowboy said:
Software dev is a really compitive mkt (you are in competition with UK grads, as well as Indian & Eastern European code shops and unless you have some strong experience it's very hard to get a role.
If it's IT you really want perhaps try project managment, support/ service managment or training ??
or even a very specific infrastructure support role (Cisco, Microsoft, IPT, security products, DBA etc etc).
Being 30 with people skills, some life experience and commerial background will give you a head start in the first group.
I'm a tech leader of a fast growth FTSE 250 (6,000+ employees) two years ago 50% of our IT function were developers, today's it's 25% - Of the 40 people we've hired in the past 12 months less than 10% have been "developers".
That is great advice and I really appreciate it, project management does appeal I will look into it. Any recommendations of companies who offer the qualifications? If it's IT you really want perhaps try project managment, support/ service managment or training ??
or even a very specific infrastructure support role (Cisco, Microsoft, IPT, security products, DBA etc etc).
Being 30 with people skills, some life experience and commerial background will give you a head start in the first group.
I'm a tech leader of a fast growth FTSE 250 (6,000+ employees) two years ago 50% of our IT function were developers, today's it's 25% - Of the 40 people we've hired in the past 12 months less than 10% have been "developers".
Roo said:
I got made redundant in May last year. Best thing that ever happened to me in my work life.
If you fancy something different there's a severe shortage of HGV drivers.
Really? that does appeal to be honest i'm sick of being that "sales guy" and fancy something different. What is the pay like if you don't mind me asking? If you fancy something different there's a severe shortage of HGV drivers.
Wilmslowboy said:
Selfy study prince2 - month of constant reading the book, doing mock exams £50
Then do the foundation exam - one hour multiple choice £80 (I think)
If you can afford it do the 3-4 day course. £500 (I think)
This will get you a foot in the door - with your people skills, and commerial background you will be considered at least - we just hired an ex PA to run our project office (PMO)
Sign up with loads of IT recruitment agencies - they are the doorway to 99% of jobs - plus personal networking.
If support/ service managment as above but do ITIL .
Excellent this sounds like a really viable option I will look into it thanks. PS Any jobs? Then do the foundation exam - one hour multiple choice £80 (I think)
If you can afford it do the 3-4 day course. £500 (I think)
This will get you a foot in the door - with your people skills, and commerial background you will be considered at least - we just hired an ex PA to run our project office (PMO)
Sign up with loads of IT recruitment agencies - they are the doorway to 99% of jobs - plus personal networking.
If support/ service managment as above but do ITIL .
at the end...johnwilliams77 said:
Saying uber isn't for you....
We are all different but if I was paid off I would do nearly anything after a month or so trying to get something within my profession. Uber, dominos, whatever to bring income.
It isn't for me, I'm confident in my ability and will get a job. No disrespect to anyone who works for uber I just would not like to do it. If the chips were down which I hope they aren't I would shovel sWe are all different but if I was paid off I would do nearly anything after a month or so trying to get something within my profession. Uber, dominos, whatever to bring income.
t for a living so please don't judge me by my preferences for work, I'm trying to find a new career that I will enjoy doing anonymous said:
[redacted]
Thanks im based in the North East we're we have quite a software start up scence and I current work in SaaS sales so not totally alien to the industry and have a few contact who may be able to help me out. I do however travel regularly to London with work or did so in the next month or so I'm sure Ill be there and if the offer still stands would love to buy you a beer and pick your brains.
battered said:
That's exactly the right attitude. There is a tendency for people to assume that if they are made redundant they will inevitably end up as a trolley jockey at the supermarket when they used to be a surgeon. Of course they won't, and nor will you. You may want a change but that doesn't mean that you have to drive HGV or taxis. Neither of those routes pays the bills. OK, you may not fancy staying in sales butsomething else that uses your skils will be available. As I said before, get a short term fix in the shape of a sales job to pay the rent, then have a think about the long term options. Unless you are forced to do this while you are not working (sickness etc) then you are better doing this thinking while you are in a position to pay the rent and not rushing into things simply to get bills paid.
Exactly my attitude has and will always remain a positive one whatever I choose to do Ill graft my arse off making a success of it. Your advice is very wise and I do think this will be the option I take to give me chance to think things through or even train in my spare time while I work. Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff