Relocating to London - am I employable?
Discussion
Hello, I'm looking for some advice if anyone would be so kind.
Basically I've got quite an adventurous spirit and living in my hometown does not cut the mustard anymore.
I currently live with family which is less than ideal and having recently turned 24, I feel it really is time to vacate the nest as soon as possible. I could easily rent a house around here but the thought of doing so pains me. I want to try something new and London appeals.
The reason for this thread is because I'm a little overwhelmed with the whole process of looking for new employment and I'm not sure if my experience will be relevant elsewhere.
I've worked for a small(ish) software company who provide warehouse/logistics/tracking solutions for the last 4 years. I started learning the ropes doing technical support and then they started sending me out on site and now I'm one of the main two guys who does the majority of installations and training. I think it's a fairly responsible role - the contracts are worth many tens of thousands and if I do a bad job, we don't get paid.
Anyway, I feel like I've learned a lot and been exposed to many different 'situations' which has given me valuable experience which I could demonstrate at interview. Other parts of the job include working with SQL, writing Crystal reports and testing new programs etc - usual software house stuff. I think one of my main plus points is being good with our customers and managing their expectations well which always seems to result in positive feedback.
However, four years is a long time and I feel like a new challenge. There are not any promotion opportunities where I am and my pay is not great (around 23k).
My concerns are as follows - I do not have a degree and I'm not sure how transferable this experience is. Basically I'm lacking direction. I don't really care what I move to as long as it's a step in the right direction with a decent company. It doesn't even need to be software related but I would prefer to move away from the logistics side of things.
Has anyone been in a similar situation or can anyone offer any advice?
Thanks in advance!
Basically I've got quite an adventurous spirit and living in my hometown does not cut the mustard anymore.
I currently live with family which is less than ideal and having recently turned 24, I feel it really is time to vacate the nest as soon as possible. I could easily rent a house around here but the thought of doing so pains me. I want to try something new and London appeals.
The reason for this thread is because I'm a little overwhelmed with the whole process of looking for new employment and I'm not sure if my experience will be relevant elsewhere.
I've worked for a small(ish) software company who provide warehouse/logistics/tracking solutions for the last 4 years. I started learning the ropes doing technical support and then they started sending me out on site and now I'm one of the main two guys who does the majority of installations and training. I think it's a fairly responsible role - the contracts are worth many tens of thousands and if I do a bad job, we don't get paid.
Anyway, I feel like I've learned a lot and been exposed to many different 'situations' which has given me valuable experience which I could demonstrate at interview. Other parts of the job include working with SQL, writing Crystal reports and testing new programs etc - usual software house stuff. I think one of my main plus points is being good with our customers and managing their expectations well which always seems to result in positive feedback.
However, four years is a long time and I feel like a new challenge. There are not any promotion opportunities where I am and my pay is not great (around 23k).
My concerns are as follows - I do not have a degree and I'm not sure how transferable this experience is. Basically I'm lacking direction. I don't really care what I move to as long as it's a step in the right direction with a decent company. It doesn't even need to be software related but I would prefer to move away from the logistics side of things.
Has anyone been in a similar situation or can anyone offer any advice?
Thanks in advance!
Firstly, great write up of competencies; might even spark some interest from potential employers. Secondly, view this as you would any other change of organisation/role/location; do your prep! I'd make sure my CV was top drawer, scour the ads and step up my networking. PM me if any further detailed support would be helpful. Good luck!
Search on www.jobserve.com - with your skills there should be work out there.
rog007 said:
Firstly, great write up of competencies; might even spark some interest from potential employers. Secondly, view this as you would any other change of organisation/role/location; do your prep! I'd make sure my CV was top drawer, scour the ads and step up my networking. PM me if any further detailed support would be helpful. Good luck!
Cheers, was trying not to waffle too much. CV update is in progress!Gargamel said:
YHM
Received and replied.ewenm said:
Search on www.jobserve.com - with your skills there should be work out there.
Looks promising, ta.Location Location Location
When I first moved to London I was living near Wimbledon and my first job was near Acton, now that is a distance of appx 8 miles, no real issue there then
Except it was, impossible to drive in under 2 hours and public transport took appx the same
So when it comes to somewhere to live choose carefully, you want a decent line into a main hub like London Bridge or Waterloo and check carefully where the job is, nearest tubes etc
When I first moved to London I was living near Wimbledon and my first job was near Acton, now that is a distance of appx 8 miles, no real issue there then
Except it was, impossible to drive in under 2 hours and public transport took appx the same
So when it comes to somewhere to live choose carefully, you want a decent line into a main hub like London Bridge or Waterloo and check carefully where the job is, nearest tubes etc
rog007 said:
Firstly, great write up of competencies; might even spark some interest from potential employers.
I thought exactly the same! Really good precis of your CV, OP 
rog007 said:
Secondly, view this as you would any other change of organisation/role/location; do your prep! I'd make sure my CV was top drawer, scour the ads and step up my networking.
This ^^ wise words as usual.Once you get immersed in job-hunting, you'll soon get a feel for the differences in salaries and the different roles you'd be in with a shot at. Once you get that idea, happy job-hunting! There's no better time to job-hunt than whilst ensconced in a role.
fido said:
Or learn to use the tube and buses .. it's less than an hour on the District and Picadilly Lines 
Should have been more specific North Acton and it was Motspur Park I lived in so20 mins to Wimbledon
District line to Notting Hill Gate
Central Line to NA
It was about 1:30 when everything worked OK....which it rarely did
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