Time to request redundancy? Who would be my next employer?
Discussion
I think I've reached one of those crossroads in life where you have to make some pretty big decisions, so naturally I'm turning to PH for advice 
Background is that I currently work in the energy industry and have the chance to apply for voluntary redundancy, if I get it I 'll get just over 52 weeks pay as my package.
Current job cuts across the Marketing and Transformation departments. Essentially my role is to design elements of the customer experience, I've got a long background in the operational business before moving into marketing so am well placed to understand what does and doesn't work from the customer's view.
Because I also have a good relationship with the guys in transformation I tend to find myself getting right into the requirements documentation, reviewing and approving them, as well as getting stuck into a lot of the discussions about delivery of our projects. I'm notably more involved in this side of the work than almost anyone else from the marketing dept.
Because of the nature of the work we do, I'm also adept at working within a regulated industry, for example, I have no problem wading through the Supply Licence and making my own assessments on regulatory requirements without having my hand held by a solicitor.
The contract BA's that I've worked closely with over the last couple of years have all said that I should seriously think about going contracting as a BA, although I haven't any formal qualifications in that line of work (just a lot of experience actually helping them to do their jobs and doing some of it myself!)
In a nutshell, my current job is comfortable, the commute is easy, the pay is decent, and I think I'm looking for some sort of steer as to whether deliberately rocking this boat is a good idea. I appreciate that contracting as a BA will be much more demanding, but then the pay should be very reflective of that, and realistically this is the only way I can significantly improve my earnings in the future.
Thoughts? Anyone been there and done it before?
Background is that I currently work in the energy industry and have the chance to apply for voluntary redundancy, if I get it I 'll get just over 52 weeks pay as my package.
Current job cuts across the Marketing and Transformation departments. Essentially my role is to design elements of the customer experience, I've got a long background in the operational business before moving into marketing so am well placed to understand what does and doesn't work from the customer's view.
Because I also have a good relationship with the guys in transformation I tend to find myself getting right into the requirements documentation, reviewing and approving them, as well as getting stuck into a lot of the discussions about delivery of our projects. I'm notably more involved in this side of the work than almost anyone else from the marketing dept.
Because of the nature of the work we do, I'm also adept at working within a regulated industry, for example, I have no problem wading through the Supply Licence and making my own assessments on regulatory requirements without having my hand held by a solicitor.
The contract BA's that I've worked closely with over the last couple of years have all said that I should seriously think about going contracting as a BA, although I haven't any formal qualifications in that line of work (just a lot of experience actually helping them to do their jobs and doing some of it myself!)
In a nutshell, my current job is comfortable, the commute is easy, the pay is decent, and I think I'm looking for some sort of steer as to whether deliberately rocking this boat is a good idea. I appreciate that contracting as a BA will be much more demanding, but then the pay should be very reflective of that, and realistically this is the only way I can significantly improve my earnings in the future.
Thoughts? Anyone been there and done it before?
Im going through the same issue just now so will be watching this will keen interest. My 'role' is being put at risk as it is going to be merged with another team, this puts me out and I have two options - redeployment or voluntary redundancy. Im an engineer, and as I work at a bank there is very little opportunity for me to find another job paying the same salary. If I pick redeployment I probably wont find a job within the bank. So would be made compulsory redundant anyways.
Im off the tools so to speak and approaching 47, so thinking on doing a H&S role, or going into business with the missus. Its a new experience and one that Im going to need to think about.
Im off the tools so to speak and approaching 47, so thinking on doing a H&S role, or going into business with the missus. Its a new experience and one that Im going to need to think about.
Blue Oval84 said:
The contract BA's that I've worked closely with over the last couple of years have all said that I should seriously think about going contracting as a BA, although I haven't any formal qualifications in that line of work (just a lot of experience actually helping them to do their jobs and doing some of it myself!)
I would make two observations:1) Nobody hires a contractor because they've helped somebody do something similar in the past. People hire contractors because they've done the job a million times before, preferably last week, and will hit the ground running. Trying to get, and keep, a contract without absolutely solid experience in the field you're targetting is going to very difficult.
2) Money is not a great reason to go contracting. Sure if you have niche skills, a solid portfolio of references, can keep in contract all the time, don't get ill, and are disciplined about not spending the taxman's money then there's no doubt it can be very lucrative - but there are an awful lot of contractors who are just about scraping by. It's definitely not a passport to infinite riches.
Personally, if you are well regarded within the BA community in your current workplace I would ask to be transferred there. After a couple of years you will have the experience both to point to on your CV, and to know if this is actually something that you want to pursue.
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