Starting again at 41.
Discussion
Please bear with me as this is a tad long winded.
I've recently relocated to the south coast, I was fortunate in that I could carry on working on a self employed basis as a buyer for my last company whom i've been with for 21 years.
Unfortunately due to a down turn i've had my hours cut and to be honest this wont work long term.
So at the grand old age of 41 I'm looking for a new job.
I started by getting all the electronic/electromechanical companies in the Sussex area and literally drove out there with my CV and cover letter and went knocking on doors - from that bugger all.
Then I joined up with a few agencies as a pal told me that most jobs go through agencies, I applied for quite a few and they've forwarded my CV across but apart from 1 job interview again nothing.
I went for a (first ever) job interview last week for a senior buyer and by Christ what a sobering experience that was. Despite constantly asking the agency for feedback i've received nothing and I feel i'm being fobbed off.
I've had 2 knock backs this week where i've not even made the interview stage, I guess its welcome to the real world but i'm struggling tbh and getting a bit fed up.
I've spent the last 21 years in a small manufacturing company using systems that are prehistoric and I feel that this coupled with my lack of qualifications is hindering my progress.
I know that a lot of companies use SAP - I have never used this but to go forward I feel I maybe have to re-train in this.
Part of me wants to carry on doing what I know, another part of me wants to start all over again. Thing is starting again then what do I do? Its back to warehouse work or a bit of van driving.
I wish I could turn the clock back 20 years but there you go.
Sorry for the ramblings but I just need some advice.
Thanks in advance and please go easy
Cheers.
I've recently relocated to the south coast, I was fortunate in that I could carry on working on a self employed basis as a buyer for my last company whom i've been with for 21 years.
Unfortunately due to a down turn i've had my hours cut and to be honest this wont work long term.
So at the grand old age of 41 I'm looking for a new job.
I started by getting all the electronic/electromechanical companies in the Sussex area and literally drove out there with my CV and cover letter and went knocking on doors - from that bugger all.
Then I joined up with a few agencies as a pal told me that most jobs go through agencies, I applied for quite a few and they've forwarded my CV across but apart from 1 job interview again nothing.
I went for a (first ever) job interview last week for a senior buyer and by Christ what a sobering experience that was. Despite constantly asking the agency for feedback i've received nothing and I feel i'm being fobbed off.
I've had 2 knock backs this week where i've not even made the interview stage, I guess its welcome to the real world but i'm struggling tbh and getting a bit fed up.
I've spent the last 21 years in a small manufacturing company using systems that are prehistoric and I feel that this coupled with my lack of qualifications is hindering my progress.
I know that a lot of companies use SAP - I have never used this but to go forward I feel I maybe have to re-train in this.
Part of me wants to carry on doing what I know, another part of me wants to start all over again. Thing is starting again then what do I do? Its back to warehouse work or a bit of van driving.
I wish I could turn the clock back 20 years but there you go.
Sorry for the ramblings but I just need some advice.
Thanks in advance and please go easy
Cheers.
Can't add much more than it's a numbers game. Get on the internet, jobserve, jobsite etc...
Get the C.V. well written and into every agent that has a job that fits you're experience 75+%.
It takes a little while to get the ball rolling, but once enough agent have your C.V. you'll find more interviews and options coming along.
Just for reference my OH is a very experienced, well qualified Finance/Accountancy type person. She's been seriously looking for about a month now. Has been put forward for about 8 jobs, had maybe 4 or 5 interviews with no success, yet. But it's only gonna be a matter of time until she finds something.
There's a lot of people chasing the work so just keep at it.
Get the C.V. well written and into every agent that has a job that fits you're experience 75+%.
It takes a little while to get the ball rolling, but once enough agent have your C.V. you'll find more interviews and options coming along.
Just for reference my OH is a very experienced, well qualified Finance/Accountancy type person. She's been seriously looking for about a month now. Has been put forward for about 8 jobs, had maybe 4 or 5 interviews with no success, yet. But it's only gonna be a matter of time until she finds something.
There's a lot of people chasing the work so just keep at it.
Some really good advice there. It's about tackling this as you would any other issue; plan well and then execute that plan with precision. Be sure of what you're after, get as well qualified and experienced as you can (including volunteer work or work experience whilst you're hunting) and keep refining your CV and interview techniques (practice as much as you would have for an important exam or your driving test). There's lots more, but I'm sure you get the basic gist. Good luck!
I've found this book has some good advice.
It covers creating CVs that will get picked out and maximise chances of an interview as well as how to deal with interviews themselves.
Not a lot to lose apart from a tenner and some time (the time not just reading it, but following the advice too).
Good luck, and keep trying.
It covers creating CVs that will get picked out and maximise chances of an interview as well as how to deal with interviews themselves.
Not a lot to lose apart from a tenner and some time (the time not just reading it, but following the advice too).
Good luck, and keep trying.
Don't settle for lower than your skill set and experience, longer term at least. If you need to add some SAP or other quals to reach the next step then now's as good a time as any, I've had very positive experiences with e-learning lately as I look to plug some holes in my CV - worth shopping around and checking groupon et al too as the price advertised is rarely the price you pay.
How's the linkedin profile? All the referrals I've had for buying agents and purchasing jobs I've had through LI when I had my business.
Also, if you're good at buying and negotiating, the chances are you've a lot of skills transferable to a selling role from my experience.
How's the linkedin profile? All the referrals I've had for buying agents and purchasing jobs I've had through LI when I had my business.
Also, if you're good at buying and negotiating, the chances are you've a lot of skills transferable to a selling role from my experience.
Edited by Stu R on Thursday 15th May 03:33
[quote=C&C]I've found this book has some good advice.
It covers creating CVs that will get picked out and maximise chances of an interview as well as how to deal with interviews themselves.
Not a lot to lose apart from a tenner and some time (the time not just reading it, but following the advice too).
Good luck, and keep trying.
[/quote]
Has to be worth a tenner, Thanks for the link.
It covers creating CVs that will get picked out and maximise chances of an interview as well as how to deal with interviews themselves.
Not a lot to lose apart from a tenner and some time (the time not just reading it, but following the advice too).
Good luck, and keep trying.
[/quote]
Has to be worth a tenner, Thanks for the link.
Stu R said:
Don't settle for lower than your skill set and experience, longer term at least. If you need to add some SAP or other quals to reach the next step then now's as good a time as any, I've had very positive experiences with e-learning lately as I look to plug some holes in my CV - worth shopping around and checking groupon et al too as the price advertised is rarely the price you pay.
How's the linkedin profile? All the referrals I've had for buying agents and purchasing jobs I've had through LI when I had my business.
Also, if you're good at buying and negotiating, the chances are you've a lot of skills transferable to a selling role from my experience.
You know funny you should say that, Everyone of my friends joke i'd make a great car salesman with my knowledge and customer skills.How's the linkedin profile? All the referrals I've had for buying agents and purchasing jobs I've had through LI when I had my business.
Also, if you're good at buying and negotiating, the chances are you've a lot of skills transferable to a selling role from my experience.
Edited by Stu R on Thursday 15th May 03:33
Terminator X said:
Work for yourself? Avoid agencies imho as most are cocks of the highest order.
TX.
Yes this is marvellous advice TX.
a sector that earns over £7bn a year is exclusively staffed with massive cocks. Another bitter and twisted.
Agencies placed around 40% of all new hires in the last 12 months, so by all means spend time finding a good one, and accept that not all agencies will suit your needs. But don't write them off as a route to market.
Chief, YHM
Edited by Gargamel on Thursday 15th May 11:41
CHIEF said:
Please bear with me as this is a tad long winded.
Have you tried volunteering your services for 12 weeks or so? If not and you're out of options, try contacting the HR dept of a company you're interested in and state your case. It's usually a promising way to break into an industry when you lack connections. The employer has no obligation, you get a chance to see if it's your thing and you take experience away from it.
Ultimately treat it as a hands on job interview - if you impress, there's a good chance of getting permanently hired. Also you'll probably get paid a little to cover fuel costs and a bit of spending money. Just a suggestion.
Apache said:
Agencies are not as bad as some make out, my partner is a recruiter, is very professional and works bloody hard. Sounds like your CV isn't working for you, start with trying to get that right and take it from there, some Agencies will help you
Agencies are cancerous fecking leeches; I passionately hate.ghostofdilbert said:
Agencies are cancerous fecking leeches; I passionately hate.
Philosophically is one way of making a living fundamentally better than another ? If so, why are nurses so poorly paid compared to say film stars ? No one could argue the intrinsic value of a nurse is more worthwhile to society than say Matthew Mcconaughey? You say agencies are fecking leeches, I suppose you are working to cure cancer then ?
ghostofdilbert said:
Apache said:
Agencies are not as bad as some make out, my partner is a recruiter, is very professional and works bloody hard. Sounds like your CV isn't working for you, start with trying to get that right and take it from there, some Agencies will help you
Agencies are cancerous fecking leeches; I passionately hate.Gargamel said:
Philosophically is one way of making a living fundamentally better than another ?
I never implied that different ways of earning a crust were better than others! so your question's difficult for me to answer from that point of view. However to clarify my statement, RA are (non-authoritatively) selective and self-serving, so comparably parasitic. Furthermore, in my experience whilst seeking work as a fresh graduate, RA's were actually counter-intuitive to their intended purpose! which is an absurd state of affairs in my opinion. Gargamel said:
You say agencies are fecking leeches, I suppose you are working to cure cancer then ?
You don't have to cure for cancer to carry out useful work. I work in the construction industry if you really wanted to know. Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff