Career Progression Advice
Discussion
Morning all,
Long time lurker but very minimal poster here so please be gentle.
I currently work within the public sector within a Central Services IT role, the role is very broad so I won't bore you with all of the details unless I need to of course!
Anyway, I'm looking to make the jump to the private sector for a number of reasons but the main one being that I need a new challenge, career progression within my area is non existent and I'm not the policy type. I feel I'm at the age where I can make the jump before becoming institutionalised as many do!
I'm very well versed in the recruitment practices of the public sector but can see that it's a totally different ball game out there so in need of drastic help :-)
My CV will need a massive overhaul and I can also see that Linkedin is a very valuable tool but as someone who doesn't use Facebook I would have no idea how to use this effectively!
Can I ask whether there is any mileage in employing the services of one the many companies out there who claim to be specialist in this area and if so whether there are any recommendations as to who I should use?
Any advice much appreciated.
Many thanks
Rich
Long time lurker but very minimal poster here so please be gentle.
I currently work within the public sector within a Central Services IT role, the role is very broad so I won't bore you with all of the details unless I need to of course!
Anyway, I'm looking to make the jump to the private sector for a number of reasons but the main one being that I need a new challenge, career progression within my area is non existent and I'm not the policy type. I feel I'm at the age where I can make the jump before becoming institutionalised as many do!
I'm very well versed in the recruitment practices of the public sector but can see that it's a totally different ball game out there so in need of drastic help :-)
My CV will need a massive overhaul and I can also see that Linkedin is a very valuable tool but as someone who doesn't use Facebook I would have no idea how to use this effectively!
Can I ask whether there is any mileage in employing the services of one the many companies out there who claim to be specialist in this area and if so whether there are any recommendations as to who I should use?
Any advice much appreciated.
Many thanks
Rich
If you search for your skills on jobserve do you get lots of hits and do you live in an area with lots of employment opportunities?
If you do then you just need to work on your CV - look online or ask friends for examples of good CVs. Keep it short.
Download interview questions for your specialisms (that's what interviewers probably do so you get a head start)
Perhaps buy one of the books with good answers to tough interview questions (more for confidence than anything)
Expect the first couple of interviews to go poorly. They are a skill to learn like everything else.
If you do then you just need to work on your CV - look online or ask friends for examples of good CVs. Keep it short.
Download interview questions for your specialisms (that's what interviewers probably do so you get a head start)
Perhaps buy one of the books with good answers to tough interview questions (more for confidence than anything)
Expect the first couple of interviews to go poorly. They are a skill to learn like everything else.
Appreciate the response and suggestions, all of which I will be looking into!
I live in North Wales so my search is fairly limited to Chester / Liverpool, possibly Manchester for the right package.
The main areas suited to my skill set are IT Project Management although there are no doubt skills that are transferable into other areas.
Qualifications are the main obstacle, I did a year in college and went out into the big bad world where I had to work very hard to get enough work experience for people to take me seriously. I stress that I am not an academic, I'm a grafter with a very good head on my shoulders.
I live in North Wales so my search is fairly limited to Chester / Liverpool, possibly Manchester for the right package.
The main areas suited to my skill set are IT Project Management although there are no doubt skills that are transferable into other areas.
Qualifications are the main obstacle, I did a year in college and went out into the big bad world where I had to work very hard to get enough work experience for people to take me seriously. I stress that I am not an academic, I'm a grafter with a very good head on my shoulders.
r4dcu said:
IT Project Management
PRINCE2 Practitioner and ITIL (foundation at least) are useful qualifications to have.Without at least PRINCE2 Foundation, you might struggle to get past a CV-sift. It'll cost a couple of hundred to get that, so if you don't have that one, pay for it yourself and it'll pay you back tenfold.
shtu said:
PRINCE2 Practitioner and ITIL (foundation at least) are useful qualifications to have.
Without at least PRINCE2 Foundation, you might struggle to get past a CV-sift. It'll cost a couple of hundred to get that, so if you don't have that one, pay for it yourself and it'll pay you back tenfold.
I've got ITIL but Prince2 was next on my hitlist, just searching around for providers at the moment - thanks for reminding me. Wasn't sure how useful Prince is outside of Public Sector but as you say it's a box ticking exercise.Without at least PRINCE2 Foundation, you might struggle to get past a CV-sift. It'll cost a couple of hundred to get that, so if you don't have that one, pay for it yourself and it'll pay you back tenfold.
Thanks
Write a good CV up first then transfer the relevant bits onto LinkedIn, it's quite intuitive now in terms of setting up a profile and a great tool.
I have employed a number of IT "bods" over the last few years and quite often my second stop after CV is LinkedIn.
It's amazing how many CV's don't marry up well to the claims on the CV - profile picture needs to be good, nothing social media like.
Having made the same transition a number of times back and forth, language and terminology can sound the same but differ in reality. Just something to watch for in an interview situation - double check job descriptions too in case you head off in a tangent.
Last but most boring, watch the benefits - public sector has some upsides like pensions etc.
I have employed a number of IT "bods" over the last few years and quite often my second stop after CV is LinkedIn.
It's amazing how many CV's don't marry up well to the claims on the CV - profile picture needs to be good, nothing social media like.
Having made the same transition a number of times back and forth, language and terminology can sound the same but differ in reality. Just something to watch for in an interview situation - double check job descriptions too in case you head off in a tangent.
Last but most boring, watch the benefits - public sector has some upsides like pensions etc.
halo34 said:
Write a good CV up first then transfer the relevant bits onto LinkedIn, it's quite intuitive now in terms of setting up a profile and a great tool.
I have employed a number of IT "bods" over the last few years and quite often my second stop after CV is LinkedIn.
It's amazing how many CV's don't marry up well to the claims on the CV - profile picture needs to be good, nothing social media like.
Having made the same transition a number of times back and forth, language and terminology can sound the same but differ in reality. Just something to watch for in an interview situation - double check job descriptions too in case you head off in a tangent.
Last but most boring, watch the benefits - public sector has some upsides like pensions etc.
Really helpful advice thank you! I have employed a number of IT "bods" over the last few years and quite often my second stop after CV is LinkedIn.
It's amazing how many CV's don't marry up well to the claims on the CV - profile picture needs to be good, nothing social media like.
Having made the same transition a number of times back and forth, language and terminology can sound the same but differ in reality. Just something to watch for in an interview situation - double check job descriptions too in case you head off in a tangent.
Last but most boring, watch the benefits - public sector has some upsides like pensions etc.
The picture is something so simple yet so easy to mess, no gym pics that's for sure! What would be a good example? Booted and suited a basic prerequisite no doubt?
How worthwhile would it be paying for someones services to overhaul my CV? It's has the same basic format for the past 8 years and I'll be honest, I wouldn't interview me based on what's there!
I think I need to start from scratch completely, once the CV is done then Linkedin should be easier - Little cautious as marketing myself is sometimes a struggle! Previous online dating experiences included :-p
Edited by r4dcu on Tuesday 30th December 12:02
r4dcu said:
Really helpful advice thank you!
The picture is something so simple yet so easy to mess, no gym pics that's for sure! What would be a good example? Booted and suited a basic prerequisite no doubt?
How worthwhile would it be paying for someones services to overhaul my CV? It's has the same basic format for the past 8 years and I'll be honest, I wouldn't interview me based on what's there!
I think I need to start from scratch completely, once the CV is done then Linkedin should be easier - Little cautious as marketing myself is sometimes a struggle!
I am pretty old fashioned when it comes to pictures on there, I think it should reflect how you appear at work. But then again I am a grumpy guy with a judgemental side to me :-)The picture is something so simple yet so easy to mess, no gym pics that's for sure! What would be a good example? Booted and suited a basic prerequisite no doubt?
How worthwhile would it be paying for someones services to overhaul my CV? It's has the same basic format for the past 8 years and I'll be honest, I wouldn't interview me based on what's there!
I think I need to start from scratch completely, once the CV is done then Linkedin should be easier - Little cautious as marketing myself is sometimes a struggle!
In terms of CV it depends on the cost to be honest. Everyone seems to have their own "rules" that they pluck from the air in terms of a CV.
I re-did mine recently with some professional help, they helped me strike that balance between comfort and selling myself. There are some good guys on here that could critique as well if you ask (just be prepared for honest feedback).
Failing that if you want to message me I can just give you my perspective.
If the CV writing is relatively low cost, consider the fact it may motivate you a bit and a good review should help you focus on skill areas. A good recruitment agent or company can sometimes pay dividends here, though my experience generally with IT recruitment companies is that they generally miss the mark at times marrying people to the right roles.
A good thing to do is also to write down what you are good at - not specifics like excel but more generally. Have you switched between projects for example showing a level of flexibility and adaptability that a big IT Co. might look for in project environments.
Also if you haven't yet done it, map out a little mini plan of what you want in a career and what the targets are. This may help you be more specific and targeted in the application process. I often see people who come across well, but in reality are applying for roles that won't suit them to get the "change" they are striving for. Having a little plan in what you want to aim for will help you focus on the right roles to apply for and give you time to focus energy on them.
If you are working now then this gives you breathing space IMHO to fine tune
http://www.uk.capgemini.com/careers/jobs/project-m...
Base would be Sale or Telford due to your location. You'd get expenses over that travel distance.
Base would be Sale or Telford due to your location. You'd get expenses over that travel distance.
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