Changing industry/options
Discussion
Hi all,
I don't really venture into this subforum very often so apologies if this has been done to death before...
I graduated in 2010 in Geography with a 2:1 from a reasonable university (top 20 in subject). After graduating, I wanted to go travelling so found a job temping as a collections advisor with a well known bank - it was a s
t job but I was pretty good at it and was offered permanent pretty much immediately after I started. Anyway, I left the job after 9 months and went travelling for 6 months - didn't work abroad, just dicked about.
When I returned, the economy was well and truly down the stter and graduate jobs were pretty much non-existent. I wanted to go into planning or to use my degree in some way but didn't really know how to go about this. In the end, I posted my CVs about on a few websites and was offered a pretty decent job as a Business Manager with another well known bank. Fairly decent step up in pay and responsibility but still essentially a call centre. I ended up staying there for 3 years and again, was well thought of. Because I didn't see myself there long term, I didn't really push for internal promotion and stagnated. I got a bit fed up and when my gf was offered a temporary job in NZ in August, I jumped at the chance to jack in my job and go with her. All went well over there and I got myself another temporary job in admin to keep myself ticking over and to pay my way. The job was pretty easy but low paid and if we'd have stayed over there I would have looked for something much better.
I did apply to a couple of grad schemes in the UK whilst we were out there but obviously didn't get through.
ANYWAY, we returned to the UK 2 weeks ago and I'm on the hunt for a job again. I'm looking to make a change and get out of finance. I have got a masters course lined up for September in Planning which I've been accepted onto and whilst this is still plan A, I'm wondering whether instead I should look for a job which I will enjoy and provide me with a long term career to start ASAP.
Trouble is that I've never really had any careers advice before and don't know the best way of maximising my chances of changing industries without any previous experience in them.
I've just been given the hard sell by one of those bespoke CV writing companies after getting a free check online. They pretty much said that whilst the content is OK but I don't really stand out and will probably be overlooked. Obviously they are there to make money but it is worth paying someone to write a better CV for you?
Does anyone have any advice or experience they'd be able to share?
Many thanks
(hope this isn't a TLDR thread...)
I don't really venture into this subforum very often so apologies if this has been done to death before...
I graduated in 2010 in Geography with a 2:1 from a reasonable university (top 20 in subject). After graduating, I wanted to go travelling so found a job temping as a collections advisor with a well known bank - it was a s
t job but I was pretty good at it and was offered permanent pretty much immediately after I started. Anyway, I left the job after 9 months and went travelling for 6 months - didn't work abroad, just dicked about.When I returned, the economy was well and truly down the s
tter and graduate jobs were pretty much non-existent. I wanted to go into planning or to use my degree in some way but didn't really know how to go about this. In the end, I posted my CVs about on a few websites and was offered a pretty decent job as a Business Manager with another well known bank. Fairly decent step up in pay and responsibility but still essentially a call centre. I ended up staying there for 3 years and again, was well thought of. Because I didn't see myself there long term, I didn't really push for internal promotion and stagnated. I got a bit fed up and when my gf was offered a temporary job in NZ in August, I jumped at the chance to jack in my job and go with her. All went well over there and I got myself another temporary job in admin to keep myself ticking over and to pay my way. The job was pretty easy but low paid and if we'd have stayed over there I would have looked for something much better.I did apply to a couple of grad schemes in the UK whilst we were out there but obviously didn't get through.
ANYWAY, we returned to the UK 2 weeks ago and I'm on the hunt for a job again. I'm looking to make a change and get out of finance. I have got a masters course lined up for September in Planning which I've been accepted onto and whilst this is still plan A, I'm wondering whether instead I should look for a job which I will enjoy and provide me with a long term career to start ASAP.
Trouble is that I've never really had any careers advice before and don't know the best way of maximising my chances of changing industries without any previous experience in them.
I've just been given the hard sell by one of those bespoke CV writing companies after getting a free check online. They pretty much said that whilst the content is OK but I don't really stand out and will probably be overlooked. Obviously they are there to make money but it is worth paying someone to write a better CV for you?
Does anyone have any advice or experience they'd be able to share?
Many thanks
(hope this isn't a TLDR thread...)
You aren't a million miles from me in terms of career direction and uncertainty.
I've been in sales since I graduated in 2012, but hate it and want to get out ASAP. I've been applying for trainee surveyor schemes (quantity surveying etc.) I've had little success due to me having no relevant education or experience. You have a better chance than me, especially with a masters in Planning. With the economy (and more importantly, construction) on the up, firms and consultancies are crying out for surveyors. Money is good and I think it would be a very rewarding and interesting long term choice.
One thing I do know is, those CV sites are somewhat redundant because you should change 30-50% of the wording each time you apply anyway. Obviously not if 2 roles are very similar, but my current CV is tailored towards my skills for surveying. It would be no good leaving 'project management' in there for a sales job for example.
Read the job description first, then change your CV accordingly. This is one way to stand out without having the best education and/or background. A covering letter will obviously emphasise this too.
Let me know if you find anything, I've been looking at new potential opportunities every day since September!
Matt
I've been in sales since I graduated in 2012, but hate it and want to get out ASAP. I've been applying for trainee surveyor schemes (quantity surveying etc.) I've had little success due to me having no relevant education or experience. You have a better chance than me, especially with a masters in Planning. With the economy (and more importantly, construction) on the up, firms and consultancies are crying out for surveyors. Money is good and I think it would be a very rewarding and interesting long term choice.
One thing I do know is, those CV sites are somewhat redundant because you should change 30-50% of the wording each time you apply anyway. Obviously not if 2 roles are very similar, but my current CV is tailored towards my skills for surveying. It would be no good leaving 'project management' in there for a sales job for example.
Read the job description first, then change your CV accordingly. This is one way to stand out without having the best education and/or background. A covering letter will obviously emphasise this too.
Let me know if you find anything, I've been looking at new potential opportunities every day since September!
Matt
Some unbiased career and learning & development advice to test assumptions about yourself, your competencies and your preferred direction to develop some realistic and bespoke options is often time and money well spent. As is getting a CV prepped properly with advice on ways to approach things going forward. I and others just as experienced can offer just this sort of service.
A quick one about the Masters question; are you funding yourself and going full time? This might be the best approach based upon what you plan to do next. Another option is to get in to the industry you aspire to ASP in order to gain valuable experience and exposure whilst doing an OU Masters in your own/part time.
Good luck!
A quick one about the Masters question; are you funding yourself and going full time? This might be the best approach based upon what you plan to do next. Another option is to get in to the industry you aspire to ASP in order to gain valuable experience and exposure whilst doing an OU Masters in your own/part time.
Good luck!
rog007 said:
Some unbiased career and learning & development advice to test assumptions about yourself, your competencies and your preferred direction to develop some realistic and bespoke options is often time and money well spent. As is getting a CV prepped properly with advice on ways to approach things going forward. I and others just as experienced can offer just this sort of service.
A quick one about the Masters question; are you funding yourself and going full time? This might be the best approach based upon what you plan to do next. Another option is to get in to the industry you aspire to ASP in order to gain valuable experience and exposure whilst doing an OU Masters in your own/part time.
Good luck!
Masters will be funded by me and will be over 12 months. Don't want too long out and I have enough money saved to fund it.A quick one about the Masters question; are you funding yourself and going full time? This might be the best approach based upon what you plan to do next. Another option is to get in to the industry you aspire to ASP in order to gain valuable experience and exposure whilst doing an OU Masters in your own/part time.
Good luck!
What do you mean by ASP? I've been emailing round the local planning firms to try and get some work experience, no response so far... The dream would be to get funded by one of those but I don't think it's particularly realistic
In terms of unbiased career and L&D advice, where should I be looking?
Thanks
I know it isn't true for all Masters degrees, but I really found mine to be worthless. The main advice I can give from that experience is to find out if the qualification will truly make a difference with respect to your employability in your chosen field.
In the end I was 6k down and wasted 12 months of my life (it was also easier than my undergrad, so I stopped attending after the first semester and worked in a supermarket instead).
In the end I was 6k down and wasted 12 months of my life (it was also easier than my undergrad, so I stopped attending after the first semester and worked in a supermarket instead).
groundcontrol said:
I know it isn't true for all Masters degrees, but I really found mine to be worthless. The main advice I can give from that experience is to find out if the qualification will truly make a difference with respect to your employability in your chosen field.
In the end I was 6k down and wasted 12 months of my life (it was also easier than my undergrad, so I stopped attending after the first semester and worked in a supermarket instead).
That's always the risk but I've done a fair bit of research. The course I'm enrolling on is RTPI accredited and is more of a vocational qualification than a masters say, in english literature.In the end I was 6k down and wasted 12 months of my life (it was also easier than my undergrad, so I stopped attending after the first semester and worked in a supermarket instead).
I guess I will just need to try and build up my contacts through networking and work experience
Maybe I missed it, but what do you actually want to do in your career? A Geography degree is not much use for most professions. Do you want to be a town planner/smart cities or something like that?
Personally seeing the Geography degree and sauntering around the world on your CV would not endear me to your commitment to work. You need some basic jobs to get some work 'form'.
Decide what professional role you want. Then put a plan to achieve it in 5 years time or so.
Personally seeing the Geography degree and sauntering around the world on your CV would not endear me to your commitment to work. You need some basic jobs to get some work 'form'.
Decide what professional role you want. Then put a plan to achieve it in 5 years time or so.
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