NW London / Herts - Looking for a short-term opportunity
Discussion
Pre-post alerts:
- potentially long post
- using a new username due to nature of post (not a long time lurker or troll or troublemaker, as fairly active on another username)
As a family, we are emigrating out of the UK within the next 12 to 18 months for family reasons.
That being said, I need to find a way to make the most of this remaining time across work, family and spare time.
I've been in my current job for almost a decade, and whilst it's OK (and I can continue doing it), I'm bored and have no more motivation to do more here so feel like it's not going to help me with the above objective. I'm part of middle'ish management and can't be bothered with the politics and 'small talk' to help get a decent bonus March 2026 for the sake of it - I'd like to just do a good job that fits around my life and get paid a fair wage for it.
So moving to the ask (and have bullet pointed for brevity)@:
- want to try something new, or use my skills in a way that tests my brain and makes the rest of this year enjoyable.
- whoever I work for/with doesn't have to worry that I am pushing for promotion or fancy titles, trying to side step or climb over others in the organisation
- I just want to do the time, enjoy the different work and get paid enough to cover my expectations
- I'll be off by end of year, so they don't have to worry about motivation / incentives and can either use me to fill a temporary need (without having to deal with a permanent position) or have enough time to find a suitable replacement (as opposed to rush to fill a spot)
- I have a legal background but I'm pretty happy to do anything new that uses these skills or teaches me something new - just want a challenge
- I work hard and am driven by successful outcomes - so I'm keen to contribute and do a good job, not just pass time with bare minimum input
- I work well with others or alone
Anything else that's important:
- Live near Watford so would need to either be commutable or a short'ish drive (or can WFH)
- Manual, or office / project based, I don't mind - will literally do anything. ETA one thing I've been thinking about is calling one of the local car dealers to sell cars (which I can learn about and be pretty passionate, noting the very different salary expectations). I can provide great customer service because this isn't a 'last resort' job - I'm there because I want to be, don't need to be.
- Expect to earn +/- £100k depending on complexity of role - I know this is the controversial bit and it's a lot but I'm honestly willing to work hard within reasonable hours and really help someone out (but can accept less if the hours / job type reflect that)
Again, I know the salary is a huge ask but to put in perspective, that is still a huge cut for me, I'm not primarily driven by the economics but realistically don't want to be working at 'cost' to me so this helps me cover outgoings plus but a bit of savings away. I can always just keep my current job but just trying to find something more interesting.
This may or may not be realistic - it's the first time I've thought like this but if I don't put the message out there, I won't know.
If this becomes controversial or a problem for the forum or others, I will be happy to ask mods to take this down (and I expect some flaming but hey, don't ask don't get). I'm also sensitive to the challenges others are facing in the current environment so apologies if this is not in good taste.
So anyone got something that fits the above and benefits the both of us?
Thanks for taking the time to read.
- potentially long post
- using a new username due to nature of post (not a long time lurker or troll or troublemaker, as fairly active on another username)
As a family, we are emigrating out of the UK within the next 12 to 18 months for family reasons.
That being said, I need to find a way to make the most of this remaining time across work, family and spare time.
I've been in my current job for almost a decade, and whilst it's OK (and I can continue doing it), I'm bored and have no more motivation to do more here so feel like it's not going to help me with the above objective. I'm part of middle'ish management and can't be bothered with the politics and 'small talk' to help get a decent bonus March 2026 for the sake of it - I'd like to just do a good job that fits around my life and get paid a fair wage for it.
So moving to the ask (and have bullet pointed for brevity)@:
- want to try something new, or use my skills in a way that tests my brain and makes the rest of this year enjoyable.
- whoever I work for/with doesn't have to worry that I am pushing for promotion or fancy titles, trying to side step or climb over others in the organisation
- I just want to do the time, enjoy the different work and get paid enough to cover my expectations
- I'll be off by end of year, so they don't have to worry about motivation / incentives and can either use me to fill a temporary need (without having to deal with a permanent position) or have enough time to find a suitable replacement (as opposed to rush to fill a spot)
- I have a legal background but I'm pretty happy to do anything new that uses these skills or teaches me something new - just want a challenge
- I work hard and am driven by successful outcomes - so I'm keen to contribute and do a good job, not just pass time with bare minimum input
- I work well with others or alone
Anything else that's important:
- Live near Watford so would need to either be commutable or a short'ish drive (or can WFH)
- Manual, or office / project based, I don't mind - will literally do anything. ETA one thing I've been thinking about is calling one of the local car dealers to sell cars (which I can learn about and be pretty passionate, noting the very different salary expectations). I can provide great customer service because this isn't a 'last resort' job - I'm there because I want to be, don't need to be.
- Expect to earn +/- £100k depending on complexity of role - I know this is the controversial bit and it's a lot but I'm honestly willing to work hard within reasonable hours and really help someone out (but can accept less if the hours / job type reflect that)
Again, I know the salary is a huge ask but to put in perspective, that is still a huge cut for me, I'm not primarily driven by the economics but realistically don't want to be working at 'cost' to me so this helps me cover outgoings plus but a bit of savings away. I can always just keep my current job but just trying to find something more interesting.
This may or may not be realistic - it's the first time I've thought like this but if I don't put the message out there, I won't know.
If this becomes controversial or a problem for the forum or others, I will be happy to ask mods to take this down (and I expect some flaming but hey, don't ask don't get). I'm also sensitive to the challenges others are facing in the current environment so apologies if this is not in good taste.
So anyone got something that fits the above and benefits the both of us?
Thanks for taking the time to read.
Edited by curiousnotfurious on Thursday 3rd April 10:41
I'm a complete pessimist so feel free to ignore what I say 
However I'm curious as to how you could move into a new role that pays £100k. in my head a new role implies a different industry or sector to your current role and therefore you'll be starting with little or no experience so what would you bring to a prospective Employer that would justify that level of salary?
However this is PH so I'm sure many people are employing grads on £100k plus and therefore it may be perfectly feasible.
However I'm curious as to how you could move into a new role that pays £100k. in my head a new role implies a different industry or sector to your current role and therefore you'll be starting with little or no experience so what would you bring to a prospective Employer that would justify that level of salary?
However this is PH so I'm sure many people are employing grads on £100k plus and therefore it may be perfectly feasible.
I agree. It's the bit I know will be hard and controversial but if my legal and management skills help (eg a temporary board position) it's not outside the realms of possibility.
Equally I would happily take for example £80k if it was achievable say at JLR based on base plus bonus for selling x units within the year if the hours are decent, I get a car to use to get home/work etc.
I can be flexible and accept the flex in pay amounts that come with it but i thought I'd start somewhere.
Equally I would happily take for example £80k if it was achievable say at JLR based on base plus bonus for selling x units within the year if the hours are decent, I get a car to use to get home/work etc.
I can be flexible and accept the flex in pay amounts that come with it but i thought I'd start somewhere.
You seem to be thinking sales is the path forwards - Are you a sales person (I don't mean an actual sales person, I mean a person that would actually enjoy the daily grind of sales (either b2b or b2c). It's pretty cut throat and not something I (as a reasonably outgoing person) would actually enjoy).
The usual answer to thse types of questions is that it is far easier to achieve the kinds of goals you have by staying in the field that you are currently an expert in. i.e. Why would you not look for roles in the legal / project management world.
p.s things like temporary board positions sound lovely, but are not that available ime.
The usual answer to thse types of questions is that it is far easier to achieve the kinds of goals you have by staying in the field that you are currently an expert in. i.e. Why would you not look for roles in the legal / project management world.
p.s things like temporary board positions sound lovely, but are not that available ime.
Thanks
Again useful food for thought, sales is new to me so appreciate the insight.
As to your Q about staying put, I find being a lawyer comfortable but don't enjoy it anymore. I've always doubted whether I really wanted to do this but have stayed due to the salary and it being "easy" to me. So I'm bored. It is why we're moving to somewhere new and different for me but I can't do it whilst I'm here.
Recent life events have changed my perspective, and the phrase you get one life rings truer now than before.
In case anyone asks, I can't move earlier and speed up that change for various reasons out of my control.
I'm open to new ideas as you can see from this post whilst also investigating my network.
Again useful food for thought, sales is new to me so appreciate the insight.
As to your Q about staying put, I find being a lawyer comfortable but don't enjoy it anymore. I've always doubted whether I really wanted to do this but have stayed due to the salary and it being "easy" to me. So I'm bored. It is why we're moving to somewhere new and different for me but I can't do it whilst I'm here.
Recent life events have changed my perspective, and the phrase you get one life rings truer now than before.
In case anyone asks, I can't move earlier and speed up that change for various reasons out of my control.
I'm open to new ideas as you can see from this post whilst also investigating my network.
QuartzDad said:
What do you do today?
100k pa as a big drop, contracting on a similar role to what you do now or a rung or two below for a £500 day rate would seem to be an obvious choice.
I'm a senior lawyer in a financial institution. 100k pa as a big drop, contracting on a similar role to what you do now or a rung or two below for a £500 day rate would seem to be an obvious choice.
That would be a natural path if it weren't for the fact I'm trying to get out of this specific line of work. I could earn more and do less in a law firm, but that's not what I'm trying to do here.
The salary is important but not the priority - I perhaps didn't convey that well in the OP (and why maybe I shouldn't be a lawyer). But the numbers still need to work for my outgoings.
Appreciate you ideally want out of law, but have you considered a consultant position at one of the many consultant practices out there? I made the transition from private practice to in-house to consultancy. It's still law, but when its entirely on your terms and flexible it took away a lot of what I disliked.
Shnozz said:
Appreciate you ideally want out of law, but have you considered a consultant position at one of the many consultant practices out there? I made the transition from private practice to in-house to consultancy. It's still law, but when its entirely on your terms and flexible it took away a lot of what I disliked.
Thanks. Would you be willing to have a conversation offline to tell me more? This could be a good half way house? curiousnotfurious said:
Shnozz said:
Appreciate you ideally want out of law, but have you considered a consultant position at one of the many consultant practices out there? I made the transition from private practice to in-house to consultancy. It's still law, but when its entirely on your terms and flexible it took away a lot of what I disliked.
Thanks. Would you be willing to have a conversation offline to tell me more? This could be a good half way house? Shnozz said:
curiousnotfurious said:
Shnozz said:
Appreciate you ideally want out of law, but have you considered a consultant position at one of the many consultant practices out there? I made the transition from private practice to in-house to consultancy. It's still law, but when its entirely on your terms and flexible it took away a lot of what I disliked.
Thanks. Would you be willing to have a conversation offline to tell me more? This could be a good half way house? Happy for you to email me at curiousnotfurious1@yahoo.com and I can share proper contact details through that if that works ?
your not going to find a short term opportunity that pays £100k in a field that isnt your expertise (law)
Nor is someone going to hire someone with zero experience into a role that could pay 100k. You mention Car Sales, id rather hire the person whos being doing it 10 years and has a track record of X units PM and a decent book of clients.
Get back into Law, consult, freelance, do compliance.
Nor is someone going to hire someone with zero experience into a role that could pay 100k. You mention Car Sales, id rather hire the person whos being doing it 10 years and has a track record of X units PM and a decent book of clients.
Get back into Law, consult, freelance, do compliance.
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