Discussion
I'm in a bit of a rut and not sure what to do.
For the last ten years I've wanted to join the police. Eight years ago I joined the Specials and I love it. Due to recruitment freezes and other personal matters I didn't apply until 2015 (maybe 2016) as a PC. Sadly I've failed twice at my assessment centre. I've got one more in May (I appealed my last one, and I get to resit it).
Meanwhile I've been at Tesco since 2007. It was only ever going to be a part time job before uni (that never happened). I'm a delivery driver mainly there. I hate it. It's the same thing day in day out. I count down the hours until I can go home. I spend most my time wishing my life away.
I need a change. However I can't find anything that interests me. I'm looking on job sites daily. Its the same thing. Care work, call centres or retail (which I want to get out of). I look after my disabled brother and if I'm honest I wouldn't want to do it for anyone else (I did do it a few years ago, and whilst I enjoyed some of it, most the time it was very hard work for crap money).
Next problem is I only have some basic GCSEs (maths and English included and some college degree in media. I see some jobs that want degrees as a minimum (at the moment I'm not in a position to go to uni).
Its really a thread to see if anyone can suggest some jobs that may be worth looking into. I have ten plus years experience in customer service, plus eight years within the police so a fair few skills between the two jobs. Any suggestions/advice would be great
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For the last ten years I've wanted to join the police. Eight years ago I joined the Specials and I love it. Due to recruitment freezes and other personal matters I didn't apply until 2015 (maybe 2016) as a PC. Sadly I've failed twice at my assessment centre. I've got one more in May (I appealed my last one, and I get to resit it).
Meanwhile I've been at Tesco since 2007. It was only ever going to be a part time job before uni (that never happened). I'm a delivery driver mainly there. I hate it. It's the same thing day in day out. I count down the hours until I can go home. I spend most my time wishing my life away.
I need a change. However I can't find anything that interests me. I'm looking on job sites daily. Its the same thing. Care work, call centres or retail (which I want to get out of). I look after my disabled brother and if I'm honest I wouldn't want to do it for anyone else (I did do it a few years ago, and whilst I enjoyed some of it, most the time it was very hard work for crap money).
Next problem is I only have some basic GCSEs (maths and English included and some college degree in media. I see some jobs that want degrees as a minimum (at the moment I'm not in a position to go to uni).
Its really a thread to see if anyone can suggest some jobs that may be worth looking into. I have ten plus years experience in customer service, plus eight years within the police so a fair few skills between the two jobs. Any suggestions/advice would be great
.DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.
I got the paperwork late before hand, so didn't have the full amount of time to prepare for it. Plus its the worst thing I've ever had to do. Not like real life at all with the role plays. I've paid to do a course to hopefully help with it, as although I want to be a PC its getting to that stage in life were I need to start looking at other careers (and stay as a Special).
DoubleTime said:
Why are you not in a position to go to uni?
The bulk of career prospects are going to be going down that route unless you are keen to start your own business, go into doing a trade, army/navy etc or something more commercial like the merchant navy but that will obviously require some training elsewhere.
I've yet to find a course that interests me. Plus I have dyslexia and struggled all through school with most things so the idea of doing more isn't that appealing. The bulk of career prospects are going to be going down that route unless you are keen to start your own business, go into doing a trade, army/navy etc or something more commercial like the merchant navy but that will obviously require some training elsewhere.
I did look at the army a few years ago. Lost six stone, retook my English GCSE, took my BARB test and scored enough for what I wanted...but failed the medical due to having dodgy kidneys.
Happy to pay for courses...might look at the merchant navy on lunch.
strain said:
If you have put up with delivery driving for so long I assume you like driving at least?
Shortage of driving instructors in various areas, £28 per hour (minus fee's) and can train in your spare time over a couple of months. Extended theory / hazard perception test, extended driving test then the part 3 teaching test. Main wants are good customer services and enjoying what you do, nobody wants to sit and learn off somebody watching the clock!
Edit: Also worth adding, we currently have an ex army / police officer training with us, dare say 20% of our instructors have been army/police at some point
I keep looking at driving instructors...I love driving. I've recently passed my police response course and it was honestly the best thing I've done training wise. Hugely passionate about driving and road safety in general so will look into this a bit more (I'm assuming you are one? If you have any advice that would be greatly appreciated). Shortage of driving instructors in various areas, £28 per hour (minus fee's) and can train in your spare time over a couple of months. Extended theory / hazard perception test, extended driving test then the part 3 teaching test. Main wants are good customer services and enjoying what you do, nobody wants to sit and learn off somebody watching the clock!
Edit: Also worth adding, we currently have an ex army / police officer training with us, dare say 20% of our instructors have been army/police at some point
Gio G said:
OP - you currently work for one of the largest single employers in the UK. Many people in that business have progressed from roles like yours to something more stimulating and rewarding. If you are prepared, passionate and determined, searching in you own back yard could be the answer!
G
I keep looking at other jobs within Tesco. Five years is the longest I've been in one department so think thats something to do with it. I used to love this role, now its just the same thing. Trouble is I've done most things at store level (other than manager roles, did do a bit of team leader when they had that position but didn't fit in). G
iwantagta said:
If you like being outdoors / in a team / not caring if people are stuck waiting for a train & late to work then can i suggest;
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/careers/
I have a friend who works for them and now owns 2 houses (no wife/gf/kids & very frugal with cash) with overtime was earning £40k plus.
He spent a fair wodge of time in a hut watching films on netflix. USed to be on the tracks and now works in an office (he much preferred being outside but career progression stopped that!)
Loads of opportunities if you arent wanting desk style employment.
(Train drivers also get £££ but my god that must be dull)
I saw a thread about network rail and had a look...they didn't have any jobs locally at the time, but do keep looking from time to time.https://www.networkrail.co.uk/careers/
I have a friend who works for them and now owns 2 houses (no wife/gf/kids & very frugal with cash) with overtime was earning £40k plus.
He spent a fair wodge of time in a hut watching films on netflix. USed to be on the tracks and now works in an office (he much preferred being outside but career progression stopped that!)
Loads of opportunities if you arent wanting desk style employment.
(Train drivers also get £££ but my god that must be dull)
sparks_E39 said:
Well done!
I’ve looked into it before, looks pretty rewarding but you’ll need a lot of clients to make it financially worth it is the advice I had.
Alternatively I can recommend the motor trade. I’m a main dealer service advisor. I have a similar background to you. I thoroughly enjoy it now I’m in the right dealership! Although I suspect you may earn more as a driving instructor. My take home averages about £1500 monthly, which is plenty for me. Long term plan is to work myself up to management level in the company I work for.
I've spoken to a independent franchise (not Red, AA/BSM etc), someone I used to work with at Tesco left to go there full time (he used to do Tesco and driving instructing). He's also been highly recommended from a Facebook page I've been recommended to join. A 40 hour week (which he can provide if I want it) will see a take home of around £1,600 a month after tax/fees/fuel. I'm not expecting that from the start though. I’ve looked into it before, looks pretty rewarding but you’ll need a lot of clients to make it financially worth it is the advice I had.
Alternatively I can recommend the motor trade. I’m a main dealer service advisor. I have a similar background to you. I thoroughly enjoy it now I’m in the right dealership! Although I suspect you may earn more as a driving instructor. My take home averages about £1500 monthly, which is plenty for me. Long term plan is to work myself up to management level in the company I work for.
I'll have to hand my PH membership in...but I really know nothing about cars to work in a dealership! I can drive and thats it ha.
sparks_E39 said:
It’s a good shout. Pay is pretty decent at circa £10 per hour.
Less than what I'm on now. Just ordered my books for part one...almost £60 later. Thankfully I had a couple of them already!
Need to wait until pay day to do my DBS check...they certainly don't make it easy to do...need all sorts of ID. Can I find any of it? Can I f
k...I've also got some training for part two. The bloke I've spoken to on the phone doesn't think I'll have too many issues with this part as I've recently completed three weeks training with the police.
All rather exciting.
Bit of an update. Working my way through the theory stuff. Getting there slowly. Today I had a driving assessment with a local instructor. There is a couple of things I need to work on, slower approach to roundabouts and junctions (fine for every day life, but a bit too quick to be teaching people that way), and also clutch/brake overlap when I don't need to.
Plan is crack on with my theory revision and get that sorted ASAP then I can get part two sorted.
Plan is crack on with my theory revision and get that sorted ASAP then I can get part two sorted.
Me again.
My plan of being a driving instructor was going great until I passed my assessment day with the police and got one step closer to joining. Now I'm in two minds in what to do.
Due to the cock up with the paperwork last time, I got to retake my assessment day six months later without doing the paper application side of things. All great and dandy. However, the next stage is another interview. Because they haven't recruited this year they aren't doing these interviews and they've said they don't know when these will be. It could be some when this year or next.
Because I passed my assessment centre I put the driving instructing on hold. Part of me thinks crack on with it, as even if I get into the police, I could do it part time (not sure if I would be allowed to).
So, a bit of advice from people who can't make the choice for me but from an outsiders points of view might be able to help.
My job at Tesco is getting better. We are soon changing the area we are delivering to and getting a much more rural area, if anything its a change. I'm dropping four hours a week to help care for my brother more, which I'm looking forward to as it means I'll have Fridays off for the first time in 11 years.
I did see they were recruiting for police driving instructors...almost the perfect job, but the list of requirements was longer than my arm ha.
My plan of being a driving instructor was going great until I passed my assessment day with the police and got one step closer to joining. Now I'm in two minds in what to do.
Due to the cock up with the paperwork last time, I got to retake my assessment day six months later without doing the paper application side of things. All great and dandy. However, the next stage is another interview. Because they haven't recruited this year they aren't doing these interviews and they've said they don't know when these will be. It could be some when this year or next.
Because I passed my assessment centre I put the driving instructing on hold. Part of me thinks crack on with it, as even if I get into the police, I could do it part time (not sure if I would be allowed to).
So, a bit of advice from people who can't make the choice for me but from an outsiders points of view might be able to help.
My job at Tesco is getting better. We are soon changing the area we are delivering to and getting a much more rural area, if anything its a change. I'm dropping four hours a week to help care for my brother more, which I'm looking forward to as it means I'll have Fridays off for the first time in 11 years.
I did see they were recruiting for police driving instructors...almost the perfect job, but the list of requirements was longer than my arm ha.
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