seriously someone offer me a decent job. [Archive] - SV650.org

davepreston

17-02-12, 04:37 AM

im not joking im about 10mins aways from swinging off a rafter
since i left the forces ive been stuck in these ****ty security jobs working 60 odd hrs a week for next to feck all money and im going mental

i bearly see the mrs, i dont use my mind in any way shape for or fashion, i **** you not i did a iq test the other week and ive lost 20 iq points

and there is zero promotion opertunities ,the idea of doing this for another 30 years has me thinking of just disapearing off in the eather by myself completely walking away from everyone and everything

be happy youve got a job ,feck off. anyone can get a job i just depends on how little your willing to take to do it, im just not willing to carry on killing myself doing this carp anymore

something will come up, ********. im 31 so too old to be a trainee, morgage etc, no civi street quals, yea i can disarm a bomb but mmm lets see how needs that ,fecking no one

experiance loads, relevent experiance yep you guessed it nowt

every avenue i try is replyed with thanks but your not qualled enough, educated enough, etc

what about a overseas job cp work etc, mmmm no mercinary and be under no disalusions thats what it is, would be taking money do things that shall we say is not within my moral compase

5 years now since ive hit civi st and i tell you what you can ****ing keep it ,its a load of wank

so lets have a look a likely jobs then shall we
police- all getting sacked
hmc&e- all getting sacked
forces- rejoin ban and oh yeah all getting sacked
private sector- read list above
it- dont know anything about it
driving jobs- no real world experiance worse hrs than security and thats saying something

1 year im serious 1 year and if it aint sorted im gone, wife can have me declared dead in 3 years and get some cash, and i'll disappear off the grid entirely, belive me its not hard if you engage your brain

one final note this is not just a rant but a statement of intent unless something changes sharpish
and please please be aware the first patronising responce will be met with this laptop hitting a wall

dave

Red Herring

17-02-12, 05:16 AM

OK Dave so you don't want sympathy, and you're big enough to handle the truth. You've pretty much summed it up, life ain't easy. You name me one thing worth having that is.
At 31 you're not to old to get it all together and sort out what you want to do, and you've got enough experience of the real world to go for it. Taking security jobs is a bummer but it looks better on a CV than nothing. Nobody is going to offer you a branch to cling to if you're not prepared to fight your way to the top of the pile to reach it.

Get motivated, get some nuts.....good luck.

Specialone

17-02-12, 06:47 AM

Dave, as RH said, life is fecking tough, nobody gets a good life/ career handed to them unless your parents are wedged.

There's nothing more soul destroying than being in employment in a job that leaves you so unhappy and without the chance to change or advance.

Personally, if I was you, I'd soul search and decide on 3 careers you like to pursue then either see how realistically it's possible to get into them as a employee or do it yourself and become self employed, run a business etc.

Becoming your own boss is the way forward IMO, at least your rewards are directly controlled by you and your efforts.

stewie

17-02-12, 07:10 AM

Drivings not bad mate, better than security anyway, get in with a decent firm and its not too bad, you're only 31 ffs you're not exactly old mate ;)
good luck with it :)

timwilky

17-02-12, 08:26 AM

Mate who was pensioned out of the royal marines for a dodgy eye after a thunderflash exploded in his face. (Not good for a sniper and that was his only military qualification) did driving for a few years (with one working eye), whilst he managed to get on with the NW ambulance service. He eventually became a paramedic and then a trainer. although he has now gone back to being a paramedic. Maybe the ambulance service is an option.

PS bar management? or maybe not

Bri w

17-02-12, 08:31 AM

Whoa Big man!

You're investing too much time and energy thinking about a job you don't like. When you walk out the gate at 5pm you leave the carp behind for 14hrs. Compartmentalise when you think about it or you'll do your head in big time.

Look at what your qualified for... and by your own admission is a whole load of nowt, or is that strictly true...

Your no dwarf, or wimp, and you have a driving licence. Luton box van with a tail lift - small removals/office removals. Big Skoda - taxiiii. You don't have to jump from your current job straight into driving. Do both till you find out if its works for you.

Whatever change you make isn't going to work overnight, and isn't going to happen overnight. And may not be the right thing for you but every journey starts with the first step. Spend some time thinking about what you want, then think about what you have to do to achieve it, then get off your fat .... and do it! Make the commitment, write it down and blue tack it to a mirror so you see it every day.

Now do you need a Bri hug?

allymc

17-02-12, 08:37 AM

How about becoming a train driver, Dave? Im ex-RAF and Ive been doing this 6 years. IMO, its the best job in the world. Circa, £40k a year, a week off every month and once you take that key out at the end of your shift, that's it. Switch off from work til the next day. Its a bit like being self-employed, work wise, book on, pic up my diagram/job sheet for the day and go driving...rarely see my manager.
It can be a pain to get in as there is quite a bit of competition but they love ex-Forces so you're at a huge advantage already. Training takes about a year, and you'd be on approx £20k whilst training, depending on the company.

Have a look through this site

http://www.traindriver.org/

Feel free to PM me if you want any more info

andrewsmith

17-02-12, 08:50 AM

keith_d

17-02-12, 09:07 AM

Being 31 isn't the end of the world. I've had two major career changes since I was 31. I've gone from automation specialist -> economics software consultant -> data systems support geek. So you've got plenty of time to change.

My first thoughts would be, prison service ('bout as dull as security work but regular shifts and the pay's better) or alarm systems installer (EOD experience might be useful).

One more thought, I don't know if they still do, but the police used to have civilians working as Scene of Crime Officers (SOCOs). They did a variety of evidence collection type jobs. It might be worth finding out if your local force has any opportunities in that area.

Owenski

17-02-12, 09:15 AM

carpe diem, dude.

No ones gonna give you jack, if you want it then you gotta fight for it.
Working x hours a day then sulking or sleeping for the remainder of it is doing you feck all by ways of making moves in the right direction. If sitting in a security cabin isnt occupying your brain then I cant imagine its occupying much of your time either, take in a list of phone numbers linked with oportunities and make some god'am phone calls.
Pick a job you'd actually like, and I dont mean thinking small either. If you think you'd make a great cook then get the phone number for a large chain and get calling. Call a few times find out who the cheese is, google rape their ass and get HQ contact details. Eventually call and ask for the top dog direct, explain you're not just seeking a job you're after the career which is right for you. Explain you've worked long and hard in jobs you couldnt give 2 ****s about, so if he was willing to give you a shot at something you DID want then you'd be the most commited and motivated member of his team. Offer to do 28days pro-bono to prove your serious about grabbing the oportunity by the hands. You'll get feck all the first few times of calling you'll need to call a few times, even go down in person and sit on his door sil until he's willing to sit you down. Basically bully them into giving you those 28days... then its all down to you.
Have some fecking nuts and think outside the fecking box big man.

Oh and FFS scrub and suit up before heading down in person, a 6ft6 stubbly feller in steel toe caps isnt going to make the right impression on anyone who lives behind a desk.

Paul the 6th

17-02-12, 10:02 AM

a 6ft6 stubbly feller in steel toe caps isnt going to make the right impression on anyone who lives behind a desk.

/\ Larfing my fuffing asshof.. /\

On topic: You any good at DIY dave? Hows your dodgy knee playing up? 31's definitely not too old to re-train mate, what about joinery/plumbing, a proper skill where you are the labour and only require your tools/some parts or materials to make money? Would your knee get in the way of any physical jobs? Ever heard of a SWOT analysis? The concept of it turns me right off but sometimes it can help you to recognise what you're good at/where you can improve.. Is there absolutely nothing you were trained in the army which can be applied somewhere in the real world ie. bomb disposal - is there any relevant electrician stuff with this? Private detective for covert stuff (pm tatcom)? Driving as others have said - not a lot of money but is probably more engaging than sitting in a security box all night? Is your licence clean now?

Are you allowed to take your laptop to work with you? Have you got internet access there? If not spend £25 on an internet dongle so you can get online - from there you can invest some of your paid time back into looking for training/working opportunities..

As for the whole job situation and everyone telling you "that's life".. I guess we're all in a similar position mate. I've been considering jacking in self employment or maybe switching from the graphic design side of things to something new - the profitable conferences & events I've been doing for 6 years have all but disappeared since the conservatives got in, so now I'm scratching round trying to do signage for businesses and vehicles where the market place is saturated with companies who'll do it cheaper & god knows how they make any money to live on?

I looked at some jobs with graphic design firms to see if it might be worth my while becoming proper staff in a company again - get this:
- £7 an hour on 22 hours a week
- candidates who either have a relevant degree or NVQ/BTEC with design experience
- You have to prepare some artwork to bring with you for interview (fair enough)
- and then they want you to create artwork according to a brief when you're there for interview..

For £7 an hour? I could make more working nights at Tesco.. and all I'd have to do is show a bit of initiative with stacking shelves. Thank christ I didn't go to uni..

dizzyblonde

17-02-12, 10:52 AM

What exactly are you qualified to do as far as army training is concerned? Have you got any certs in anthing that can be applied in the outside world? Come on, you say you have an IQ of Eintstien, I'm sure you can apply it somewhere other than the back of your eyelids in a security hut. I know, unfortunately ex squadies, get a tough time in the outside world, but you have to prove you're worth otherwise.

Anyone can push further, you have the gift of 'blag and gob' use it. Scrub up, get in a suit and get moving..

MOTIVATION, you should know all about that bit ;)

Owenski

17-02-12, 01:26 PM

first post was far too sensible for me, so may I alter my suggestion too: Buy a fluffy carpet rug and make your self a fully body suit out of it.
Then roam around the pennines causing mass hysteria around sightings of a yeti! This should keep you entertained for a few years.

Roberrrrt

17-02-12, 01:39 PM

Someone with a gob like yours ought to go into sales - and your natural stature will only help in 'persuading' people in person ;)

dizzyblonde

17-02-12, 04:15 PM

Someone with a gob like yours ought to go into sales - and your natural stature will only help in 'persuading' people in person ;)

Oh dear god.....he'd only empty a place of customers, :lol: I'm really not sure Dave is patient enough to do a sales job is he.....?

Owenski

17-02-12, 04:37 PM

"OI you! punter, buy this ****e!" *punter looks back to door contemplates making a break for it* "dont you fecking dare, you're paying for this and then we're going for a pint... you're also buying that too, so do we have a sale my man?" *punter nods nervously reaching for wallet not quite sure if he's just bought something or been mugged*

Recon I nailed that impression. NEXT

Biker Biggles

17-02-12, 04:41 PM

How about Outward Bound/Duke of Edinburgh/outdoor activity adventure training type stuff.None of it is well paid but more interesting and worthwhile than what you have now.

maviczap

17-02-12, 04:57 PM

Well my sister left school with little or no qualifications, joined up did her service and then left for civvy street.

She found a job with the local council as a transport manager and did that for quite a few years, then joined the NHS, so a couple of career changes and doing really well for someone with no qualifications. So it is possible to change career, even at 31.

But the job situation is not great if you want to jump ship, there's no promotion or anywhere to go in our mob and I can see a lot of my staff staying at the same grade for the rest of their careers.

You could see if your local college does trade courses in something like being an electrician or plumbing? I'd love to have a trade qualification.

Or you could become a CBT instructor, money's no good mind

Or there's ex Forces guys doing guard duties on ships going through the risky areas off Africa, probably good money, not mercenary work, but then you'd not be at home

Berlin

17-02-12, 05:19 PM

Debt collection/Bailiff/Personal protection Dave.

You seem very well qualified for that! :-)

Hell, if you showed up at my door I'd pay up! :-)

The commercial, Business to Business side of things is very lucrative.

C

Teejayexc

17-02-12, 05:32 PM

Bouncer on the gates of Basildon pikey park ?

dizzyblonde

17-02-12, 05:44 PM

Or you could become a CBT instructor, money's no good mind

Is that Crash Basics Training Mav? :rolleyes:

if you can drive a tank, how about driving a bus?

Spiderman

17-02-12, 06:08 PM

Ah mate apart from being a squadie ive been there, done that, worn the feking t shirt and felt exactly as you do many times in my life.
Ask anyone who knows me well and they will tell you i have done every imaginable job there is out there. its soul destroying for sure but there is light at the end of the tunnel pal and things do get better, you just gotta keep that chin up shorty. :kiss:

fizzwheel

17-02-12, 06:15 PM

I've been where you are. It might not seem like it but I have been.

I had a job that was stressful, I also worked for a company where it was OK to tread on each other in order to get what you want.

It made me I'll to the point where I was frequently reduced to tears at work, where I couldn't physically get out of bed one morning.

I'll tell you what I did.

First off I went to talk to my boss and told him I couldnt carry on like I was.

I started looking in job papers.

I looked at my CV and went back to basics with it and then when I found a job I wanted I tailored my CV to fit that job, so if a job demanded specific skills, I made sure I highlighted those or gave examples of where I had skills that would transfer across.

I sent my CV in.

I waited a week or so and then rang the person who I had sent my CV to and I kept ringing until I got to speak to them. I asked if they had received it OK and was there anymore information or anything else I needed send them.

When I got interviews I stood out as "The guy that phoned me who really wants this job"

I've been told many times that I got the jobs I got as a result primarily of being proactive and picking up the phone.

What I'm getting at is that you have to go and grab it, nothing comes to you for nothing and the harder you work to get a job the better job you'll get because of it.

I realise that Dave, this isnt what you want to hear right now and that you are feeling low. But you cant go any lower now and the only way is forwards and upwards.

Have you told your boss how you feel / could you ask him for a role in the existing company you are working for that will challenge you a little more. I know when I have had people who work for me come and talk to me I've always pushed up and promoted the people who were proactive and wanted to take on more work and more responsibility rather those that sat on their bum and waited for it to come along.

I bet you have lots of skills, but you dont realise what they are or how they might help you.

Your other option is go to talk to a job agency and see if they can help you find a more rewarding role ? ( apologies if you've done this already )

Also the others are right, sadly we live in a world where first impressions count, what you look like and how you dress will help create the right first impression and get you a foot in the door.

I suspect I'm teaching you to suck eggs, but when going for interviews or even to talk to your boss about another role, Suited and booted is best or shirt and tie, it just helps create the right impression IMHO.

I'll give you an example. I work with a guy who was invalided out of the Navy with bad knees. He came to see my boss and offered to work for 3 months for nothing for free. He said he could survive on his military pension for a little while and wanted an opportunity to prove himself.

We took him on as I was impressed by his attitude and TBH we were short staffed. I started him off in I.T. He was fantastic at it when he got going and he was also really good with people. He just had a natural touch and all he needed was somebody to give him a chance. When I left that company a role came up at my new company I knew he could do so I recommended him. He works with me still 15 years later, he still good at his job, in fact he is one of the strongest technical people I have worked with.

So keep plugging away, you will find a role or somebody to give you a similar opportunity when it comes your way grab it.

Whatever you do, best of luck with it.

davepreston

17-02-12, 06:28 PM

cheers for the comments people most have been helpful with good tips ,i will be pming some people for some more details
answers to some q's asked
licence clean but my 6 year old dr10 is still on there
i am currently sporting a 1 back and sides with a 2 on top and clean shaven
cv is newly done as off yesterday and applied for a job at leyland daf this moring after i finished my night shift
yes my knee is a issue 20% of movement lost so labouring ,plumbing etc are out
feel free to ask me direct questions, if nessesary reply will be thru pm for obvious reasons

Bibio

17-02-12, 06:43 PM

get a feckin grip bigman...

life is tough get used to it...

i know you have a dodgy knee but the trades are the way forward, for instance one of my mates (best man at my wedding) was an 'a la carte' chef but decide on a career change and got a start with one of our other mates, learned the ropes and started up on his own. 14 years later he is now a very close to being a millionaire. the last i heard from him he had 12 vans and 26+ employees. how has he done it? by working his ass off via early mornings and very late nights, gets job done on time, there when he says he will be and customer satisfaction.

you have nothing to loose and i think an ideal career for you would be painting and decorating, low start up costs and very little on materials.

your friendly Dwarf xx :-)

maviczap

17-02-12, 06:45 PM

Is that Crash Basics Training Mav?

No, Crash Bike Training :p

Dave I avoided the obvious Crash Test Dummy jokes and good to see you made positive step by applying for at least one job, if you don't get anywhere with this, don't get downhearted just keep on applying

Red Herring

17-02-12, 06:45 PM

Glad you're back online Dave, was about to ask if anyone knew how good you were at knots.....

dizzyblonde

17-02-12, 07:38 PM

get a feckin grip bigman...

life is tough get used to it...

i know you have a dodgy knee but the trades are the way forward,

I apologise now, but Dave, I have to agree with Bibio.
I'm not sure you've seen the state of Pegs knee, or leg(if you were weak of stomach I wouldn't advise it), but he rides 25 miles each way, to work. He couldn't when it snowed, as the pain was too bad.Hes supposed to walk with the aid of a stick like Rictus. Peg would if he had no choice go shovelling tarmac on the roads for me and the kids.
Now fair point, his current job is managing an office, and all the rest have been in Kitchen design and sales. When he was out of work last year, he almost thought about fitting the damn things again.

The point being, don't use that as an excuse/barrier to lessen your chances. . . if one can do it. . .etc etc.

Now if you would like any advice on how to charm the pants of interviewers, or customers, biggin up your CV, drop him an FB post, I'm sure he'll help if he can :-D

appollo1

17-02-12, 11:21 PM

Reading the OP has now left me with serious doubts over my future!
I am due to leave the RAF next year after 22 years service and in the process of thinking about what i want to do when i finish. I dont have any qualifications that are useable in civvie street just 20 odd years experience. I am trying to get my CV together but it's frying my brain.

I am not in the fortunate position of DP to have youth on my side as it was a long time ago when i was 31. All i can suggest is agree with some of the other people and pick a few jobs that interest you and go for it.

On my resettlement brief i was told that the best way is to "network" and there is no better place to network than on the org.

The Idle Biker

17-02-12, 11:49 PM

Blah blah lots of good thoughts saying life is tough, and it's true. What I think, based on the one drunk weekend I met Dave on (AR 11) is life now is actually BORING. If you've had adrenalin, sense of team, sense of purpose, sense of risk and then fall back to the mundane it's CRAP.

It is feckin boring if you let it be, feck em bollox, feck minstream crap, don't get sucked it, get angry chase the dream. Life is not about money, it's about how you spend your free time. Do what your passionate about and try everything. Feck everything else that don't feel good to do. Life's too short but you aint ya leggy toss pot.

Theres always a balance to be struck, but think of what you enjoy and set yer compass towards it. yeeee ha

Ceri JC

18-02-12, 10:28 AM

I have a colleague who is ex-forces, he retrained in business continuity planning at an older age than you. He then used the combination of this and his existing skills to carve himself a nice, not to mention well paying, niche in assessing the physical security of premises (his forces past lets him know how he would attack them) and how susceptible they are to "disasters" that might disrupt the business and how best to mitigate them.

Don't think you're too old to retrain. I'm a year younger and I pretty much accept I need to train in new things every couple of years, just the way of my industry and increasingly, the world. The model of learning a trade as a kid and doing it all your life are getting less relevant. I don't think I'd want to do that, anyway.

stewie

18-02-12, 10:40 AM

Just a thought but have you checked out AARSE ?, dont laugh its an army website though why on earth they called it that I dont know, anyhoo, I'm sure I saw something on there about firms looking for ex regs for jobs all over incl afghan, iraq etc also theres an outfit I think theyre premier or something similar they look specifically for ex forces, sorry I cant be more specific mate, think Ive seen ads for them in soldier magazine as well, friend of mine has just been offered a job in kandahar, in charge of a small team of afghan locals doing air movements stuff, you know making up aircraft pallets etc, anyway 60k for 13 weeks on 3 weeks off, theres stuff out there mate, good luck

http://www.arrse.co.uk/
http://www.army.mod.uk/soldier-magazine/soldier-magazine.aspx
http://www.forcesjobshop.co.uk/

Dicky Ticker

18-02-12, 10:45 AM

I thought "Security" was highly paid,no not the sit in a box and check people and vehicles in and out.My mates son is ex UK militaryand FFL and works in South Africa for De Beers,patrolling and protecting the diamond fields and mines, 9months on and 3months off .,possibly not the best arrangement but he has a house in Italy and is not short of a bob or two. "Tour of Duty" but very highly paid,if a bit harsh at times as has been described to me when speaking to him.

Only mention this as it would probably fit in with your current CV

Jayneflakes

18-02-12, 11:11 AM

Security is a horrid job, my Dad is ex forces and does it and a friend who is also ex forces does it too. Hours are vile, the work is anti social and you guys have to deal with the sort of scum that makes nice folks feel sick.

At times like this, there is one industry that always needs big strong and happy blokes. However, it does have it's hard side. I work in care for disabled adults, I have never had a job more rewarding and when my lad hears my bike pull up outside his house, he gets happier because he knows that a mad twunt with bad music taste is about to cheer him up.

Care work is not for every one, wiping pooh off of adults can be nasty, being hit in the face while you do that is worse. One girl put me in hospital last year after she tried successfully to thump me, but here I am still doing it because the job brings so much fun most of the time.

Some one suggested outdoor leadership stuff, which can be fun, but again takes you away from home a lot. Most corporate jobs for team building leave you dumped in a cruddy hotel over night and you don't want to end up wondering who pee'd in the kettle! Funding for kids outdoor activities was cut a while back leaving people like me who are qualified Outdoor Ed teachers wondering what to do.

Things we have thought about are as follows, Saying Feck it and running away to another country or starting our own business. The way I see it, life is just a depressing pile of cack and if you don't do good stuff, that cack can and will weigh you down!

By the way, pooh is only gross the first couple of times, after a while picking up turds becomes second nature and even cleaning out the cat litter tray stops being scary! Hope that helps :-)

Mrs_giggles

18-02-12, 04:58 PM

Janyneflakes i work as a support worker with people with learning disabilities and mental health issues, and i can tell he has not got the patience or personality to work with people like that !!!

as previously stated by someone, i also think its because life is BORING on civvy street and that he hasnt got the no worries disposible income he had in the forces,

i keep looking for jobs for him but as you say times are hard, i have a degree and i cant get a decent job in my field even with 5 years experience because of cut backs etc.

dan9878

18-02-12, 05:40 PM

ty_uk

18-02-12, 05:57 PM

My best mate lost his job last year and for a while it was hard but he decided to do heavy goods driving went on the courses passed and now in a job earning £500 a week..long hours but loves it.

Biker Biggles

18-02-12, 06:53 PM

Not doubting you, but can you pass the C1 medical with one eye ? Paramedic entry is all degree now so forget it. ECA jobs pop up from time to time, the only requirements are 3 GCSE's i think.
Dodgy knee would be a problem there as well,and virtually nothing in the public services is recruiting now.
Someone suggested protection on shipping against Somali pirates.If I was ten years younger that would really appeal to me.:smt071
It would be like old times:D

maviczap

18-02-12, 06:57 PM

Dodgy knee would be a problem there as well,and virtually nothing in the public services is recruiting now.
Someone suggested protection on shipping against Somali pirates.If I was ten years younger that would really appeal to me.:smt071
It would be like old times:D

Yep I've met some of these guys, although I read something about a Captain and a couple of his crew getting arrested in Mombassa for not declaring their antipiracy AK47's :p

Not a good place to get arrested :smt103

Biker Biggles

18-02-12, 07:06 PM

Google MV Boularibank/pirates.
Thats without any weapons.With arms would be a lot easier Im sure.

Stuuk1

18-02-12, 07:15 PM

If you have time on your hands, apply for jobs which are out of your league. Apply for anything. Why not start off in telesales?

A friend of mine did similar and was commission based. He just got head hunted and is now on between 60-80k after just a years experience. It is in London however so don't know where you are.

Pretty sure he went in with no qualifications and def no experience as before that, he had his own car valeting business.

Member of the 1 litre club...

dizzyblonde

18-02-12, 07:45 PM

It is in London however so don't know where you are.

...
The name Dave Preston givs it away;)

As for telesales.....Dave can be quite persistently scary....could fit right in :smt082

Would you buy a phone contract from Dave an Irish bloke over a fella called David from Namibia......of course you would!
:pale:

Stuuk1

18-02-12, 07:57 PM

Admittedly Preston is quite far away from London....

Member of the 1 litre club...

andrewsmith

18-02-12, 07:59 PM

The name Dave Preston givs it away;)

As for telesales.....Dave can be quite persistently scary....could fit right in :smt082

Would you buy a phone contract from Dave an Irish bloke over a fella called David from Namibia......of course you would!
:pale:

Should fit in perfectly at quite a few complaint centres

19-02-12, 02:07 AM

At least you want to work Dave. I mean, really want to work.

I know a bloke who is 18, in a 'gap' year... he is starting a degree course September - I was on and on at him to start last year cos of lower fees, would he listen - oh no. So instead of £3K, he'll pay £9K. He wanted a job for 6 months so he can go travelling, he didn't even bother to start applying till last September as 'I need a rest' - oh yeah, at age 18, just like the rest of us do.... all the 1 year jobs had gone, thought he was going to get a job as a business analyst at a top accountancy firm, well life has hit hard. He won't even sign on as 'it's too demeaning', so his mother supports him, won't consider retail or manual... so sits at home smoking grass every day.

Money - well at age 18 and living with mother it's a nice to have, he won't do voluntary work as he thinks he should be paid, when he looks back maybe he'll think that getting stoned every day was not the most productive use of a year. I've given up.

tonyk

19-02-12, 02:14 AM

is that person in your family ?

Dicky Ticker

19-02-12, 10:23 AM

Jayneflakes

19-02-12, 10:45 AM

On the buses-------------Arriva are screaming for drivers,train you and pay while doing it.Okay it can be odd hours but like LGV you are limited to the hours you can work,plus most new buses are automatic anyway so the bad knee is no problem.

There is nothing on earth that would make me want to be a bus driver! Working late shifts with scum bags getting on your bus and starting trouble, having been a pedestrian for so many years before passing my bike test, I have seen it and there is no way I would apply. They need danger money in some places! :smt087

One of my friend's husbands is doing ship security at the moment and all I can say about it is that both her and her children miss him terribly. He is away for a couple of months at a time, often in places that are a little scary and has to carry a rifle when working. Just like being back in the forces for him which he enjoys greatly, but I know that his wife worries. :smt066

ixlr8

19-02-12, 12:08 PM

The mines in Australia are still begging for workers, seriously big money but usually (very) remote. May be worth a look if all else fails. Visas for needed skills are fast tracked, ...powder monkey maybe?

punyXpress

19-02-12, 01:12 PM

. . . or train driving in OZ - get on the Nullarbor Plain run & you'll never have another problem with cornering!

19-02-12, 06:49 PM

is that person in your family ?

No. Son of a friend.

Curvy-smerv

19-02-12, 09:49 PM

Hi there,

I'm new to the forum so I hope you don't mind me joining in. I'm sorry you're feeling so down about things at the moment Dave, just keep plugging away and something WILL happen.

Just a thought but a friend of mine recently retired from the Police. He's in his early 50s. He retrained as a driving instructor and started working for a well known company. I know its a little dodgy as its not a guaranteed, set wage but he's never been short of work.

Anyway, hang in there and try to keep a positive frame of mind if you can. On its own it won't change things but it will drive you on and that in itself will make things better for you and your family.

Annie

yorkie_chris

19-02-12, 10:20 PM

There is nothing on earth that would make me want to be a bus driver! Working late shifts with scum bags getting on your bus and starting trouble, having been a pedestrian for so many years before passing my bike test, I have seen it and there is no way I would apply. They need danger money in some places! :smt087

I'm guessing you haven't met Dave.

JamesMio

19-02-12, 10:37 PM

Nothing going at Network Rail Dave? They've got a big (BIG) base at Preston and from all accounts (going by the few folks I know that work for NR), they're good employers.

The track maintenance lads are well paid, not easy work but I'd imagine quite a decent gig.

JamesMio

19-02-12, 10:38 PM

Following on, a couple of good mates of mine that left the forces (1 Army, 1 Navy) are both now at the Prison Service.

Both enjoying it - not sure what the pay;s like, but again - might be worth some investigation?

Curvy-smerv

19-02-12, 10:41 PM

timwilky

19-02-12, 10:58 PM

OK peeps

Dave is a police brat, he don't say but his old man was plod
He has the past to know that is a non starter.

I seem to recall Dave as played with the lock em ups in the past.

Certainly the military have locked him up whilst he was on locking up duty!!!!!

Something at the back of my mind thinks Dave might have done a stint with the prison service and not said much. Either way Dave with the keys to a prison is far too much like an alchy with the keys to the cellar.

stewie

19-02-12, 11:08 PM

He's very quiet isnt he ? maybe he should go for MI5 or something ;)

missyburd

20-02-12, 10:06 AM

He's very quiet isnt he ?
You have met Dave haven't you? :p

davepreston

20-02-12, 04:49 PM

ok some responces to this mass amount of replys (seriously cheers for the feedback)
plod as mentioned not hiring but is the one job id move for (yes tim my dad did 30 years)
prison service did a year working in hmp garth cat b nick ,horrible no more to say
national rail ,will start looking them up
bus's wife mentioned, not sure tbh will have a think
overseas jobs ive concidered eg boats etc its not really a life long career thing + time away etc

two big things i should mention
1/ i have a 6 year old dr10 on my licence (thats drink driving btw) so am worried about driving based jobs, would you hire me with that , even tho not even a point since

2/ i think i need something away from my military backround eg not security based stuff, why .well simple it seems to me im living in the past too much and think something completely different would help me move on with life

other than that i dont see myself as a front of house person, im a worker not a charmer, give me a job ,leave me alone and its done, i detest micro management, and am sick of unsociable 60hr + working weeks, and owt about the 18-20 grand a year mark + would make me a very happy bunny
does such a job exisit????????????????????

TamSV

20-02-12, 05:14 PM

1/ i have a 6 year old dr10 on my licence (thats drink driving btw) so am worried about driving based jobs, would you hire me with that , even tho not even a point since

Dave, your DR10 is spent after 5 years under the Rehabilition of Offenders Act (even though it's still on your licence).

It won't affect a prospective employers insurance and that tends to be one of their main worries - provided they're convinced that you don't actually have a drink problem.

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/ombudsman-news/25/25-disclosure-of-spent-motoring-convictions.htm

xXBADGERXx

20-02-12, 05:30 PM

provided they're convinced that you don't actually have a drink problem.

If that is removed from his licence after 5 years , would he need to declare it ? thus negating any of the faffery and embarrassment involved . I was going to make a quip about Drinking ..... but for some reason I can`t think of a good one , probably down to all that drinking I have done with erm .... whats-his-face Preston .

dizzyblonde

20-02-12, 05:46 PM

other than that i dont see myself as a front of house person, im a worker not a charmer, give me a job ,leave me alone and its done, i detest micro management, and am sick of unsociable 60hr + working weeks, and owt about the 18-20 grand a year mark + would make me a very happy bunny
does such a job exisit????????????????????

I'll be frank....what job isn't unsociable?
Real jobs, and not those dream sort are all bloddy unsociable, depending on who its being unsociable for.

Willy Wonkas pay £16k for an average 30hrs, on weekend rotating 12hr shifts(2 days one week, 3 nights the next), as an example.

You can get paid more for shifts during the week, and the more technically useful you are. Ex RAF blokes hide there once they escape their service ;) Hey you can drive fork lift trucks for £28k a year......but you sell your soul to get those vacancies!
There must be some sort of charm to have a global manufacturer on your CV, as people from miles and miles away commute to work there every day:smt103

Thats a thought, how easy would it be for you to get a FLT license, and would it be something you may consider?

andrewsmith

20-02-12, 07:29 PM

I'll be frank....what job isn't unsociable?
Real jobs, and not those dream sort are all bloddy unsociable, depending on who its being unsociable for.

This

My job is a 9-5 job, but its regularly 8-6 and I've seen me do 6am to 7pm for no extra at the end of the month

I would recommend what I do but its a lot of FoH and showing face (Building Manager). But there a lot of grafting to do that no one would see (depending on the site)

Lou £16k for a 30hr week!!!
I'm definitely in the wrong job

dizzyblonde

20-02-12, 08:06 PM

Lou £16k for a 30hr week!!!
I'm definitely in the wrong job

With 3 months paid time off dependant on start and finish of the 'season'. However, as I have said, you have to work Fri, Sat, Sun night 6pm-6am, followed by Sat, Sun day 6am-6pm.
Willy Wonkas isn't for the faint hearted at times, even though working in a chocolate factory could be deemed as a dream job. You are required (unless opted out) to do additional hours(volume determined by your skills salary), which means going in on your required rotared in days during the week on top of your working weekend.

Sometimes, I really do miss the salary, I really don't miss the hours though! If I could have got the 7-2 shift I wanted after maternity, I wouldn't have left! Could do with the brass!
Unfortunately they aren't very family friendly, and pretty much made it difficult for me as they wanted me back on weekends :(

andrewsmith

20-02-12, 08:14 PM

Thats still a good packet TBH

But sounds hard work (wouldn't bother me in the slightest)

Bluefish

20-02-12, 08:48 PM

TamSV

20-02-12, 10:06 PM

If that is removed from his licence after 5 years , would he need to declare it ? thus negating any of the faffery and embarrassment involved . I was going to make a quip about Drinking ..... but for some reason I can`t think of a good one , probably down to all that drinking I have done with erm .... whats-his-face Preston .

It's still on his licence for 11 years unfortunately, even though it's spent under the ROA.

This means that, even though it's still on the licence, no-one other than the courts is allowed to take it into account. That's why insurers usually now just ask for driving convictions within the last 5 years - I would think driving job application forms would be the same nowadays.

It doesn't need to be disclosed but it'll still be on the licence, which they'll need to see at some stage. Employers aren't supposed to take any account of it but they might do so and just not admit it. For that reason it might be better to bring it into the open fairly early on. It's not a barrier to the job like it used to be though.

I don't know if it's a local thing but some of my customers tell me they struggle to get drivers who are willing to do anything apart from drive. If you're happy to drive most of the day but also spend a couple of hours operating plant/pumping oil/shovelling **** in the blazing sun and freezing cold then there's much less competition for those jobs.

timwilky

20-02-12, 10:06 PM

Dave I would look into the driving situation, that would likely be around 25k a year. If you send your liscence of i presume it would come back with no points on it? then there should be no reason to knock you back, good luck mucker.

Unfortunately you can only get it removed from the licence after 11 years. It stays on for a full 10 years.

20-02-12, 10:15 PM

£16K for a 30h week... many lawyers would like that. I used to work 70h/week some weeks and have nothing, because of such enormous overhead - everyone complains about insurance, well how about £25K for compulsory professional indemnity and hadn't ever had a claim - and lazy partners. Not joking. Is one of the reasons why I jacked.

BanannaMan

21-02-12, 04:45 AM

While we're offering decent jobs, I'd be up for one as well.
Have experiance running/owning a small business.
Willing to relocate!!!

Dicky Ticker

21-02-12, 08:13 AM

Bill,Come to Britian-----Free accomodation up to £2000 per week in a five or six bedroom house,monetry hand outs for you and your family,more family the better,free health care and no chance of finding a decent job so the whole process is on going.

Oh wait a minute,you have to be unqualified in anything useful, feel persecuted,possibly change your religion,grow a beard,have strange thoughts about other peoples well being,dress differently,spend a fair bit of time on a sun bed,in general not be willing to conform to the law of the land and wait for a day when immigration is switched off. If you can meet these criteria your in and in clover.

tgn

21-02-12, 08:30 AM

Hi there Dave. Looks like you've had some good advice on here, thought I'd chuck in my 2p.

You mention that you have no experience of IT. Have a look at http://www.codecademy.com

It won't make you a geek overnight, but it'll give you a taste of a programming language and it's FREE.

HTH

tgn.

dizzyblonde

21-02-12, 10:03 AM

£16K for a 30h week... many lawyers would like that. .

Aye, but like I said Ed, you get an additional hours part within that 16k, so, you have compulsory overtime, for no extra wage....which bumps your hours up by another 24 hrs on some weeks, then you have to do training on other weeks, which are pretty pointless sometimes. So that 30 hr week has suddenly jumped to 50ish:smt119
The job itself, although quite easy at times, can turn someone suicidal quite easily......no different to other jobs in a lot of respects.

Balky001

21-02-12, 12:14 PM

DP, you don't like micro management so that rules out a lot of 'regular' jobs where people are paid to report on every stat that can be measured including your ability to work with a team, however, I can't believe you would have an issue with this if it really came to it and compared to your current position. I appreciate you can't do something you hate but you need to balance things off.

With that in mind, my sister had a lodger years ago straight from the engineers. He ended up in building but it wasn't for him and had a few injuries. Ended up doing IT courses etc but finally found his feet with Facilities Management (usually runs parallel with security so not sure if you have looked in to this already). Every company needs it. The hours are mostly sociable (especially if you are the boss) and pay varies but is generally pretty good.

The role relies one good communication, organisation and strategy which can suit ex-forces. There is a lot of scrutiny, especially for Disaster recovery/Business Contunuity Planning which you'd be involved in, but it might be worth looking at. I'm not in touch with the ex-squaddie but last time I spoke he was earning more than me and looking after dozens of buildings in the City and getting paid well for it.