What job should I be looking for?

[Butter Face]

Alright PH, give me some life guidance.

I'm 28, married and have a dog, and 2 cats.


I am currently a car salesman, I started at this company in 2008 but left in early 2010 to work as a store manager for a mobile phone retail company. I did that until June last year, then a change of area manager I looked for another job (personality clash) and was offered a role back at the car sales job I had before. Now here I am.

Prior to this, I worked for Lloyds TSB in retail banking sales for a year (didn't enjoy being in the same 4 walls alllll day) and prior to that I spent 3 years working in a mobile phone shop as a salesman.

I enjoy car sales, sometimes. It's nice that there is flexibility and I get a company car, but it is long hours, thankless work and very stressful.

I am considering looking elsehwere for a different role, but what? My heart says I don't want to go back to a mobile phone company, but wouldn't rule it out.

I would fancy going back into management but where?

Education wise I only have 9 GCSE's and a ND in IT and Networking (but don't fancy doing IT stuff)

Another part of me would like to be a teacher, but the training and lack of money whilst doing so is scary (and also that it is also stressful, thankless and long hours)

I'm at a bit of a crossroads, I either need to commit to looking for a new job, or sort my head out and get back in 'the game'

Any advice?

[a311]

The way I see it OP with the info you've given you have 2 choices. You either stay within sales but it doesn't sound like you particulary enjoy it? Banking wise you could get back in and look to do some relatviely straight forward quals (compared to a degree anyhow) and look to become a mortgage or financial advisor? Decent salary and bonus structure even better if you're independant.

Second option is back into education, you mention being a teacher. If so you need a degree and teacher training qual so figure on 3-4 years full-time, financial pressures come with that, but you could work part-time. You're never too old to go back into education, I did a part-time post graduate degree but it was fully funded by my employer. I'm not usre I would have had the desire/commitment if I was paying for it out of my own pocket and in my own time.

At your age (I'm the same age) as you say you're at a crossroads, you either make do and muddle through and could potentially remain that way until you retire or make the decision to go into further education and stick at it.

Edited by a311 on Saturday 21st July 12:15

[JumboBeef]

Move to Scotland and become a Paramedic (they are recruiting at the moment).

Enough of a life change....?

[rog007]

On the face of it, this looks a tough one. But in reality, certainly from experience dealing with clients I've seen over the years, the answer is usually an obvious one and often staring ones self in the face; it just takes a little time as one sails round a few bouys considering a range of options. It's about listening to yourself and going with your gut instinct; you probably already know what you're good at and you probably already know what you really enjoy doing, so it's about aligning those two together and going for it. A little bit of risk analysis is also worth doing as you still need to eat during the transition! Good luck!