Change of career… it’s complicated
Discussion
This is likely to be a long one. Sorry.
I’m in my mid-40’s. I currently work as a self employed Courier and through a lot of hard work, I’m busy, (40.82% up on last year when a lot of other drivers are down). I enjoy my job. I love serving my customers and helping them to fix any problems that they have regarding deliveries. Last Christmas I was ranked 13th best nationally, but I’m getting increasingly un-keen on the long hours and the working outside in bad weather.
My background is in hospitality, (I had my first pub at 18), the casino industry and a prolonged period in a difficult, high pressure and rather niche industry. I enjoy fixing difficult problems and dealing with irate customers, getting them the results to make them happy and turning them from departing customers into repeat customers. The more difficult the challenge the more I enjoy it.
I’ve recently applied for a customer service / conflict resolution position within a well known financial and legal services company. Applicants were expected to be university educated, (I don’t have even a single GCSE). To my amazement not only was I selected for an interview, I absolutely aced the “high pressure - fast paced ” interview, (which was child’s play), but unfortunately the offer that I received would have meant taking a 50% pay cut. I currently earn high-£40’s p/a.
This has given me the confidence to apply for similar or better roles, ideally remote working. But where to start?
I’ll be honest with you here. This interview was the first interview I’ve ever had in 32 years of my working life. All other opportunities I’ve been given have been through word of mouth and my reputation. With regards to job hunting, I’m pretty green.
Could any of you chaps recommend any particularly good agencies that I can approach? Or would I be better off speaking to various companies HR departments?
Ah, just one small problem…… and I might as well be honest about it. I wouldn’t pass a CRB check due to the challenging and niche industry that I was involved in.
In advance, many thanks
I’m in my mid-40’s. I currently work as a self employed Courier and through a lot of hard work, I’m busy, (40.82% up on last year when a lot of other drivers are down). I enjoy my job. I love serving my customers and helping them to fix any problems that they have regarding deliveries. Last Christmas I was ranked 13th best nationally, but I’m getting increasingly un-keen on the long hours and the working outside in bad weather.
My background is in hospitality, (I had my first pub at 18), the casino industry and a prolonged period in a difficult, high pressure and rather niche industry. I enjoy fixing difficult problems and dealing with irate customers, getting them the results to make them happy and turning them from departing customers into repeat customers. The more difficult the challenge the more I enjoy it.
I’ve recently applied for a customer service / conflict resolution position within a well known financial and legal services company. Applicants were expected to be university educated, (I don’t have even a single GCSE). To my amazement not only was I selected for an interview, I absolutely aced the “high pressure - fast paced ” interview, (which was child’s play), but unfortunately the offer that I received would have meant taking a 50% pay cut. I currently earn high-£40’s p/a.
This has given me the confidence to apply for similar or better roles, ideally remote working. But where to start?
I’ll be honest with you here. This interview was the first interview I’ve ever had in 32 years of my working life. All other opportunities I’ve been given have been through word of mouth and my reputation. With regards to job hunting, I’m pretty green.
Could any of you chaps recommend any particularly good agencies that I can approach? Or would I be better off speaking to various companies HR departments?
Ah, just one small problem…… and I might as well be honest about it. I wouldn’t pass a CRB check due to the challenging and niche industry that I was involved in.
In advance, many thanks
105.4 said:
This is likely to be a long one. Sorry.
I’m in my mid-40’s. I currently work as a self employed Courier and through a lot of hard work, I’m busy, (40.82% up on last year when a lot of other drivers are down). I enjoy my job. I love serving my customers and helping them to fix any problems that they have regarding deliveries. Last Christmas I was ranked 13th best nationally, but I’m getting increasingly un-keen on the long hours and the working outside in bad weather.
My background is in hospitality, (I had my first pub at 18), the casino industry and a prolonged period in a difficult, high pressure and rather niche industry. I enjoy fixing difficult problems and dealing with irate customers, getting them the results to make them happy and turning them from departing customers into repeat customers. The more difficult the challenge the more I enjoy it.
I’ve recently applied for a customer service / conflict resolution position within a well known financial and legal services company. Applicants were expected to be university educated, (I don’t have even a single GCSE). To my amazement not only was I selected for an interview, I absolutely aced the “high pressure - fast paced ” interview, (which was child’s play), but unfortunately the offer that I received would have meant taking a 50% pay cut. I currently earn high-£40’s p/a.
This has given me the confidence to apply for similar or better roles, ideally remote working. But where to start?
I’ll be honest with you here. This interview was the first interview I’ve ever had in 32 years of my working life. All other opportunities I’ve been given have been through word of mouth and my reputation. With regards to job hunting, I’m pretty green.
Could any of you chaps recommend any particularly good agencies that I can approach? Or would I be better off speaking to various companies HR departments?
Ah, just one small problem…… and I might as well be honest about it. I wouldn’t pass a CRB check due to the challenging and niche industry that I was involved in.
In advance, many thanks
I'm going to be no help with assisting you in the search for an agency, but as a former member of the primary opposition to your former employment, I'd like to wish you the best of luck going forward.I’m in my mid-40’s. I currently work as a self employed Courier and through a lot of hard work, I’m busy, (40.82% up on last year when a lot of other drivers are down). I enjoy my job. I love serving my customers and helping them to fix any problems that they have regarding deliveries. Last Christmas I was ranked 13th best nationally, but I’m getting increasingly un-keen on the long hours and the working outside in bad weather.
My background is in hospitality, (I had my first pub at 18), the casino industry and a prolonged period in a difficult, high pressure and rather niche industry. I enjoy fixing difficult problems and dealing with irate customers, getting them the results to make them happy and turning them from departing customers into repeat customers. The more difficult the challenge the more I enjoy it.
I’ve recently applied for a customer service / conflict resolution position within a well known financial and legal services company. Applicants were expected to be university educated, (I don’t have even a single GCSE). To my amazement not only was I selected for an interview, I absolutely aced the “high pressure - fast paced ” interview, (which was child’s play), but unfortunately the offer that I received would have meant taking a 50% pay cut. I currently earn high-£40’s p/a.
This has given me the confidence to apply for similar or better roles, ideally remote working. But where to start?
I’ll be honest with you here. This interview was the first interview I’ve ever had in 32 years of my working life. All other opportunities I’ve been given have been through word of mouth and my reputation. With regards to job hunting, I’m pretty green.
Could any of you chaps recommend any particularly good agencies that I can approach? Or would I be better off speaking to various companies HR departments?
Ah, just one small problem…… and I might as well be honest about it. I wouldn’t pass a CRB check due to the challenging and niche industry that I was involved in.
In advance, many thanks
I've always found a lot of your posts interesting and unbiased.
ATB!
Rushjob said:
I'm going to be no help with assisting you in the search for an agency, but as a former member of the primary opposition to your former employment, I'd like to wish you the best of luck going forward.
I've always found a lot of your posts interesting and unbiased.
ATB!
Thank you very, very much. You’re kind words and well wishes genuinely mean the world to me I've always found a lot of your posts interesting and unbiased.
ATB!
shirt said:
The last sentence, penny just finally dropped. I’d be mega surprised if you’re able to pass just basic HR checks, as in googling your name.
Sadly, therein lies the nub of the problem.Without meaning to come across all Liam Neilson, I do have a particular set of skills and experiences that are unlikely to be found in the majority of other candidates and that could be advantageous to potential employers in regards to resilience, determination, dedication and thinking outside the box to solve problems.
It’s just having the opportunity to explain that to any potential employer that is the stumbling block.
105.4 said:
Sadly, therein lies the nub of the problem.
Without meaning to come across all Liam Neilson, I do have a particular set of skills and experiences that are unlikely to be found in the majority of other candidates and that could be advantageous to potential employers in regards to resilience, determination, dedication and thinking outside the box to solve problems.
It’s just having the opportunity to explain that to any potential employer that is the stumbling block.
OK yes - if you have a sentence of over 4 years then it's never "spent"Without meaning to come across all Liam Neilson, I do have a particular set of skills and experiences that are unlikely to be found in the majority of other candidates and that could be advantageous to potential employers in regards to resilience, determination, dedication and thinking outside the box to solve problems.
It’s just having the opportunity to explain that to any potential employer that is the stumbling block.
Might be worth speaking to one of the charities involved in rehabilitation as they will have access to employers with a sympathetic outlook.
105.4 said:
Sadly, therein lies the nub of the problem.
Without meaning to come across all Liam Neilson, I do have a particular set of skills and experiences that are unlikely to be found in the majority of other candidates and that could be advantageous to potential employers in regards to resilience, determination, dedication and thinking outside the box to solve problems.
It’s just having the opportunity to explain that to any potential employer that is the stumbling block.
I have no doubt that you have repented and that you are a fine worker. However, citing experience and learnings from a (presumably) illegal enterprise as a plus point for a new job will not go far.Without meaning to come across all Liam Neilson, I do have a particular set of skills and experiences that are unlikely to be found in the majority of other candidates and that could be advantageous to potential employers in regards to resilience, determination, dedication and thinking outside the box to solve problems.
It’s just having the opportunity to explain that to any potential employer that is the stumbling block.
Some people are binary - you have a record, you're out.
If you have a record and you manage to get in, I would absolutely not recommend citing your experiences from that illegal activity as a plus point.
Whatever the question, situation or circumstance you're in - that period of your life was a mistake, it was foolish, you regret it and you've moved on from it. That's all. Do not try and spin it into a situation where those skills can be applied to a legitimate role.
This new job you were up for - the money is worse, but having that experience is vital. Can you do that and do a side gig to make the money up? Driving/delivery job in the evenings/weekends or something?
Muzzer79 said:
I have no doubt that you have repented and that you are a fine worker. However, citing experience and learnings from a (presumably) illegal enterprise as a plus point for a new job will not go far.
Some people are binary - you have a record, you're out.
If you have a record and you manage to get in, I would absolutely not recommend citing your experiences from that illegal activity as a plus point.
Whatever the question, situation or circumstance you're in - that period of your life was a mistake, it was foolish, you regret it and you've moved on from it. That's all. Do not try and spin it into a situation where those skills can be applied to a legitimate role.
This new job you were up for - the money is worse, but having that experience is vital. Can you do that and do a side gig to make the money up? Driving/delivery job in the evenings/weekends or something?
I read it as those skills and experience he mentions is from his current job that he seems rather good at, as opposed to his illegal acitivites... Some people are binary - you have a record, you're out.
If you have a record and you manage to get in, I would absolutely not recommend citing your experiences from that illegal activity as a plus point.
Whatever the question, situation or circumstance you're in - that period of your life was a mistake, it was foolish, you regret it and you've moved on from it. That's all. Do not try and spin it into a situation where those skills can be applied to a legitimate role.
This new job you were up for - the money is worse, but having that experience is vital. Can you do that and do a side gig to make the money up? Driving/delivery job in the evenings/weekends or something?
Sycamore said:
Muzzer79 said:
I have no doubt that you have repented and that you are a fine worker. However, citing experience and learnings from a (presumably) illegal enterprise as a plus point for a new job will not go far.
Some people are binary - you have a record, you're out.
If you have a record and you manage to get in, I would absolutely not recommend citing your experiences from that illegal activity as a plus point.
Whatever the question, situation or circumstance you're in - that period of your life was a mistake, it was foolish, you regret it and you've moved on from it. That's all. Do not try and spin it into a situation where those skills can be applied to a legitimate role.
This new job you were up for - the money is worse, but having that experience is vital. Can you do that and do a side gig to make the money up? Driving/delivery job in the evenings/weekends or something?
I read it as those skills and experience he mentions is from his current job that he seems rather good at, as opposed to his illegal acitivites... Some people are binary - you have a record, you're out.
If you have a record and you manage to get in, I would absolutely not recommend citing your experiences from that illegal activity as a plus point.
Whatever the question, situation or circumstance you're in - that period of your life was a mistake, it was foolish, you regret it and you've moved on from it. That's all. Do not try and spin it into a situation where those skills can be applied to a legitimate role.
This new job you were up for - the money is worse, but having that experience is vital. Can you do that and do a side gig to make the money up? Driving/delivery job in the evenings/weekends or something?
I wasn’t trying to brag, just merely point out that there could potentially be a couple of slight positives from my foolish past.
It certainly wasn’t anything that I mentioned in the job interview I’ve just had. At least, not until the very end of the interview when I came clean, lest my failure to do so resulted in people having their time wasted.
105.4 said:
A bit of both really, but I was more leaning towards the point which Muzzer has correctly identified as a no-no. Thanks for highlighting that Muzzer.
I wasn’t trying to brag, just merely point out that there could potentially be a couple of slight positives from my foolish past.
It certainly wasn’t anything that I mentioned in the job interview I’ve just had. At least, not until the very end of the interview when I came clean, lest my failure to do so resulted in people having their time wasted.
In which case yes, absolutely do not use those positives from your past I wasn’t trying to brag, just merely point out that there could potentially be a couple of slight positives from my foolish past.
It certainly wasn’t anything that I mentioned in the job interview I’ve just had. At least, not until the very end of the interview when I came clean, lest my failure to do so resulted in people having their time wasted.
I don't think it'd come across well at all.
Good luck either way - Though the job in question seems too much faff for the money etc on offer.
ChocolateFrog said:
High pressure, fast paced for less than £25k a year.
Why would you bother?
That's barely above the full time minimum living wage, if at all.
That’s my opinion also. If these skills are sufficiently rare then surely self employment (not in the previous sector!) is the answer. Why would you bother?
That's barely above the full time minimum living wage, if at all.
shirt said:
ChocolateFrog said:
High pressure, fast paced for less than £25k a year.
Why would you bother?
That's barely above the full time minimum living wage, if at all.
That’s my opinion also. If these skills are sufficiently rare then surely self employment (not in the previous sector!) is the answer. Why would you bother?
That's barely above the full time minimum living wage, if at all.
I thought you could get more than that stacking shelves...
I once hired someone who had done time for sex with a minor, we went through the interview process and he interviewed well, had relevant experience etc, at the end of the interview when we asked if he had any more to add, he volunteered the info as he knew it would come up when we did the background checks.
He explained what had happened - he was 17 she was 15 her father found out and reported it and he went down. 10 years later they were still a couple and living together.
Your past need not be a barrier if you are up front (ish) about it.
I once hired someone who had done time for sex with a minor, we went through the interview process and he interviewed well, had relevant experience etc, at the end of the interview when we asked if he had any more to add, he volunteered the info as he knew it would come up when we did the background checks.
He explained what had happened - he was 17 she was 15 her father found out and reported it and he went down. 10 years later they were still a couple and living together.
Your past need not be a barrier if you are up front (ish) about it.
Do you have a number in mind salary wise that you need to make the change?
That CS role does sound on the light side salary wise. The Civil Service - which is renowned for paying less than the private sector, would pay customer services staff around £30k. Plenty of hybrid roles in the Civil Service now and they won't be put off by your previous if you are transparent.
That CS role does sound on the light side salary wise. The Civil Service - which is renowned for paying less than the private sector, would pay customer services staff around £30k. Plenty of hybrid roles in the Civil Service now and they won't be put off by your previous if you are transparent.
Chipstick said:
Do you have a number in mind salary wise that you need to make the change?
That CS role does sound on the light side salary wise. The Civil Service - which is renowned for paying less than the private sector, would pay customer services staff around £30k. Plenty of hybrid roles in the Civil Service now and they won't be put off by your previous if you are transparent.
Yes. In the region of £35k + benefits / bonuses would be enough to make me switch, even if it meant doing a 50 hour week, (I currently work 70+ hrs on an average week).That CS role does sound on the light side salary wise. The Civil Service - which is renowned for paying less than the private sector, would pay customer services staff around £30k. Plenty of hybrid roles in the Civil Service now and they won't be put off by your previous if you are transparent.
I hadn’t considered the Civil Service as I just assumed my past would be an automatic “No”. Where would such jobs be advertised? The Guardian newspaper?
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