Serious Career Advice Needed
Author
Discussion

dtmpower

Original Poster:

3,972 posts

274 months

Monday 30th September 2013
quotequote all
This may completely blow up in my face having seen similar threads for advice in the Lounge and in General Gassing, but let's hope I can be taken seriously.

I am in dire need of some career advice along with some assistance on refining my CV.

To set the scene:

33 years old

Physics Degree
Failed ATCO training
Worked in IT Support for a decade (contract and permanent - walked out of a few jobs through frustration/temperament)

Current position is coming to an end as the role is changing and I don't want to work in a call centre.

Looking to move out of IT - but lacking the confidence and inspiration as to how I'd be best placed, could also do with a wage hike as currently only earning £25k a year. I'd quite happily post a copy of my job history and CV if it would be helpful.

Other than IT and Telecoms support, I've not really worked in anything else. Dabbled at selling cars and bikes from home but cashflow was an issue and also had an eBay shop for about a year but was squeezed on margins and couldn't make good a few bad stocking decisions (electricals being returned)

I know several people on PH personally, so I've not tried to hide anything, KTF , kapiteinlangzaam , normalbloke to name but a few.

I feel I have lost the plot in some respects, avoiding career development but then also regretting not increasing my responsibilities/skills and thus salary.

Gargamel

16,349 posts

290 months

Monday 30th September 2013
quotequote all
Hi,

Always difficult to give good advice, especially when much of career development is so personally driven.

From what details you have given, and the combination of sales and IT interests, I wonder about account management or Vendor Management as possible adjacent careers for you.

Alternatively, could you look at facilities management ?

You need to pick an unglamorous specialism that is short of good talent, it can lead to rapid development if you are good/fast learner.

Facilities is full of "clipboard jockeys" whereas good commercial people are hard to source. However shyness is going to be an issue in many of these moves, these days you need to be a good communicator for most roles.


rog007

5,829 posts

253 months

Monday 30th September 2013
quotequote all
Happy to look over CV as it stands. In terms of career advice; can assist with that too, but that needs to be on a one-to-one as it's personal as mentioned above. Good luck!

oldbanger

4,328 posts

267 months

Monday 30th September 2013
quotequote all
Firstly OP think in terms of skill sets not job titles. This I likely to open a few extra doors;

As an aside rog007 I don't appear to be able to pm you - can you try the other way please?

rog007

5,829 posts

253 months

Tuesday 1st October 2013
quotequote all
Seems to be working; a blank PM made it through. Responded to that too.

schmalex

13,616 posts

235 months

Thursday 3rd October 2013
quotequote all
rog007 said:
Happy to look over CV as it stands. In terms of career advice; can assist with that too, but that needs to be on a one-to-one as it's personal as mentioned above. Good luck!
OP. Speak to this man. He knows his onions