The Careers/Jobs thread

[Sam-AVFC]

16 hours ago, A'Villan said:

Sorry VT. Better avenues for counselling on this subject. 

No idea what you wrote, but I'd trust VT to give some detailed balanced advice to sincere questions than most other sources.

[Sam-AVFC]

4 hours ago, Rodders said:

Had a job interview at 1pm, offered the job at 3pm. Excellent news. A secondment, much needed as so bored and unmotivated in my current role. Slightly annoyed I was a bit unambitious, as I went for a band 4 role and found out a newer colleague had gone for the band 5 and got it. I hadn't bothered as I kept getting nope "someone has more experience" for the past few band 5 interviews I've had. Still, that'll teach me. 

In my experience civil service(?) secondments are far more likely to promote someone than being able to move up the ladder internally. I know a few people who did it and ended up getting long overdue promotions in their own department when they returned.

[StefanAVFC]

im not sure where the inspiration has come from (maybe it's the fact i've been back in the UK for the last 3 weeks) but I was thinking of applying for a fully remote UK based job because in my field, jobs over here in pounds pay probably 30%-40% better.

Has anyone ever been registered for a job in one country and lived abroad? Can I just register at my home address with my uk bank account and pay normal tax that way?

[A'Villan]

2 hours ago, Sam-AVFC said:

No idea what you wrote, but I'd trust VT to give some detailed balanced advice to sincere questions than most other sources.

Me too. I'd co-sign that for sure.

However I'm considering the situation before airing my thoughts.

Thanks for the reply and thoughts nonetheless. 

[Spoony]

Does anyone work on the production side in the wine or spirit industry? I’m absolutely desperate to leave my job and I’m in a fortunate enough position to not need a high salary anymore. I’m definitely willing to work hard and do manual labour in a field that interests me. Ive been looking at taking some WSET courses but it’s hard to know where to start really. 

[Rds1983]

8 hours ago, Spoony said:

Does anyone work on the production side in the wine or spirit industry? I’m absolutely desperate to leave my job and I’m in a fortunate enough position to not need a high salary anymore. I’m definitely willing to work hard and do manual labour in a field that interests me. Ive been looking at taking some WSET courses but it’s hard to know where to start really. 

I did the first few WSETs about 15 years ago and enjoyed them. Relatively basic at first but then decent jump up. If you're after production side though I'd look at doing a viticulture and oenology degree (I was going to do it at Southampton or somewhere but couldn't get financial support). Alternatively, you could reach out to a local vineyard and see if they're hiring or need volunteers. There's some all over the country even as far north as Yorkshire. 

[Spoony]

1 hour ago, Rds1983 said:

I did the first few WSETs about 15 years ago and enjoyed them. Relatively basic at first but then decent jump up. If you're after production side though I'd look at doing a viticulture and oenology degree (I was going to do it at Southampton or somewhere but couldn't get financial support). Alternatively, you could reach out to a local vineyard and see if they're hiring or need volunteers. There's some all over the country even as far north as Yorkshire. 

That’s really helpful thanks. I’m in Wiltshire now and there’s several around here I plan to reach out to.

[El Zen]

I love my job. I love my profession. I truly see teaching as my life’s calling, for lack of a better word. Being in the classroom is a thrill and a joy it’s hard to find anywhere else, and you couldn’t ask for a better group of colleagues than mine. I have some truly wonderful friends there whom I enjoy both working and socialising with.

Despite all that, the thought of doing something else has crossed my mind recently. We’re in the middle of a teachers’ strike in Norway (I haven’t been selected yet, not likely to be) that really has brought to the fore how much responsibility I have for such relatively low pay. Compared to more or less anyone with my level of education, I’m basically bottom of the pile in terms of salary. Compared to more or less everyone in my social circle, I make significantly less. I’m damn good at my job,  people like working with me, I’m bright and talented. But I’m being left behind financially because I chose to use that to teach future generations the skills they need in life. 

The offer on the table from the employers’ side (centralised collective bargaining) would give me a real wage decrease for the sixth year running (not adjusted for seniority hikes.) I’m honestly fed up with not being valued for my contribution to society. I’m not in this job to be a millionaire, but I deserve better than this shite. 

[Lichfield Dean]

11 hours ago, El Zen said:

I love my job. I love my profession. I truly see teaching as my life’s calling, for lack of a better word. Being in the classroom is a thrill and a joy it’s hard to find anywhere else, and you couldn’t ask for a better group of colleagues than mine. I have some truly wonderful friends there whom I enjoy both working and socialising with.

Despite all that, the thought of doing something else has crossed my mind recently. We’re in the middle of a teachers’ strike in Norway (I haven’t been selected yet, not likely to be) that really has brought to the fore how much responsibility I have for such relatively low pay. Compared to more or less anyone with my level of education, I’m basically bottom of the pile in terms of salary. Compared to more or less everyone in my social circle, I make significantly less. I’m damn good at my job,  people like working with me, I’m bright and talented. But I’m being left behind financially because I chose to use that to teach future generations the skills they need in life. 

The offer on the table from the employers’ side (centralised collective bargaining) would give me a real wage decrease for the sixth year running (not adjusted for seniority hikes.) I’m honestly fed up with not being valued for my contribution to society. I’m not in this job to be a millionaire, but I deserve better than this shite. 

I think you're very lucky in a way. Many people don't enjoy their jobs at all, even if they are earning a higher wage. I'd jump at a chance to do a job I really love even if it's for less money - but I don't seem to be able to work out what that is or how to get there.

Remember... you spend every working day in your job. Happiness is hard to come by and money doesn't get you all that time back.

However, yes, it does seem like you're being undervalued and I can see how that's going to detract from the enjoyment of your job somewhat.

Maybe you could look into something that uses your skills outside of school teaching? Corporate training perhaps? But it's unlikely to give you quite the same rewards as being in a classroom I'd suspect.

[StefanAVFC]

I am so bored with my job. I am at certain level in a company that I work maybe 25% of my time and get paid decent money to do so (top 5% in Poland) 

 

despite that I want a change to actually feel like I’m doing something even if I need to take a pay cut to do so

 

am I mental?

[villaglint]

57 minutes ago, StefanAVFC said:

I am so bored with my job. I am at certain level in a company that I work maybe 25% of my time and get paid decent money to do so (top 5% in Poland) 

 

despite that I want a change to actually feel like I’m doing something even if I need to take a pay cut to do so

 

am I mental?

Not at all. We spend so much time working it’s far from crazy to seek some fulfilment in what you’re doing during that time. There are many many more important things than money. 

Edited September 24, 2022 by villaglint

[Mandy Lifeboats]

10 hours ago, StefanAVFC said:

 

am I mental?

No.   We spend a lot of time at work.  We should get more from it than just money. 

[cheltenham_villa]

12 hours ago, StefanAVFC said:

I am so bored with my job. I am at certain level in a company that I work maybe 25% of my time and get paid decent money to do so (top 5% in Poland) 

 

despite that I want a change to actually feel like I’m doing something even if I need to take a pay cut to do so

 

am I mental?

No, made a similar decision about 12 years ago. Money was great, work was not challenging and it made me cynical and unhappy outside of work. Sometimes you have to walk away from these things

 

[Talldarkandransome]

12 hours ago, StefanAVFC said:

I am so bored with my job. I am at certain level in a company that I work maybe 25% of my time and get paid decent money to do so (top 5% in Poland) 

 

despite that I want a change to actually feel like I’m doing something even if I need to take a pay cut to do so

 

am I mental?

Get out, best advice I could give. I took a pay cut 18 years ago and was the best thing I did. I currently work from home and while the money is now slightly better than I was on 18 years ago I am always knackered and angry. 

[Rds1983]

Has anyone ever used a professional CV writing service and was it worth the money? 

[It's Your Round]

16 minutes ago, Rds1983 said:

Has anyone ever used a professional CV writing service and was it worth the money? 

I haven’t yet but as part of my redundancy package I’m getting some time with a recruitment/CV writing firm. I’ll let you know if they’re any good. Whether you need an expert to format your CV is up for debate, there are some basic rules to follow that will help yours stand out, and they’re freely available. 

[Rds1983]

17 minutes ago, It's Your Round said:

I haven’t yet but as part of my redundancy package I’m getting some time with a recruitment/CV writing firm. I’ll let you know if they’re any good. Whether you need an expert to format your CV is up for debate, there are some basic rules to follow that will help yours stand out, and they’re freely available. 

This is it, I'm curious what they actually do that isn't already freely available? Is it just formatting and adding the latest buzz words? 

Good luck with redundancy (happened to me twice before and not fun) and finding something better in future. 

[Stevo985]

On 24/09/2022 at 21:18, StefanAVFC said:

I am so bored with my job. I am at certain level in a company that I work maybe 25% of my time and get paid decent money to do so (top 5% in Poland) 

 

despite that I want a change to actually feel like I’m doing something even if I need to take a pay cut to do so

 

am I mental?

My easiest days at work are the days where I feel the worst. No sense of achievement at the end of the day isn't a good feeling.

Maybe it's ok for some people, but no you're not mental. Money is only a motivator when you don't have it. Humans need more than that, and for a lot of us a challenge and the feeling that you're achieving things are necessary

[Seat68]

Been on the bench for nearly 4 weeks. Was due to start with a new client 3 weeks ago but they seem to be dragging their heals. I go on holiday next week so unlikely to have anything prior to that. I should be happy, on the bench, getting paid, fantastic. Its boring as hell and I can't stray too far as my employer might set me up for an interview without notice. I have completed YouTube. 

[UpTheVilla26]

I started a new job in July as a Merchandiser for a well known LVT flooring company. They even have a box at Villa!!! 

Anyway, my probation got extended this month due to the fact I'd not done any in showroom training. Last 2 weeks I've led 3 sessions, one with 6 people which was a bit nerve wracking, and my boss rang me this afternoon to say I'm being signed off as no point in waiting until October 18th.

I'll be having a few vinos tonight to celebrate, it's always a worry when you start a new job that your face don't fit or you ain't doing something right. I'm on very good money, doing a job I love, after what has been a very shit couple of years personally, so onwards and upwards.