I've recently decided to change careers. Since leaving university 7 years ago, I have been running a small SFX / pyrotechnics firm, supplying production companies in the TV and film industry, but I've steadily become more and more frustrated with the ever-growing competition (too many similar businesses starting up, not enough work to go around) and I don't actually enjoy the work anymore. Morevover, my income has become increasingly erratic, which is not good with a kid to support. I'm in my early thirties, loaded down with specialist skills, so it's not going to be easy convincing employers to take me on, but what I would really like is a complete change. I'm prepared to go for modest jobs (obviously would prefer interesting-type jobs, but even admin would be fine at this stage), just as long as they are stable and not degrading to do, but I'm not sure where to start looking. Does anyone here know of a good resource for job-seekers looking to find work in the London and greater London areas? Any ideas in general about lateish career change logistics and options??
― James Lovelace, Monday, 8 August 2005 15:56 (twenty years ago)
James, expect it to be difficult, demoralising, painful, full of people who don't care about you, thinking you're underqualified, overqualified, too old or too clever.
Advice about a career change - know exactly what it is you want to do. because the odds of stumbling into a job and realising that you're completely happy with it are pretty much zero. So focus on areas you both know you're interested in and have a realistic idea of what they entail, how you'll progress etc. - speak to people who do them and see what their views are.
If you're taking on a tedious admin job because you need the cash, then keep active at looking for things you'd rather be doing. But even stable/non-degrading low-level jobs are a bitch to find, especially when you're not a school-leaver or a graduate. You may even have to downgrade your CV to avoid people being too intimidated to employ you.
Afterthought - can you sell your company? Do you have any employees who could continue with your reputation and your contacts, maybe with you as a paid consultant or majority shareholder? Could you take 12 months to find someone who you could train up to run the company after you've departed?
― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 8 August 2005 16:21 (twenty years ago)