How to get an easy job

buyaodanxin

chinesedeli wrote: »

The course that you did at uni, was it something that you really wanted to do and was passionate about?
You sound as though you are a bit down at the moment and really do not know which way to go and what to do. I am not sure if this also has anyhting to do with past relationships and/or family.....

... I am sorry that I do not have any good advice here as my background is in health care and I am no way near as clever as you are. I just wanted to say that if you can possibly take some time off and maybe do some thing's that are out of your comfort zone, that you may have a clearer mind about what sort of job that you can try next.

Take care and good luck x

Thanks, I did PPE (specialising in Politics and Economics). I was interested enough in it - scraped a 2:1.

Since leaving the city I have gravitated to Computer based work - like programming but not to that level, clever spreadsheets, that sort of thing.

I am a bit down at the moment - very much single / no ties / responsibilities really.

There is going to be a restructure where I work. I will probably encourage my own termination (as I am looking to leave anyway and will get a small package). Dont know what I will do after that.

Not sure about being "clever" - I see lots of less clever people with less money than me who are much more contented with their lives... So who is really the clever one ?

buyaodanxin

FBaby wrote: »

How can you say that when it took you to a job in the city that allowed you to invest and now to at least half live off these investments? I think you are forgetting where you could be if it wasn't for this past you seem to belittle.

As to what you can do to continue working with as little effort as possible? Well, you could start any self-employment type activity doing as little as is necessary?

In the end, all this is not so much about the job but where you are mentally and psychologically. Can see how your past worn you out and how you could crave a bit of peace and quiet, but forever? You clearly have high capacities and things you can do to give you a sense of self-worth. You are still so young.

It could have gone either way if I had quit Oxford - big money or not - I suspect if I had used the energy I had when I was younger better I would have done much better...

buyaodanxin

Somerset wrote: »

buy, what do you enjoy/love ? What do you do for fun when you aren't working ? If you can figure that out, find a job somewhere in that 'field' and just play things by ear.


The travelling is a good idea too. Give yourself some breathing space before the next challenge.

I trade the markets for fun / enjoyment / money, when I am not working I spend most of my time on this. I do a bit of exercise - considered becoming a personal trainer - but very competitive and volatile income.

I actually enjoyed the work in the city - I left because of the hours / stress / commute rather than anything else. I tried to negotiate on a few jobs but whilst these firms will consider bargaining on wages they wont consider (say) cutting hours to 3 days a week but halving salary. I offered that before resigning my job in London.

buyaodanxin

Nebulous2 wrote: »

It depends what you mean by not working.

What do you feel about physical work? Have you read any George Orwell? Down and out in Paris and London, for example.

I haven't a degree, have a professional qualification which unfortunately doesn't lead to very high earnings. I have never made a huge amount of money. I have shied away from and tried to avoid spending my whole life in an office. The best I can get with a moderate income is about half-and-half, fieldwork versus office based. I'm not afraid to put hours in though and have always done more hours than I am nominally paid for.

I'd be looking at seasonal work on farms if I was in your place. Spend a few weeks working hard physically then live off the income and repeat. Flit about, don't stay long enough for anyone to feel the need to promote you.

Lots and lots of physical work available; delivery driver, care worker, shelf stacker, fish farm worker, forestry worker, beater.

Hi Nebulous,
I read down and out in Paris and London years ago. It impressed me with how grim life was - that sort of life doesnt appeal.

Physical work doesnt seem a good idea - for one I am a thin, bookish type and am not built for it. The wage would be so little my other incomes would dwarf it so it wouldnt be a good use of my time. I do appreciate getting outside lifts the mood...

topdaddy_2

Become a financier and make other people work for your money. Work smarter not harder.
Or alternitively get help for the depression you are suffering from.

dawyldthing

I can understand you sometimes as I felt the same (but didn't go to Oxford). I studied to be a primary school teacher and battled through all the exams, placements and everything else that went with it. I broke my ankle the day final placement should have started so had to defer until September, by which I had passed all exams so only needed to pass final placement to be a fully qualified teacher. Fell ill during placement (found out in the end it was my thyroid) and in the end failed final placement. Now I work as a support worker on just over minimum wage and although the job doesn't challenge me much at all it means there isn't much responsibility and when I go home the time is my own rather than having another 100 or so things to get on with.

The point i'm trying to make though is I can't blame you not wanting to work long hours for more money. Money isn't the be all and end all in life. As long as you have a roof over your head, food on your table and something in life to get up for in the morning then it is the main thing. I've been asked many times if i'm going to retake placement or do a pgce year and I really can't see myself doing it as I don't want the hassle

dacouch

Have you thought of Matched Betting, which is basically using the bookies signing on bonuses or offers and accepting a similar bet from someone else on Betfair which is basically risk free. It will be similar to your trading experience, you are self employed and it's tax free.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=41

buyaodanxin

Hi Topdaddy,
I am already a financier to some extent. Unfortunately I dont quite have enough to live off that.

On depression - I have considered this. I looked at the NHS page. I do suffer from a few of the things listed. I am reluctant to say I am depressed - I still have a laugh from time to time, can accomplish things. People who I have known with depression have become grey , motivationless people where as I am not like that at all.

I am very reluctant to talk to a Doctor about it as once you let these people into your life they wont go away. Also, when I was in the city I was miserable to the point of starting to think about suicide (I didn't seriously consider it, but when it entered into my mind I knew I had to get out - and did. My life improved dramatically and it isn't something I really think about any more. A few guys I worked with recommended seeing therapists / psychologists. They couldn't imagine anyone sane would voluntarily walk away from a £40-50k 60 hour a week job to move up north get a £20k job and work 37 hours....

I have lots of capacity to change my life for the better - so surely this is a better way to approach it rather than a few prozac ?

buyaodanxin

dawyldthing wrote: »

I can understand you sometimes as I felt the same (but didn't go to Oxford). I studied to be a primary school teacher and battled through all the exams, placements and everything else that went with it. I broke my ankle the day final placement should have started so had to defer until September, by which I had passed all exams so only needed to pass final placement to be a fully qualified teacher. Fell ill during placement (found out in the end it was my thyroid) and in the end failed final placement. Now I work as a support worker on just over minimum wage and although the job doesn't challenge me much at all it means there isn't much responsibility and when I go home the time is my own rather than having another 100 or so things to get on with.

The point i'm trying to make though is I can't blame you not wanting to work long hours for more money. Money isn't the be all and end all in life. As long as you have a roof over your head, food on your table and something in life to get up for in the morning then it is the main thing. I've been asked many times if i'm going to retake placement or do a pgce year and I really can't see myself doing it as I don't want the hassle

Hi Dawny,
Thanks, you are not alone, someone I work with's wife was a teacher, couldnt find a job so became a teaching assistant, found a teaching job and has now decided to go back to being a teaching assistant as the extra money is nowhere near enough to justify the hastle / hours stress.

Sorry to hear about your experience - sounds rough.

Its 100X harder when you barely need to go to work to keep a roof over your head / put food on your table...

Cat2011

I feel for you. I am similar in wanting contentment rather than a massive salary/work-based ambitions. I would second the freelancing. I do a little myself. It can be volatile to begin with, but once you have a few ongoing clients it can become regular work. I just knock out a few powerpoints every now and again and people pay me for it . It is important to find fulfillment outside of work, if you are not career-oriented. Spend time looking for that - it makes life more fun.