28M - Ex-police (resigned) and bankrupt - career advice?

youngbuck2

Here goes. Open and honest here, but have nothing to lose. Not looking for judgement or "what did you do?" questions as I won't answer them, but kind, constructive advice.

So..................

I'm 30 and was left no real choice but to resign from my job due to being faced with a gross misconduct allegation with not much of a leg to stand on - I worked for the police service. Because of losing my job I ended up having to declare bankruptcy a few weeks ago. I lost my partner and my rented flat and as I had no savings or assets I was forced to move back in with my parents hundreds of miles away from anyone I knew. I've been unemployed since February and have put on a lot of weight and been drinking a lot more because I can't see a future, I have so much to 'sort out'.

Anyway.

I need a new career. Not just a job, a career - something I can be proud of with good prospects. I have only GCSEs (no A-Levels and no degree). I am very work driven, it is what drives me through life and working for the last 8 years in a job I loved was exhilarating. Although I have lots of good transferable skills (excellent communicator, investigation and interviewing skills), the police is one of the most difficult careers to leave and successfully enter another.


I want a good career, with prospects and ofcourse, good earning potential. I was earning over £40k a year in my last job, and whilst I know that kind of salary won't appear instantly for me, I would like to aim towards that kind of salary within 3-4 years if possible.


I have two big problems preventing me from having complete choice over any career path I take. The first I mentioned before - the misconduct. My reference specifically mentions that I resigned whilst subject to a gross misconduct allegation which is obviously going to put off a lot of potential employers. Secondly, my bankruptcy. I will be discharged next April, however I have since found out that even after bankruptcy/discharge it will be almost impossible for me to get employment in anything to do with finance (chartered accountant, mortgage advisor, banking etc) and a few other careers.

I know not having a degree may hold me back - and I am happy to complete one, if it is 100% mandatory to the career I enter and there is no other way in. Considering I have no money, realistically I don't want to spend the next 4 years studying and earning pennies in a part time job and not have a job at the end of that study period. However, if I was suggested a career that having a degree is vital for, and they were open to applicants with no relevant experience then I would consider it.

The perfect situation for me would be to study in my own time for a short period (up to 18 months or so) OR enter a job with good prospects straight away (although this sounds almost impossible). Doing a short term qualification sounds realistic as I can learn what I need to, but also do it in a reasonable amount of time (up 18 months instead of 4 years). I have no A-Levels so would have to complete an extra year on top of any degree (which is why I said 4 years instead of 3). I don't particularly want to be 33-34 having just graduated and having no job at the end of it.

My other concern is that even if I did complete training/certificates/a degree, I will be at a disadvantage of "ageism". I know early 30's isn't exactly ancient, and legally companies aren't allowed to do it, but we all know it goes on: an employer will almost always prefer a 21 year old fresh out of uni with a degree over a 32 year old with baggage and a degree.

Sorry for the long post, but this is a big deal and a critical part of my life - so much has gone wrong, I just want to start fresh and make amends.

In summary, I need career suggestions considering the following:

• I'm 28 and living with parents
• No assets or savings
• No car
• Only GCSEs (no A-Levels, no degree)
• Looking for a career with good prospects, not just a job.
• Preferably doesn't involve years of studying at uni for a degree, but will consider if absolutely necessary
• Must have good earning potential within a reasonable time frame
• Looking to move up the ladder/salary scale as quickly as possible
• Open to any suggestions
• Will consider relocating anywhere
• Must not be in the finance sector.
• Must not involve cold calling.
• Don't want to join the army (not the lifestyle for me)

Sorry for the long post - and if you've read this far then thanks for reading. Hoping for some good, constructive advice.

Generali

I reckon the only way you'll get that lot is if you learn a trade. Plumbing perhaps.

I work in finance and you'd be unemployable in my industry, or at least the decent bits of it ( sorry to be blunt).

If I were you I'd get a trade and go self employed.

youngbuck2

Generali wrote: »

I reckon the only way you'll get that lot is if you learn a trade. Plumbing perhaps.

I work in finance and you'd be unemployable in my industry, or at least the decent bits of it ( sorry to be blunt).

If I were you I'd get a trade and go self employed.

Every day that passes I am becoming more convinced that I am unemployable.

I'm either not eligible, for example the finance industry like you say, mainly due to the bankruptcy.

Or, my misconduct, and the fact that my reference states I resigned due to misconduct puts universities/employers off completely without even trying.

Is being a self employed plumber/another trade really going to pay that well though? Most jobs I see advertised for trades are less than half the salary I had in the police. Would being self employed really pay enough? Not at all suggesting that earning £20k isn't liveable, but I have aspirations like most people to earn a good salary - I'd be happy with £40k a year and want to aim to get back to that as quick as I can.

I would love to work in the finance industry but it's just not going to happen. I want something I can sink my teeth into, be passionate about and be proud to have as a career that has good prospects - perhaps my own business, but I can't be a company director due to bankruptcy and certainly wouldn't be able to get any working capital/business loan for at least 5 years.

Rainhands

I know it's not what you want to hear but some people in life we have to humble ourselves. It's OK to dream about big money, but if you have no qualifications or relevant experience then even landing a 20k job is difficult.

Are there any specific skills you learned during your time in the police force which may be transferable? Did you have good IT knowledge or did you do a lot of case working? Try to sell these things on your CV.

If all else fails you may simply have to get more qualifications or learn a trade. You can study your degree online if you still want to work full-time. Whatever it is, get this thought of earning 40k out of your head for now, it won't happen overnight. Instead work out what you want to do and work your way to achieving that goal, the rewards will come by itself.

youngbuck2

Rainhands wrote: »

I know it's not what you want to hear but some people in life we have to humble ourselves. It's OK to dream about big money, but if you have no qualifications or relevant experience then even landing a 20k job is difficult.

Are there any specific skills you learned during your time in the police force which may be transferable? Did you have good IT knowledge or did you do a lot of case working? Try to sell these things on your CV.

If all else fails you may simply have to get more qualifications or learn a trade. You can study your degree online if you still want to work full-time. Whatever it is, get this thought of earning 40k out of your head for now, it won't happen overnight. Instead work out what you want to do and work your way to achieving that goal, the rewards will come by itself.

Thank you for your post.

I think I'm just finding it hard to let go of what I achieved - £40k isn't mega rich but I enjoyed my lifestyle and it has all disappeared so quickly.

Unfortunately, all of the skills I attained were police specific, although I had a lot of experience interviewing victims and suspects and completing case papers.

I know I will need to work very hard to get back to where I was. Being determined enough and my motivations aren't the problem - my problem is what career should I pursue?

If anyone here can suggest a career path (i.e. what training/certificates or even degree are needed) I can follow that meets the criteria (e.g. bankruptcy not being an issue) then I'd be really appreciative - it's very difficult to get focused after such a life changing period.

Southend1

I agree with Generali. Learn a trade, go self employed. I can't think of any other options for you. Tbh you would struggle to get minimum wage work with a bad reference and no qualifications beyond GCSE. The experience would count for something if it weren't for the misconduct.

Contact your local college and ask what courses they offer that may be suitable.

PlutoinCapricorn

"the police is one of the most difficult careers to leave and successfully enter another."

Have you seen this thread?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5262004

Enterprise_1701C

We have our own business. It can be hard, but you dictate the times you work and who you do the work for, if you don't like a customer you can say no. We have built up a large customer base of loyal customers that come back again and again.

A trade is the way to go. Maybe find somewhere offering an apprenticeship? Electricians and plumbers are always in demand, and good builders are very hard to find. You might actually find it quite satisfying

youngbuck2

PlutoinCapricorn wrote: »

"the police is one of the most difficult careers to leave and successfully enter another."

Have you seen this thread?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5262004

Yep I read that earlier, he specifically wanted to enter recruitment consultancy and the opinion he had back was that it was cutthroat and a difficult role with lots of staff turnover. Also he hadn't resigned due to misconduct and was a detective with a lot more "office"/paper trail experience than myself who was mainly a response team officer. Good luck to him.

I still stand by my view that it is one of the most difficult careers to switch over from. The skills we pick up are mostly practical and communication based, there aren't any qualifications that are transferred over. The closest matching job skills wise to my own would be a security guard.

I mean, how does training in emergency response driving, restraining people, officer safety/first aid skills and interviewing/case file preparation come into it when looking at changing to another job? At least a firefighter can slot into a health and safety manager type role, a paramedic can work in the private sector and be rewarded handsomely. Police are just...police, or a security guard.

Admittedly, detective based roles can develop a very good/expert level knowledge of fraud and end up working as a security consultant/fraud consultant or all manner of specialist roles but my years in the job were almost all response based.

youngbuck2

Enterprise_1701C wrote: »

We have our own business. It can be hard, but you dictate the times you work and who you do the work for, if you don't like a customer you can say no. We have built up a large customer base of loyal customers that come back again and again.

A trade is the way to go. Maybe find somewhere offering an apprenticeship? Electricians and plumbers are always in demand, and good builders are very hard to find. You might actually find it quite satisfying

That's quite satisfying to read.

I think for my aspirations and drive, career and salary wise I would probably have to be self employed to gain the pay I want. I will look into a trade, I just don't want to be one of those thousands of people out there working in a trade struggling to find work and working for a company - self employed sounds the way to go.

youngbuck2

Southend1 wrote: »

I agree with Generali. Learn a trade, go self employed. I can't think of any other options for you. Tbh you would struggle to get minimum wage work with a bad reference and no qualifications beyond GCSE. The experience would count for something if it weren't for the misconduct.

Contact your local college and ask what courses they offer that may be suitable.

Which is why I'm hoping someone on this thread can suggest another option. I am considering a trade, but it seems a big struggle having to generate my own clients from scratch. I like the idea of being self employed and having a skill but I really don't like the idea of cold calling, door to door, leaflet and business card dropping. I hate it myself personally being on the receiving end which is why I have doubts about that option.