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

[Deleted User]

No I don't think anyone is unemployable, sorry couldn't write much earlier on a small phone and pushed for time, was kinda hoping the br wasn't that fresh as I've come across 1 or 2 companies who consider someone before they have officially done their time
(admittedly likely not the nicest end of financial services)
- but hey there is hope - you won't always be in this hole


Some of the nicest bosses were the cold calling ones - the last one paid 20p above NMW and didn't ask that many questions, you wouldn't have to do it long, and it may shock but that was also an
element of arranging finance! had a thought this afternoon of the 2 jobs offers I've recently had both employers were very interested in offering me work or it did strongly help because I hold a first aid certificate (maybe you could look into getting this for free/low cost
as a boast for the job hunting/morale?) if you've not already
As you can probably guess I'm more NMW jailbird but I don't give up so easily and it's the one thing I've got going for me whilst proud I've never needed to put my hands in the till cos I dealt with my problems! so don't let anyone put you down alright xx

Transformers

youngbuck2 wrote: »

The way some people are talking on here is quite eye opening for me - I'm starting to believe I'm unemployable even in minimum wage/entry level jobs because of the misconduct.

Sorry to rabbit on, but it's important I get some direction and a sense of purpose.

How long have you been unemployed?

How many jobs have you applied for? Any interviews?

What did the Job Centre advisor suggest?

I understand you need a longer term plan but your primary concern now should be just to get a job. Any job.

youngbuck2

Transformers wrote: »

How long have you been unemployed?

How many jobs have you applied for? Any interviews?

What did the Job Centre advisor suggest?

I understand you need a longer term plan but your primary concern now should be just to get a job. Any job.

Oh I completely agree - I'm after any job at the moment (minimum wage, shelf stacking, anything) just to get some money in but I also want to start thinking long term. My parents have said they will let me stay as long as I need (which is very nice of them, but as with most mature people I don't want to be a burden on them and would like to get back on my own feet as soon as possible).

I've been unemployed since March but only seriously been looking for work the past couple of months.

I've applied to lots of entry level, shop based jobs (sales assistant type) and not had a single reply yet, nor interviews. I don't know whether they think I'm not suitable because of being in the police for so long - this is before they've even discussed the GM issue with me.

Jobcentre haven't been very helpful, just showed me what they "expect" which is what I've been doing anyway (looking for work day and night).

youngbuck2

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Unfortunately you'd have to fund a NEBOSH qualification yourself and they aren't cheap.

That's no problem - my father has kindly offered to pay for any training costs (within reason) but the cost of any qualification like that would be okay.

Obviously anything degree level at university I'd have to fund with a student loan.

youngbuck2

agrinnall wrote: »

That's almost certainly not the case, but it's not going to make getting a job easy. Which is a good reason for the trade route, where you can be your own boss and not be dependent on what other people think of your past actions.

I really like the idea of learning a trade, but very apprehensive working as a sole trader/self employed trying to find work to earn a living - no experience of cold calling, generating clients/work, advertising myself etc.

youngbuck2

youngbuck2 wrote: »

Still interested in the Health & Safety sector..

Anyone in the H&S world have any input? Is it worth considering completing a NEBOSH national general certificate and then trying to find work in an entry-level H&S advisor role? I would *hopefully* have gained a positive reference in another job (retail type) whilst studying for the certificate. I just want to know whether this is a feasible route? Will the NEBOSH national general certificate in itself be sufficient?

Retail/Hospitality

Also considered what someone else mentioned - get general/minimum wage retail or hospitality job, gain as much entry level experience as possible, studying for a Business Management degree with the OU to gain knowledge and to show my intention to progress, then move around/push for better roles as I gain experience?

Does that sound realistic?

The way some people are talking on here is quite eye opening for me - I'm starting to believe I'm unemployable even in minimum wage/entry level jobs because of the misconduct.

Sorry to rabbit on, but it's important I get some direction and a sense of purpose.

Any thoughts on these plans? A lot of the H&S entry level roles I see don't advertise that they are looking for experience in any particular sector (e.g. manufacturing) and are more looking for a general health and safety role. In terms of getting my foot in the door this could be a good option and I can study for the higher certificates at the same time.

So any more opinions on this H&S idea or the retail option?

Thanks for all the replies so far, very eye opening and informative.

Transformers

youngbuck2 wrote: »

I've applied to lots of entry level, shop based jobs (sales assistant type) and not had a single reply yet, nor interviews. I don't know whether they think I'm not suitable because of being in the police for so long - this is before they've even discussed the GM issue with me.

Jobcentre haven't been very helpful, just showed me what they "expect" which is what I've been doing anyway (looking for work day and night).

I guess you've tried temp agencies, part time bar work, McD's, KFC, setting up a window cleaning business? Takeaway delivery driver?

Any local warehouses around? They always seem to be looking for nightshift workers.

I've known Officers who've left after their 30 years and found it hard to get work and that's with a full service and a positive reference.

youngbuck2

Transformers wrote: »

I guess you've tried temp agencies, part time bar work, McD's, KFC, setting up a window cleaning business? Takeaway delivery driver?

Any local warehouses around? They always seem to be looking for nightshift workers.

I've known Officers who've left after their 30 years and found it hard to get work and that's with a full service and a positive reference.

Regardless of the misconduct, the role of police officer does seem to put off a lot of employers in general for some reason - especially smaller companies, perhaps they don't feel comfortable having someone with that career in their past working with them, or expect us to be very straight laced, I don't know.

barbaraemmerson

I can thoroughly recommend the hospitality industry - you don't need qualifications just a really good hard work ethic. We own a small restaurant - our last two kitchen porters - one a school kid who hated school started as a part time KP and has progressed with us to being a commis chef - being trained day release and has a really good career ahead of him. Our last Kitchen porter had been in prison and was desperate for a job - any job - we gave him a start as a part time KP and again he is just now starting to learn to be chef - hard work, start at the bottom but the prospects are great.
Do not give up hope - there are jobs out there for everyone but with a poor reference and a bankruptcy it might just take you a bit longer.
Very best of luck!

youngbuck2

barbaraemmerson wrote: »

I can thoroughly recommend the hospitality industry - you don't need qualifications just a really good hard work ethic. We own a small restaurant - our last two kitchen porters - one a school kid who hated school started as a part time KP and has progressed with us to being a commis chef - being trained day release and has a really good career ahead of him. Our last Kitchen porter had been in prison and was desperate for a job - any job - we gave him a start as a part time KP and again he is just now starting to learn to be chef - hard work, start at the bottom but the prospects are great.
Do not give up hope - there are jobs out there for everyone but with a poor reference and a bankruptcy it might just take you a bit longer.
Very best of luck!

Are you hiring? I hope I find an employer as understanding as you.