Career change?

mitch_

I was "let go" back in August by my employer in the oil and gas industry where I worked as an Engineer. I had been in this industry since 2001 after serving 13 years in the RAF as a Weapons Technician.
My problem now is no matter how many CV's I put out or how many employers I try to convince that I am serious about a career change, no one is willing to take a chance and employ me. Is this because they think I will leave them as soon as the oil industry picks up again (latest estimates are roughly 2017...), or is it because I'm an old man at 46???
I have been to the job centre who say I will have "no trouble getting a job quickly" although all they could provide was a job 50 miles away that would see me doing 18hr days and being so out of pocket you wouldn't believe.
I am willing to consider anything to a point and willing to relocate for the right position.
Any ideas???

dawyldthing

A lot with jobs today is showing you will stick around for a while unless it is a temping post as they don't want to recruit someone that will stay a few weeks as recruiting in time and effort is time consuming

bugslet

What direction are you looking at? Is the job you had in the oil and gas reasoinably transferable or was it very industry specific?

I think part of it will be that if there is someone with all the skills, then it's far easier to employ them.

mitch_

A lot of what I have done previously is easily transferrable... My main focus is trying to find a rewarding job that I actually enjoy! I've not had a job that didn't give me that sinking feeling when I woke up for a long time!

DKLS

Probably not helpful but my two mates were in Oil and gas and let go, one has gone to a Oil n Gas job in UAE on a lot less money but more than was available post $50 a barrel prices
The other has gone to a mining company in Australia and is on mega money.