Poor work history/mental health - what should I do?

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

Scorpio33 wrote: »

Fair enough, I was just putting ideas out there.


But if you don't apply to anything, you are guaranteed not to get anywhere. Even if the OP thinks they do not stand a chance, it is at least worth investigating.


To the OP:


What made you want to join the army? Was it the fitness aspect (which ties in with the personal trainer)? If so, apart from personal training, what about a nutritionist? Or working in a gym as a gym instructor?

Personal trainers and gym instructors are in a massively overcrowded market. Massively. I know an endless supply of sports science graduates from one of the local universities who are all trying to go into this field and none of whom are doing more than scratching a living from it; and that is with their qualifications. There's no way it fulfils his "35K a year without having to spend time training" criteria.

While anyone can set themselves up as a "nutritionist", how do you suggest he gains sufficient knowledge that other people are going to pay him for the benefit of a consultation, or that an institution would hire him rather than a person with qualifications and experience?

SpicyChickenBaguette

ScorpiondeRooftrouser wrote: »

Personal trainers and gym instructors are in a massively overcrowded market. Massively. I know an endless supply of sports science graduates from one of the local universities who are all trying to go into this field and none of whom are doing more than scratching a living from it; and that is with their qualifications. There's no way it fulfils his "35K a year without having to spend time training" criteria.

While anyone can set themselves up as a "nutritionist", how do you suggest he gains sufficient knowledge that other people are going to pay him for the benefit of a consultation, or that an institution would hire him rather than a person with qualifications and experience?

I've said I'm happy to reassess my salary aspirations so you can stop thinking I'm after £35k a year.

SpicyChickenBaguette

27col wrote: »

The op seems to have an unlimited supply of reasons for not accepting any suggestion. He has a list of far too many jobs that are boring or "below" his attention to be worthy of looking at.
There is no guaranteed path towards his aspiration. He seems to think that his formula of a quick course and then a management job,is out there. But it's just the no-one has told him where it is.If such paths were common, everyone would do it.
In fact, I can't think why this thread has gone on as long as it has.

Bit OTT don't you think?

I have not supplied an unlimited list of reasons other than I don't want to go to university and I don't want to work in retail or warehouses. Is that seriously anywhere near 'unlimited'? I think I'm being fairly flexible on suggestions!

And so far suggestions have been retail (which I said I didn't want) and working for the civil service. Hardly a hotbed of constructive suggestions in this thread?

And where did you read I'm after a "quick course then a management job"? Nowhere have I said that. I said I'm looking for a qualification that will allow me to get my foot in the door for an entry level job.

Please read the posts instead of just summarising what you think I'm trying to say. I've already said numerous times that I have reassessed my salary aspirations.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

Nicki wrote: »

If you alike working out and have previously done some military training why not get some basic personal training qualifications and work in a gym part time. In the other part of your time you could train to be an osteopath http://www.collegeofosteopaths.ac.uk/osteopath_courses.html or possibly even a physiotherapist. So you combine your interests and current skills with part time working and training for a career at the end of things. Once qualified you could set up your own business, employ others, and generally be as ambitious as you care to be.

He has not done any military training. Even if he had, why do you think anyone with basic personal training qualifications can walk into a gym and get paid? Most are self-employed and the market is massively overcrowded.

Whatever one thinks of osteopaths, they require full degree course training. He doesn't want to do that unless he is guaranteed a job at the end of it, and he wants results in far less time that that would take.

missbiggles1

Nicki wrote: »

If you alike working out and have previously done some military training why not get some basic personal training qualifications and work in a gym part time. In the other part of your time you could train to be an osteopath http://www.collegeofosteopaths.ac.uk/osteopath_courses.html or possibly even a physiotherapist. So you combine your interests and current skills with part time working and training for a career at the end of things. Once qualified you could set up your own business, employ others, and generally be as ambitious as you care to be.

Given that part time osteopathy training takes almost as long as any other part time degree programme (5 - 5 1/2 years), it's hardly going to be the quick fix solution that the OP desires.

Personally, I haven't come across an osteopath who employs others but that doesn't mean that it doesn't happen.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

SpicyChickenBaguette wrote: »

Bit OTT don't you think?

I have not supplied an unlimited list of reasons other than I don't want to go to university and I don't want to work in retail or warehouses. Is that seriously anywhere near 'unlimited'? I think I'm being fairly flexible on suggestions!

And so far suggestions have been retail (which I said I didn't want) and working for the civil service. Hardly a hotbed of constructive suggestions in this thread?

And where did you read I'm after a "quick course then a management job"? Nowhere have I said that. I said I'm looking for a qualification that will allow me to get my foot in the door for an entry level job.

Please read the posts instead of just summarising what you think I'm trying to say. I've already said numerous times that I have reassessed my salary aspirations.

It's not eventually reaching 35K you need to reassess, it's how you get there.

You want a guaranteed course. There isn't one.

Ignore all these people saying "Why don't you be an astronaut!", they can't get you on the course and they can't get you the job.

Apply for everything you can and take what is offered you. You will probably find you have very little choice.

After doing a job for a while you will have a bit more choice.

The more you do jobs the more choice you will have.

That is the ladder you need to get on.

SpicyChickenBaguette

ScorpiondeRooftrouser wrote: »

He has not done any military training. Even if he had, why do you think anyone with basic personal training qualifications can walk into a gym and get paid? Most are self-employed and the market is massively overcrowded.

Whatever one thinks of osteopaths, they require full degree course training. He doesn't want to do that unless he is guaranteed a job at the end of it, and he wants results in far less time that that would take.

You seem to have concluded that I'm after the salary of a CEO by my next birthday. I'm more than willing to work and work hard. When I said "guaranteed" a job, I just meant that if I'm committing to a degree it has to be a degree that qualifies me for a job directly due to the degree (not meaning I would have a job waiting for me). For example, a degree in Business Management isn't going to qualify me for a job, but a degree in Pharmacology would qualify me to become a Pharmacist.

BigAunty

27col wrote: »

The op seems to have an unlimited supply of reasons for not accepting any suggestion. He has a list of far too many jobs that are boring or "below" his attention to be worthy of looking at.
...
In fact, I can't think why this thread has gone on as long as it has.

Because posters, despite criticism around forum etiquette, are generally suportive of those with MH issues and those who are very frustrated with non- and under-employment.

Because posters don't want to fully stamp on his ambition but would like him to look at the bigger picture and consider the risks and constraints, not just the reward. This includes the ability to see things from an employers perspective rather than write them off as selfish and biased (which they are but you can't give up on those grounds but just have to deal with).

Because he needs to be inspired to find a solution that fits with his actual needs, versus what he thinks he needs. A well paid job he seems to think will be the end of his troubles. There are many posts on this forum by people who have achieved this and its made them miserable.

Because he needs to know that the types of careers that he won't entertain, thinking that he is in control of his choices and is walking away from, actually have vacancies that candidates with better health, employment history, skills, knowledge, attitude and qualifications are routinely rejected for.

He might get the shock of his life if he does pursue them as certainly there are a number of posters on here who have thrown themselves with enthusiasm and perserverence at low paid entry level jobs with limited prospects and after hundreds of applications, and a year or two of trying, they haven't succeeded.

SpicyChickenBaguette

How do people stay motivated when they are in situations like this? It's easy for people to say "just take any job" when they are working in their dream career and are financially stable, but for someone like me who wants a career he can be proud of/passionate about, it's very frustrating to deal with and comprehend.

I am more than certain that you are giving me good advice (e.g. don't expect anything to just land on your plate, you aren't very employable, just try and get any job etc) and I'm sure it's the right advice, but it's just hard for someone like me who doesn't just want to let life pass me by. I looked people's profiles on LinkedIn and they'll have worked for numerous big name firms in various roles and have a good CV/work history. I want to be proud to say what I've achieved and working as a barista in Starbucks or stacking shelves isn't in any way comparable.

It's just hard to accept that I don't feel like I have much of a future, and no matter how much someone tries to sweeten the deal, the future looks bleak as hell. Everyone else seems to have it so easy, on the surface at least.

BigAunty

SpicyChickenBaguette wrote: »

And so far suggestions have been retail (which I said I didn't want) and working for the civil service. Hardly a hotbed of constructive suggestions in this thread?

.

But we are saying that if you limit it solely to what you want (based on your income aspirations, limits on training and development, and vague areas of interest, added by your rejection of some of the largest areas of employment) then it will be harder to achieve.

As I have repeatedly indicated, I am not pushing the civil service but yet it is one of the few employers that don't have lots of requirements for qualifications, skills or experience from its candidates, plus may be a more sympathetic employer for health issues than many. You openly admit to be shut out of many roles on these grounds yet shun them.

Where is your compromise? Where is your plan to make yourself impressive to employers? Why is it limited to a belief that there is a some kind of key course that will launch you into a successful career which lifts you above the strong competition for all jobs at all levels all across the country?