Careers advice

Quickblood

I've just turned 36 year and haven't got what I'd call a career. I just change jobs every 6 or so years and find myself doing something I always sorta hate that doesn't really pay very much, slightly less than the national average. Recently I've caught wind of what some old university mates are earning and I'd like to at least earn a decent wedge eventually if possible.

Problem is I've never known what I want to do only what I don't want, which always seems to be anything.:p

I think I need some real hand holding to find a career I could do that pays OK. I'm hoping there's something out there I've never even considered & for once I'm willing to relocate and leave London behind. I know I need to speak to a careers advisor of some sort but no idea where to start and how much this could cost?

Any advice is welcome.

ThemeOne

Could you give us some clues as to what you're good at, not good at, like, don't like etc ?

Jackieboy

Some places where you could start -

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/

http://www.thecareeradvicecentre.com/

Quickblood

ThemeOne wrote: »

Could you give us some clues as to what you're good at, not good at, like, don't like etc ?

Always been my problem which is why I'd like to see a professional. I don't think I'm really good at anything and the few things I quite like doing e.g Cooking, baking, computers all look like terrible jobs.

At my age I'm kinda resigned to finding something I dislike but can do, that pays but what I'm really hoping for is a job that I never even considered

Jackieboy wrote: »

Some places where you could start -
http://www.thecareeradvicecentre.com/

Yeah that's what I need although not at those prices. That's almost half a month's wages for me.:eek:

http://www.thecareeradvicecentre.com/programmes-prices/

suki1964

Quickblood wrote: »

Always been my problem which is why I'd like to see a professional. I don't think I'm really good at anything and the few things I quite like doing e.g Cooking, baking, computers all look like terrible jobs.

At my age I'm kinda resigned to finding something I dislike but can do, that pays but what I'm really hoping for is a job that I never even considered


Yeah that's what I need although not at those prices. That's almost half a month's wages for me.:eek:

http://www.thecareeradvicecentre.com/programmes-prices/

Cooking and baking aren't terrible jobs

I cooked for a living for 10 years and I loved every minute of it

Sure I was never going to get rich and famous, but the best jobs in the world are the ones you actually enjoy

Quickblood

suki1964 wrote: »

Cooking and baking aren't terrible jobs

I cooked for a living for 10 years and I loved every minute of it

Sure I was never going to get rich and famous, but the best jobs in the world are the ones you actually enjoy

I'm not looking to be famous and as far as money goes if I were earning anything over the national average salary I'd be pretty happy.
As for cooking and baking as a job, they unfortunately look terrible to me at least as an employee, it's something I'd consider as a business owner but from what little I've seen it's not something I'd choose to do as a career, although admittedly I may have a warped view of the career from watching Gordon Ramsey and alike.

ThemeOne

They seem to be very short of train drivers these days.

Quickblood

ThemeOne wrote: »

They seem to be very short of train drivers these days.

Great suggestion but guess who failed the test 3 times 😩
If everything had gone my way I'd be a night tube driver right now earning pretty much what I earn now but only working weekends.

bugslet

About ten years ago I went to a careers advisor as I was a bit fed up. In the end, I didn't change but the evaluation of my strengths and weaknesses was very helpful ( you can't see yourself impartially )and if I did change career, at least I'd know what to aim for.

If I recollect correctly, it cost around £230.00 for the evaluation and report, but that was a while back. That may be a good chunk of money, but if it gets you out of a rut and into a career path that will pay more, then it's worth it.

If you are interested I can PM details through.

Quickblood

bugslet wrote: »

About ten years ago I went to a careers advisor as I was a bit fed up. In the end, I didn't change but the evaluation of my strengths and weaknesses was very helpful ( you can't see yourself impartially )and if I did change career, at least I'd know what to aim for.

If I recollect correctly, it cost around £230.00 for the evaluation and report, but that was a while back. That may be a good chunk of money, but if it gets you out of a rut and into a career path that will pay more, then it's worth it.

If you are interested I can PM details through.

That sounds really good thanks.

jamesperrett

Quickblood wrote: »

Cooking, baking, computers all look like terrible jobs.

Not sure where you get the idea that computing jobs are terrible - there's a wide range of jobs out there and a wide range of courses available to help you gain those jobs. The OU offer some decent part time courses that you could fit around your current job.