Nearly 25, no prospects and little work history

DRH92

Hello all,

I’m a 24 (turning 25 next month) year old man in a difficult situation.

I left school with 7 Grade B-C GCSE’s and due to having an interest in cars I signed up for a 2 year Motor Mechanics course at College rather than do 6th Form with the hope of finding full time work at the end. After finishing the course I struggled to find a job in a garage due to lack of experience outside college and a few mechanics advised me to go back to education and learn something else as they hated their jobs!

I looked at various courses and decided on a BTEC in Business Studies with the hope of going to Uni at the end. I started off reasonably well but by the second year depression and anxiety had got hold of me but I plodded on and passed the course, although not with the most impressive of results. I gave up on the Uni idea as I feared I may end up dropping out.

Rather embarrassingly I failed to find any form of part time employment during the 4 years of college apart from a few months of volunteering at a museum when I was 19. I have always been very shy and my parents were still very overprotective at the time and never really pressured me into finding a job. I finally started paid work at a warehouse when I was 20 but left after 3 months due to the total disregard for Health and Safety in the place. I then spent 9 months unemployed (although I spent 2 months doing voluntary work in a charity shop) before I landed a job working on the Online Shopping department of a major supermarket. I worked there for just over 3 years as the hours were decent, I got on well with the other colleagues and I really needed the money and work experience. Unfortunately Head Office decided that the department wasn’t profitable enough and axed it in November, however I was offered the position of a shop floor assistant which is what I’m still doing now. Since I've started I feel more confident dealing with customers but apart from becoming a Team Leader there isn't any further scope for progression within the company and I don't want to be stuck in warehousing or retail forever.

I've been doing some research into possible careers over the past few weeks and this is what I'm considering so far:

-HGV or Bus/Coach driving
-A Motor Factors or Trade Counter role
-Engineering Apprenticeship (probably difficult at my age)
-Learning a Trade of some sort at evening classes

However I'm concerned my work history will be off-putting to most employers?

My main interest is cars but I don't think I could work on them for a living or have the gift of the gab for a sales job. Any other suggestions for a new career?

Thanks in advance,

Dan.



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ThinkingOutLoud_2

Dan

You can certainly put your thoughts down clearly and seem motivated to do something new / more. That is a good start. Focus on what you have - some decent qualifications, proof you can hold down a job and work in a team and attitude is worth the most.

In terms of finding ideas for careers that may suit you - there are quite e few tools of varying merit which may help formulate a possible list.

Try a few - Google career test (legit tests should not need personal details):-
e.g. https://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/explorer.htm and http://www.career-test.co.uk and https://www.metarasa.com/mmdi/questionnaire/ for starters.

Good luck.

elsien

I don't think your work history will necessarily be off-putting. After all, you have been working consistently for the last few years which shows a work ethic. And a lot of younger people job hop because they've not found the role that's right for them.
If you're making a change and can convince the employer that it is what you want to do, and it's not just something you're doing because you can't think of anything better, then your work history isn't going to hold you back.
I think your issue is more likely to be confidence and how you present yourself, once you've chosen the route to go down.

bugslet

Yes, you've had three solid years of work history and other bits in between,that shows you can hold a job down.

It's not unusual for people to not get into their stride with work until their mid-20s.

re HGV driving, I am happy to answer any questions on it, but first ask yourself is it something you really want to do, or is it something that you are considering because it's something you might be able to get into? If it's the former, then pursue it, if it's the latter, don't touch it with a barge pole.

let me know if HGVs are something you wnat to know more about.

lincroft1710

Having read your list of options, I would suggest that your current job is probably no worse than these for job progression/satisfaction.

Train drivers get good money, but like HGV/Bus/coach drivers you can be working unsocial hours. I can't see much difference between retail and trade counter especially in job progression.

Forget learning a trade at evening classes, very difficult to find employment.

ACG

Have you thought about going self employed?
I went self employed after realising i would never get a well paid job as I am useless in interviews. It panned out pretty well and I am a little louder/more confident now - still not the loudest, but it forces yourself to open up a bit otherwise people walk all over you and then you do not get paid.

DRH92

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I enjoy being out and about and not being "trapped" working in one location so I have considered HGV/PSV work. Train driving appears to be a very sought after job due to the money.

Motor Factor/Trade Counter is appealing due to having an interest in Vehicles and DIY and the hours and money are usually more than normal retail work.

I have done some research into learning a Trade and it seems an Apprenticeship is the only way to go.

Self employment is something I have thought about but I wouldn't know where to begin, I have some experience selling model cars and Automobilia on ebay with some success but that's all.

Stevie_Palimo

Nothing to add to the above here Dan bar the fact that my school education results were terrible and I went from one job to another over the years and some were great whilst others were really bad with horrible co workers and or bosses.

I now work for myself and I advise anyone who believes that they have the motivation and right product plus most importantly money to get by with during in the early stages to give it a go, Make sure you do enough homework on it and find a credible product/service.

Good luck with finding the right thing for you, It only took me 16 years of working for others to realise that being my own boss was what I wanted.

bugslet

For more info on HGVs I'd head over to the newbie section of Trucknet.

In short though, you can get your license in around a month, cost will be £3k.

Average earnings, well as a new driver, you will struggle to get a good job ( not impossible, I've taken new starts on, on Euro work and they earn 40k+), most likely you will have to manage with agency and get a bit of experience. After two years you should get a better job, there is a huge difference in wages depending where you are. £12.00 in the South East, £9-9.50 up North.

Truck driving covers so much, you could be out away from home many nights, or you could be home every night. You might work a 4 on 4 off system, you might be home every weekend, You might deliver to ports, farms, shops, factories, building sites, quarries. You might never get more than a 100 miles from base, you might find yourself weekended in Southern Italy. There's a lot of choice.

But have a realistic think about it, it's certainly not for everyone.

lincroft1710

DRH92 wrote: »

Train driving appears to be a very sought after job due to the money.

Well if it appeals don't let the thought of being in competition put you off.

DRH92

An update on my situation- I have spoken to a couple of local colleges who have both said there is no age limit on Apprenticeships now, so this is the route I want to go down even if it involves a pay cut. If that does not work out I will then look into driving jobs.