Learning to walk before I run

greenbee

Sorry to hear work is getting you down Ed. It might be worth having a look round for something different if it's that bad - now is a really good time as there are shortages in all sectors and most roles. It's definitely an employees' market! I have (I think...) about 12 open roles at the moment, recruiting US/UK remote and am struggling to get good candidates (and for some roles even to get a decent volume of applications) and I know I'm not alone. So not a bad time to change organisation or even career direction as it's the kind of market in which transferable skills and experience become even easier to position. 

edinburgher

Thanks all, still feeling funky, but not in a good way. I went hard at my hill running session this morning and the tiredness has definitely reduced the feeling - amazing the difference exercise can make sometimes. That said, I have replaced worried frustration with feeling freezing (it was tipping it down in the park), so it's not all good

@South_coast - that's definitely one way of looking at it and "old me" would absolutely have thought like that - trapped by responsibilities and panicked about the possibilities for failure. I think, however, that I'm growing out of that mindset a little. I absolutely appreciate that I need to earn a reasonable living to support my family, but I'm not alone in this (both Mrs E and the world in general). Yes, I work hard (for the most part) in a job that can be repetitive, intellectually challenging and frankly grim in equal measures, but I am grateful for my life. We live in a lovely suburb, surrounded by friendly people and we don't need to make decisions about heating or eating. It's hard to keep things in perspective sometimes and I'm the first to admit that I let characters get under my skin  Unfortunately we've already had our February break, it was an enjoyable interlude but back to business now. We've got two trips to look forward to in April, which is nice.

@greenbee - what sector do you work in? I sometimes wonder if I'm institutionalised after 3 jobs (c. 12 years) in local government that all included some aspect of performance management/governance/access to information. It sometimes feels like the trade off is "read about horrible events for £40k a year and a decent pension", I'd certainly try my hand at something a bit less gritty! I sometimes think I have a very unbalanced view of the world of work. Everyone I know has worked in some flavour of the public sector, IT or finance.

A bonus day today as I was able to withdraw £29 from TCB. I have made £10 payments to OP/CC/ISA by topping up the extra pile of change required from elsewhere in the budget. I am pleased with this, but basically have no cashback left now, which makes me a bit sad Less than £4 remains, which is odd for a guy who has withdrawn £2,400 from TCB over the years. I am not sure if this is a sign of stability (for example, not changing services as we've been in the house for over 6 years now), a sign that I'm spending less, a sign that fewer retailers now offer cashback, or perhaps a sign that we use Am@zon too much? Only really car and home insurance to switch for the rest of the year... Potentially £260-275 to come from two current account switches, but other than those, FIT payments and savings interest, I'm out of wheezes for making extra money.

savingholmes

I think there's a decline in cashback - but at the same time lots of new providers to offering cashback which has kind of diluted things. I too only have a 'claim' to come - which is likely to take until May to resolve. My next chance of earning decent new cashback is probably May when my home insurance is due... unless I fit in a cheeky mini break somewhere...

greenbee

I've reached the stage in my career where I'm open to suggests of anything that looks interesting and might keep me interested! I started in publishing (financial, then travel), moved into IT as a practitioner, spent some time as an industry analyst, then joined a startup to do some strategy work and now I'm in B2B marketing (I do a bit of actual marketing work but TBH my job is mostly fixing the stuff that doesn't work. Once you've been in the workplace for a while, your qualifications and the jobs you've done don't matter as much as what you've achieved and how you can use the skills an experience. 

I used to be worried about being made redundant and what I'd do, until I was talking to an acquaintance after a conference who said 'Why? If you wanted another job you could go out and find one tomorrow. There are loads of things you could do.' and then gave me several examples of vacancies in his own company that he thought I could walk into (paying more than I was earning at the time!).

My current job is challenging. It's very well paid but I work hard and have long, irregular hours. Travel is starting up again but unlikely ever to go back to 75-80%. My overall package isn't particularly competitive (average holidays & healthcare, crap pension, no paid sick leave) although HR are looking at changing it as the market is tough right now. But I (mostly) love the job. And earn enough that I can make up for the pension issues (and poor pension in previous, not nearly so well paid, roles). And hopefully can therefore get myself to the point where I have even more freedom to make decisions about what I actually want to do.

Have you thought about looking for a mentor? Or following up on some of the career webinars/courses on LinkedIn (talking of which, your network is invaluable for making vacancies visible, and also making you visible to prospective employers). 

edinburgher

@greenbee - I'd feel like I was wasting a mentor's time! I can always take a look at the Linkedin stuff of which you speak, but I am fairly sure I don't have a network. I realise that's two negative comments about myself. The one re. not having a network isn't me being self-pitying, it's because I've never been very good at keeping in touch with people after leaving jobs, i.e. not putting the effort in. I've done some skilled work over the years, but I'm definitely not a maven and tend to leave work at the door/behind the resignation letter.

Did a big weekly shop today as it's Valentine's Day tomorrow and I'd rather spend the evening with Mrs E and DD. Spent £105, which is a fortune for me, but it included some hefty items like 2kg of chicken breast fillets, 1/2 a bottle of champagne, a tiny bottle of cooking wine, all the ox cheek in the shop (inspired by @SuperSecretSquirrel) and some decaf coffee beans. Still got nearly £300 left of the grocery budget with only two shops to go! Also picked up some amazing smelling coffee beans from our local hipster place on Friday - matured in a Laphroaig barrel. Short grocery month February is so the rich cousin of miserable long grocery month January

Have signed up to a savings app called Chip that was mentioned on Monevator at the weekend. I should get a tenner for using Monevator's referral link and will then refer Mrs E so that we both get a further tenner. Doesn't appear to be any risk, basically pay in £1.01 and wait for 30 days, worth a shot?

greenbee

You're unlikely to waste a mentor's time - particularly if you need help for something specific such as working out career direction and options. 

As for LinkedIn, there's nothing to stop you spending some time updating your profile and starting to build your network. You don't have to 'keep in touch' with people you used to work with, that's the joy of LI. You can connect but don't need to interact unless you want to. 

savingholmes

I agree. Relatively easy to build a profile. I would make it a priority. You might even get headhunted

powerspowers

I’m nodding at your comments about being institutionalised in local gov, I do wonder that about myself and some of my colleagues! It’s a fairly big field though, you can have a career change and still be in the same organisation! I’ve just moved from a grim, front line management role to a more behind the scenes role in public health research as it suits me better. 

Good luck with the pondering, you don’t have to decide anything right now 🙂

Alchemilla

I am SO institutionalised, never left school!

I would love some top tips for linkedin. If Ed doesn't mind?

Zola.

I can vouch for Linkedin being a useful app for getting a new job. I updated some profile items and it massively helped me land a new job with a big pay increase, after feeling a little institutionalised from a previous job. It's the first place people go to to look you up. It's your digital CV basically, but with a network of people who can help you or connect you. Full of recruiters hungry for commission. 

There is a lot of sickening corporate boot lickers on there, but it definitely can be a useful tool!