I dont't like my job and don't know what to do........

Hi! You sound like me, I could have written this and I have been in my job for 7 years!!! What I have done is put my CV to agencies (at the moment they seem to be struggling with job opportunities), I check the papers, online companies which are local to me as well as the NHS, Council, s1 jobs and I apply for everything that matches my skills. I do find though that several companies want a whole list of skills/qualifications and want to pay you very little which is so depressing!

I totally understand how you feel! Do you have any other skills/trades? Do you work for a private company?

Xxx

Thank you for your replies.

i work in construction, always have done and from the calls im getting from agencies it feels like i could be stuck in construction.

I have made a plan over the next few days to research the companies near where i live and send them a letter with my CV.

I dont have a degree from university so my highest qualification is A levels.

I chat to H2B almost every evening about how im feeling, hes pretty good at spotting when im not happy about things

I sometimes think that experience has to count too and not just qualifications, I have qualifications but it gets me nowhere. It's an employee's market as they have so many applicants for 1 job, don't get down on yourself and hopefully you will find something you enjoy xxx

I am going to make a weird suggestion although I suspect pay would be less but maybe look at schools admin wise. Schools are very good at developing their staff and there is a potential to move sideways. There are three or four people who started off with A levels and have done part time degrees via the school. One of them started as a TA straight out of school, he ended up doing a degree became a teacher, got onto the senior leadership team and is now an assistant head. There are two admin staff who did degrees while working at the school I work at. If a school thinks you are suitable they will appoint and train up. We have admin people who have ended up working in finance within the school too.

I know how you feel.

Try the NHS too, they're good to work for and wages are good

I had something similar in my old job. I suffered badly from PTSD because of a work situation & like clockwork on a Sunday afternoon I would be unconsolable because I knew I would have to go to work the next day so I have an inkling of how you may feel.

It sounds like your going the right things & exploring all you can. It'll take time but you will find a new job.

Please don't feel down.

i dropped out of college (twice) so have no real qualifications, I worked in retail from 16-21 then got a job in a bank for 6 months and hated it. I got a job in estate agency and did that for 3 years (during the recession), it sucked the life out of me and I was working long hours. I made the decision I wanted a Mon-Fri, 9-5 and got a job at the council as an administrator for a team, within 6 months I started 'acting up' in to a higher role within the team and 6 months later I got the (higher grade) job permanently. I did that role for another 2 years and then got brave enough to start applying for jobs at a higher grade- I managed to get 1 and have been doing it now for almost 2 years, the pay rise I got was my wedding fund and it enabled us to have our dream wedding and still live the way we were used to (going on holidays, out with friends etc). I never dreamt that I would be in the position I am managing staff and making decisions, don't get me wrong I'm not a head of department but I make a difference and I matter. If anyone had told me that I would be where I am now when I left the estate agents I would've laughed at them.

I guess what I'm trying to say is don't beat yourself up! Administrators are the people that keep organisations running, you need to believe in yourself and take yourself out of your comfort zone; your skills are transferable to another industry. Don't beat yourself up you have a job so look at job hunting as a hobby rather then a chore; be relaxed and concise at interviews and you will shine :-)

I think their response to you is disgraceful - too much training indeed - do they not see the benefits for them? makes me so so angry!

You deffo need to get into somewhere/something different. You need to focus on what skills you have and which of these are transferable. Could you do some home-based training to broaden your skills? There's lots of online courses, Open University do a range of things. Have you considered doing something totally different, ie outside of Admin.

Don't rely on agencies, they have so many people on their books they won't have you in the forefront of their minds. Think of places you might like to work - even if it's just a temporary thing to add to your CV, and look at what vacancies they have online. Be proactive and send your CV to all and sundry, even taking it to places that particularly catch your eye.

You've set your first criterion which is to work closer to home, so see which businesses are close that you think you could work for and send them your CV. You need to put yourself in their sight and really sell yourself. Call them, go and see them. Don't be afraid to try something totally new though. Often people find their true vocation when they take a total change. You might also need to think about what money you'd able to drop to. Less money is worth it ifor your health and happiness.

Try the Civil Service - it's not what it was, but Civil Service Jobs lists all the jobs that are open to external recruitment. You will at least get a commitment to training and devlopment.....Similarly your Local Authority and Health Service could have something that suits. You tend to get better commmitment to training and development with public sector than some private sector that still seems entrenched in the middle ages.

Hope that helps and wishing all the luck in the world. It's awful to be so unhappy at work.

Thank you everyone for your comments.

Pammy67 – I was really angry too. I’ve tried to do an open university course, but i found it really difficult to study at home by myself, I ended up so far behind and found getting to the tutorial sessions hard so I didn’t continue it.

I did at one stage a while ago consider doing something with my photography hobby but nothing came of that. More recently I’ve had all sorts of crazy wild ideas floating around my head from opening a bridal shop to running a bar! I wouldn’t have a clue where to start on either of them!!!

Miss R – thank you, your are right that administrators are key people in the organisation as when I have a day off this office goes to pot!! Hahah!!

I did break down and cry last night; I think I just needed to get it out of my system. H2B and I have made a plan for tomorrow to spend the afternoon looking up companies near home and easy ish to get by public transport as we only have one car. Then I will send them CV with a nice covering letter.

Just a little update, that i have an interview after work this evening.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me!!

Fantastic, good luck! Is it in construction or a different industry?

Slightly different - its a design studio for furniture

Ooh, good for you! Good luck, and don't forget that even if you don't get it, its brilliant experience.

Hiya,

It's never too late to change your occupation or your career path, I've done at least 5 major changes of careers in my life, starting off after leaving college to be a legal secretary, then I got married and had two kids, went back to work as a part time cashier in a building society and worked my way up until I was a mortgage consultant and managed my own branch. Then at the age of 40 I received some information (the source of which I will reveal if you are interested) and I started my training as an Operating Department Practitioner being a mum, housewife and student at the same time and again worked my way up until I was a Team Leader Assistant. (equivalent to a Sister's post) and now I have my own business which I started three years ago at the ripe old age of 53. As I say to my kids, the world is your oyster, you have to go out there and get it, but it is your oyster. I never started this post to wax lyrical about me, I was just trying to say, don't get disheartened, be brave and try something new.

Kind regards Bev.

Wishing you lots of luck!

Only just caught up on this but wanted to pop by and say good luck for your interview.

It's all about transferable skills, remember that. I went from managing a beauty salon to being a property manager (via starting off doing admin for a managing agent) and whilst it's a completely different job, I transferred my customer service skills which have helped me in my new role.

Will keep my fingers crossed for u.

Good luck - let us know how you get on Xx

I completely agree with Pammy67. You would have thought they would have liked your get up and go as well as your initiative. Maybe they are too lazy to help develop you? I think you should apply like the others have said to companies that help train and develop their staff. For example a friend of mine works for a university and they are paying for him to do a degree part time. Good luck for the interview!

Morning all,

Thank you so much for the good luck wishes and messages.

I feel it went quite well, lasted over an hour and one of the people interviewing me, walked back to the train station with me so we carried on talking about the job. Although this did make me feel slightly awkward and I tend to walk quite fast and wanted to listen to some music, but it was ok.

I should find out if I am successful by the end of the week and if I dont get it, it will be valuable interview experience as I dont have much of that under my belt!

xx

Sounds really positive, good on you for plucking up the courage to go for it. Onwards and upwards now!

Only just seen yesterday's update- well done you for stepping outside your comfort zone. Fingers crossed

x