Almost 40 and desperately need help with new career..

dowie said:
But jobs shouldn’t be based on it, like if you need it then you go through the process to get it. It shouldn’t be a reason to hire someone.
Click to expand...
DV clearance can take 12 months. SC clearance can take 3. Companies sometimes need people ASAP. The government has changed the rules however, especially in the case of SC cleared roles so unless they need a candidate to start within something like 4 weeks, they have to accept applications from non-SC cleared applicants. Agencies however may still put a filter on top and say "SC cleared applicants only", even if the company hiring is willing to wait longer than 4 weeks.
These days it is easier to land SC cleared roles without having it already. Used to be the case that you had to already have it most of the time. Problem is, if someone fails it, that's lost time and £ so you can understand why they prefer you to either hold it, or held it before.
 
Last edited:
Naa the gravy train is still there, it's even harder to get now. It will probably derail eventually though.

If it's a public sector job you can often start before the clearance comes through (on the assumption that it will, if it's rejected your out). But for outsourced work many sites will not even let people on without it and they do check.
 
Last edited:
Nasher said:
Naa the gravy train is still there, it's even harder to get now. It will probably derail eventually though.

If it's a public sector job you can often start before the clearance comes through (on the assumption that it will, if it's rejected your out). But for outsourced work many sites will not even let people on without it and they do check.
Click to expand...
Might have changed now but it varied for me. Some government contracts I had to wait for either the clearance to be granted or transferred. Others had to have someone escort me everywhere even though they knew I held it but until it was transferred to them. Going for a no 2 with someone outside waiting was not fun :p.
Was some good interesting work. Lips are always sealed tho :P
 
Last edited:
Depends on what is on the site. If there is sensitive stuff there you might need to be escorted in case you decide to go exploring :D

For secret and above it's still "need to know", even for people with DV. After the whole Snowdon and wikileaks thing they started to take it more seriously.
 
Last edited:
FoxEye said:
Public sector here. You can't get north of £30k without being a manager. You could be the bestest developer or security expert evah, you still aren't getting >£30k without going down the management route.
Click to expand...

I don't think you're looking hard enough:-

https://careers.dwp.gov.uk/vacancy/lead-and-senior-site-reliability-engineers/
https://careers.dwp.gov.uk/vacancy/senior-data-engineer-big-data-developer/
https://careers.dwp.gov.uk/vacancy/data-engineer-big-data-developer/
https://careers.dwp.gov.uk/vacancy/it-operations-analyst/

First four vacancies I found.
 
Diddums said:
Always a pleasure boet, nou gaan ek lekker braai ;)
Click to expand...
Did someone say BBQ?

Nice one Diddums, it shows how great this forum is when it's needed, as well as all the daft banter that goes on in here! 15 years i've been here now and i probably will be for another 15 or longer lol!
 
FoxEye said:
Public sector here. You can't get north of £30k without being a manager. You could be the bestest developer or security expert evah, you still aren't getting >£30k without going down the management route.

Not sure if that's all public sector but it's 100% true where I am (local council).
Click to expand...

amigafan2003 said:
I don't think you're looking hard enough:-

https://careers.dwp.gov.uk/vacancy/lead-and-senior-site-reliability-engineers/
https://careers.dwp.gov.uk/vacancy/senior-data-engineer-big-data-developer/
https://careers.dwp.gov.uk/vacancy/data-engineer-big-data-developer/
https://careers.dwp.gov.uk/vacancy/it-operations-analyst/

First four vacancies I found.
Click to expand...
I'm not looking at all. The original post I responded to said "public sector" was the route to "big money", before it was edited to swap "public sector" for "defence".

I know you like to score points, but you didn't even quote my whole post, just the bit that meant you could "win" the argument.

Where I work (public sector), you cannot earn more than ~£30k (it's graded) unless you have management responsibilities.

My last line was, "Not sure if that's all public sector but it's 100% true where I am (local council)." Thanks for playing.
 
FoxEye said:
I'm not looking at all. The original post I responded to said "public sector" was the route to "big money", before it was edited to swap "public sector" for "defence".

I know you like to score points, but you didn't even quote my whole post, just the bit that meant you could "win" the argument.

Where I work (public sector), you cannot earn more than ~£30k (it's graded) unless you have management responsibilities.

My last line was, "Not sure if that's all public sector but it's 100% true where I am (local council)." Thanks for playing.
Click to expand...

Wow, bit defensive there chap.
 
Diddums said:
Send me your CV, I'll have a look and put you in touch with some folks, I know some fairly well and the industry is screaming for staff at the moment. You'll have to edit it to really, really emphasize your history in handy stuff but you'll have a job in no time. I started at £25k 10 years ago and now earn double that, as long as you're willing and keen there are many morons' heads to stand on to get a leg up.
Click to expand...

This is community spirit, right here! :)
 
@keenan I've sent you an email, but please send me your number. I spoke to my guy who's got a handyman role going for £25k at the moment, but we need to move quick.
 
Diddums said:
@keenan I've sent you an email, but please send me your number. I spoke to my guy who's got a handyman role going for £25k at the moment, but we need to move quick.
Click to expand...

Thanks Diddums, sorry for the late reply. I was sleeping and just got up as I'm doing overtime tonight. On my way to work now, but just replied to your email.
 
FoxEye said:
The original post I responded to said "public sector" was the route to "big money", before it was edited to swap "public sector" for "defence".

Where I work (public sector), you cannot earn more than ~£30k (it's graded) unless you have management responsibilities.

My last line was, "Not sure if that's all public sector but it's 100% true where I am (local council)." Thanks for playing.
Click to expand...

I understand what you're a saying, in that permanent roles can't earn big bucks without management responsibility. I know this too, being in a permanent defence role myself. The problem you're having is that you didn't fully understand what he was saying.

Let's read it again:
Nasher said:
Get in a job in defence, get trained up, get the security clearance and the contacts. That is how people get paid loads of money working IT contracts.
Click to expand...

He's specifically talking about working in defence (the wider public sector does also use contractors) as a route to making big money working IT contracts. The difference between the permanent salaries and the annual income of the contractors I know - working in identical roles in the same teams as permanent equivalents - is in the order of a 50-100% increase.
 
There are down sides as well I should mention :p Civil service jobs are one of the more secure ones and you do get perks. Plus from what I experienced it's a far more relaxed environment, once you reach the middle ranks you're expected to manage yourself and get on with it. As long as you are, no one bothers you. Personally I prefer a less stressful environment to more money, but that's just me.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom