Forgot how bad job searching was :(
- Thread starter Delvis
- Start date
That's fantastic, well done
All the best to you!!!
Thanks mate! Just got to wait the contracted 3 month notice period out, train the new starter when they are appointed, and write user guides for all the reporting tools that I have developed.
Look for a bog standard first line entry job? Or IT Assistant?
I started off building PC's, then testing etc.
I then got a random IT Support job starting at 18k, so it can be done, you just need to show that you are good at troubleshooting.
Around 10 years ago I applied with zero experience for a crappy IT support job for a family-run business, based on the fact I had been building PC's since I was a kid. Worked there for 3 months before being made redundant, then found a support job at an anti-virus company. From there I applied for a support job in a major professional services company where after 1.5 years I was offered a 6 month placement abroad, which then turned permanent. From there I moved internally from IT support into IT audit with a huge pay rise and increase in career prospects, and have been going strong ever since.
It all starts somewhere, and luck has only a small part to play, it is the strength of you as a person and how you sell yourself that really matters.
Man of Honour
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I think the luck factor depends on the company you're with. My first two IT Support jobs had no real scope for progression other than if staff above me left, which never happened. I worked those two jobs for a combined 15 years without a promotion, though my role did change over the years. After being made redundant at my last job, I started my current role as a 2nd line tech 4 months ago. In that time the 2 IT managers above me have left, so from Monday they are finishing my probation early and promoting me to IT Manager, looking after the entire network and the 3 support staff who will be under me. Hard work got me into the situation where I had the knowledge and skills to do the role, but I got lucky in that the guys above me have both left giving me the chance to take on that responsibility. Now I just need to not screw up!
Argh.
Had my pay showdown discussion with our Finance Director today after complaining that I was drastically underpaid after a complete redesign of my entire job role and a whole heap more responsibility placed on me. They've done their own benchmarking and apparently I'm at the very bottom end of the benchmark but I'm just about in it so they are not prepared to offer me any more money as it is not within the budget.
Effectively I'm being asked to fully lead the financial reporting aspect of a USD 100m project replacing all of our key systems over the next 4 years for no extra money. I'm not remotely happy with this and it is time for me to make a move. I've had my CV out there with an agency for a few months - they've put me forward for a few roles but I've not had any interest. I think my CV needs a professional rework, I'm confident that if I get an interview I should come across well enough to stand a decent chance at the sort of roles I'm looking at, but clearly my CV is not demonstrating this.
I know that professional CV writing services have been pretty maligned here previously - but has anybody had a good experience with one and would recommend them?
Had my pay showdown discussion with our Finance Director today after complaining that I was drastically underpaid after a complete redesign of my entire job role and a whole heap more responsibility placed on me. They've done their own benchmarking and apparently I'm at the very bottom end of the benchmark but I'm just about in it so they are not prepared to offer me any more money as it is not within the budget.
Effectively I'm being asked to fully lead the financial reporting aspect of a USD 100m project replacing all of our key systems over the next 4 years for no extra money. I'm not remotely happy with this and it is time for me to make a move. I've had my CV out there with an agency for a few months - they've put me forward for a few roles but I've not had any interest. I think my CV needs a professional rework, I'm confident that if I get an interview I should come across well enough to stand a decent chance at the sort of roles I'm looking at, but clearly my CV is not demonstrating this.
I know that professional CV writing services have been pretty maligned here previously - but has anybody had a good experience with one and would recommend them?
Associate
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- 21 Nov 2007
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- Fleet, Hampshire
Rids - to play Devil's advocate for a minute. If this responsibility you mention is new to you would it not be a good thing to have on your CV for the future. In a lot of organisations when you take on a new role you have to do it for a while before you get the financial recognition. Think of it as investing in yourself.
I did this for about 2 years and right about the point I was thinking of looking around I got a promotion and a £30k pay rise. This never would have happened had I not showed my capabilities during the period I considered myself underpaid.
Now I don't know your company and your unique circumstances but unless you could get something doing the same at something closer to the median market rate based on your current experience I would consider sticking with it for a while to get it on your CV.
I did this for about 2 years and right about the point I was thinking of looking around I got a promotion and a £30k pay rise. This never would have happened had I not showed my capabilities during the period I considered myself underpaid.
Now I don't know your company and your unique circumstances but unless you could get something doing the same at something closer to the median market rate based on your current experience I would consider sticking with it for a while to get it on your CV.
I do understand what you are saying - and this experience would look fantastic on my CV. However its one bitten twice shy with this company. In 2014 we lost one of our most senior members of staff whos salary was 2.5x my own. I took on about 50% of his workload with the other 50% being split amongst other members of the team. I did not receive any extra money for that, and when this years pay review came around I was only given 3%. I also didn't receive the annual bonus that I had come to expect, despite a glowing review from both my line manager and the finance director. The company also had a very strong year.
The project I am being asked to take on was originally meant to be going to my line manager, paid twice what I am. He has decided to leave the company for opportunity's elsewhere and the only person with the skill set and the relationships with the teams to take this on is me. I'm quite literally the only choice, if I do not do this they will have the split the work amongst at least two other people.
I am not asking for a huge rise to do this - £3k would have done it, £5k I would have been delighted with. Considering the work was supposed to be going to somebody paid £80k+ I don't think I'm asking for too much.
There is also a lot of uncertainty here at the moment - if I was sure of a future at the company then I'd probably not be as focused on the short term. We currently have two offices, our head office in Manchester is where 90% of the back-office tasks take place. We then have our London sales office which has the Financial Reporting function attached to it. The lease on our London office is up in 2 years time, and all vital management functions are slowly being transferred to Manchester. I fear that no matter how well I perform in the role I'll be out the door in 2 years so will never reap the financial rewards.
The project I am being asked to take on was originally meant to be going to my line manager, paid twice what I am. He has decided to leave the company for opportunity's elsewhere and the only person with the skill set and the relationships with the teams to take this on is me. I'm quite literally the only choice, if I do not do this they will have the split the work amongst at least two other people.
I am not asking for a huge rise to do this - £3k would have done it, £5k I would have been delighted with. Considering the work was supposed to be going to somebody paid £80k+ I don't think I'm asking for too much.
There is also a lot of uncertainty here at the moment - if I was sure of a future at the company then I'd probably not be as focused on the short term. We currently have two offices, our head office in Manchester is where 90% of the back-office tasks take place. We then have our London sales office which has the Financial Reporting function attached to it. The lease on our London office is up in 2 years time, and all vital management functions are slowly being transferred to Manchester. I fear that no matter how well I perform in the role I'll be out the door in 2 years so will never reap the financial rewards.
Heard back from 2 jobs this week, was rejected from one for a trainee modeller at an environmental consultancy firm without even being offered an interview or feedback and the other, a graduate transportation planner at an engineering firm stated that I came across very well at the interview but have decided that I'm not right for the role.
Not too disheartened, was quite surprised I even got an interview for the engineering firm, and it being my first job interview in 8 years and my first one after graduating I'm glad they said I did well.
I've also just applied for a Graduate Management Trainee at a waste and recycling company which will hopefully result in at least an interview.
Not too disheartened, was quite surprised I even got an interview for the engineering firm, and it being my first job interview in 8 years and my first one after graduating I'm glad they said I did well.
I've also just applied for a Graduate Management Trainee at a waste and recycling company which will hopefully result in at least an interview.
Associate
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- Darwen
Trying to get info for my father.
He has been out of work for 3 months but has potentially scored himself a job after being called back for second interview.
The problem is that the wages are monthly paid, I don't have much to spare but I will help where I can but how is he expected to last a month without pay or benefits?
I know he can get a 4 week run on with housing benefit but that doesn't buy his dinners or bus fares to work.
Is there no job center fund that can help him?
I tried ringing and they wont deal with me, I asked my father to ring and they only told him about the discretionary fund that can help with 'expenses' like interview clothes and such.
I looked up the Social Fund but that could take a month in itself from application to payment assuming they accept it.
He has been out of work for 3 months but has potentially scored himself a job after being called back for second interview.
The problem is that the wages are monthly paid, I don't have much to spare but I will help where I can but how is he expected to last a month without pay or benefits?
I know he can get a 4 week run on with housing benefit but that doesn't buy his dinners or bus fares to work.
Is there no job center fund that can help him?
I tried ringing and they wont deal with me, I asked my father to ring and they only told him about the discretionary fund that can help with 'expenses' like interview clothes and such.
I looked up the Social Fund but that could take a month in itself from application to payment assuming they accept it.