Not sure what to do... (work/job/education)

sigma · 12 Jul 2020 at 22:11

fretted said:
34 is not old when you consider that you could still have 30+ years of working life ahead of you. Better to find a job you like to do for the majority of that (with inflationary beating pay rises) else it will be a tough road ahead

That's exactly what I was going to say. Even if it takes 5 years (which I doubt it would) to make the target salary in a new area that will still leave 25+ years of working in it...

malachi · 12 Jul 2020 at 22:37

34 may not be old but you be in for a shock how fast time goes, you wake up one day and you are 40 then 45 then 50.

Always good to make a job change ASAP instead of waiting too long.

McstylisT · 13 Jul 2020 at 09:53

25k is not a lot on money matey.

Aim higher, think bigger and keep adding to your list of skills. You will get your break.

swillsy · 13 Jul 2020 at 10:23

Definitely not too late to turn it around dude so don't worry!!

However looking at your location you may want to think about major changes- move somewhere with better prospects as Newark is a retirement home (I grew up in Grantham)

Do not do any qualifications which involves paying lots of cash for some paper you may not use as you'll just be taking on debt. You can do lots of self study and just pay for exams which isn't expensive and looks just as good as the guys who pay 3-4k for a qualification and sit on service desks. However companies are looking for the right person for them so just spam interviews for the jobs you want (in a better location) and you'll get your chance - don't wait to be "qualified"

randomshenans · 13 Jul 2020 at 13:14

You should easily be able to get more than 25k with that level of experience. The issue you have now is, having been in one position for so long and not moved up at all, will likely raise some questions; why? That said, you should be able to get a support role for more than 25k, within an organisation that has more scope for development. That's what I'd be looking for. I'd not even bother with certs at this point, I'd apply for some jobs and see what happens first.

malachi · 13 Jul 2020 at 13:52

randomshenans said:
You should easily be able to get more than 25k with that level of experience. The issue you have now is, having been in one position for so long and not moved up at all, will likely raise some questions; why? That said, you should be able to get a support role for more than 25k, within an organisation that has more scope for development. That's what I'd be looking for. I'd not even bother with certs at this point, I'd apply for some jobs and see what happens first.

I never make the same mistake again and stay in the same job for 9 years and not move anywhere. I haven't been asked this question in interviews before but you end up asking yourself why anyway.