Are there any specialists working in recruitment / careers on the forum ?

Bogwhoppit

Where can you go for real life advice- however unpalatable - on the employability of someone who has age and health stacked against them. 

 

Phil_aka_Pip

given the rep of recruitment consultants around here I'd be surprised that if there were any here, they'd own up to it

Handsome_Chris

Recruitment consultants and agencies are human filth.  From personal experience I believe that they prey on a peoples' misery and desperation.

From chatting to a person who has had the benefit of their services, he said that they are generally useless. They will harvest CVs, and then usually fail to send the best candidates.  I have tailored CVs to target advertised jobs, and been told that I was not suitable.

All, but one, of the job interviews I have attended - including the one I accepted the offer for - I got by applying directly.  The one interview I went for that I attended that a recruitment specialist got me, total mismatch.

@Bogwhoppit, where are you and what can you do? Who have you considered working for? You see age as a negative, I see life experience asa positive.

Phil_aka_Pip

@Bogwhoppit

may I suggest not even mentioning age or health. well, not until it becomes an issue and certainly not until well after you've hooked an employer with your main selling point: what you can do for him. which, natch, you have to tune to his (perceived) needs. Find out as much as you can about what he thinks he wants, then maximise the presentation of your skill set and experience to match what he thinks he wants, so that he not only thinks he wants you, but that he needs you. Then, when he's decided that he needs you, he will be willing to find ways around health problems, and maybe he'll even start thinking "this guy is too good to put out to grass at standard retirement age, I could keep him for a bit longer if he's up for it and it'll delay me having to train someone else".

Bogwhoppit

In 2009 I was diagnosed with cancer aged 49, I could either sit back and die, or fight. I decided to undertake a 2nd degree in History while I underwent treatment. I graduated this year with a 2:1 Hon's. So my work record from 2009 is that of a student with no work experience. To date I'm clear of cancer - pending my yearly check up this December.

I have since started a part-time MA, however, in the three years it will take, I'll be 58. So I'm considering trying to get a job as a small cog in a large wheel (local government perhaps as a pen pusher).

Prior to 2009 I was mainly a working musician and studio engineer (both audio and electronics). I worked as a medical electronics engineer for five years on the back of my college electronics training and also saw action in other companies as a board level analogue and digital field engineer.  Most of which is now redundant due to new technology.  I also hold a foundation degree in technology and machine code programming ( Z80 lol ). Once again redundant technology.

All I want, is a small regular job that doesn't involve stacking shelves, so I can get off this study treadmill. I don't expect to be in a career position, but don't fancy being an over qualified counter assistant.

 

My key concern is that I'm a middle aged graduate (now 55) with the potential to die on the job, or at the very least may have to take a few days of a year for hospital check-ups.

 

<Loyd Grossman mode>  Who would employ someone like that ?

jellyroll

@Bogwhoppit these comments are given in a spirit of trying to help:

Reading your last post my reaction is that you are defeating yourself with your own negativity. You've beaten cancer! You've shown strength and courage and god knows what other positive characteristics. You should convey that in your attitude to employers. I understand that you are perhaps trying to manage your own expectations, but if you are not positive and confident going into the application process, you are severely limiting your chances of success. You're a strong, talented guy.....sell yourself!

dchwhite

I'm probably the last person on the forum who should offer advice on this subject, but - are there any openings at the University you're studying at, or any of the local institutions? Most of the ones I've worked at are happy to have people who are ostensibly 'over-qualified' in all sorts of roles.

If it's of any use, I can paste up the bookmarks I already have for vacancies at the local places - if not, good luck with whatever you decide

roundthebend

I work in Peterborough. I'm going to speak to my HR colleagues to see what we can do. At the least they might be able to offer you some advice and work experience. But I'm hopeful they can do more than that. PM me if you want to talk in more detail.

Iamnobody

Wow. I think you have a lot to offer.

Could you see yourself in some type of youth worker/mentor job?

It sounds like you have experienced a lot of life's challenges in the workplace, education and health problems to boot!

Failing that you could get back out on the road as a motivational speaker.

Handsome_Chris

@Bogwhoppit, you've beaten cancer, and yet you're afraid of dieing on the job. Fk that, you're a fking legend.

At times I can't believe the amount of entitlement there is on this forum, but for once I am going to say this: 

THINK OF WHAT THE WORLD OWES YOU.

You've give life a lot. You deserve a bit back.  You are, believe it or not, an inspirational character.  You've done something a lot of people haven't.  Not only have you beat cancer, you went and got a degree while doing it too.  Legend!

Bogwhoppit

Cheers for the support guys. I've yet to compose a CV as I have a major assignment due in which requires some urgent attention. 

@roundthebend , any advice would be really welcome - especially direct from an HR dept.

musteatbrain

Bogwhoppit said:

any advice would be really welcome - especially direct from an HR dept.

@Bogwhoppit That would be me. I'm moving house at the moment and have limited email access. PM your details and I'll get in touch outside the forum.

Drew_TNBD

Bogwhoppit said:

In 2009 I was diagnosed with cancer aged 49, I could either sit back and die, or fight. I decided to undertake a 2nd degree in History while I underwent treatment. I graduated this year with a 2:1 Hon's. So my work record from 2009 is that of a student with no work experience. To date I'm clear of cancer - pending my yearly check up this December.

I have since started a part-time MA, however, in the three years it will take, I'll be 58. So I'm considering trying to get a job as a small cog in a large wheel (local government perhaps as a pen pusher).

Prior to 2009 I was mainly a working musician and studio engineer (both audio and electronics). I worked as a medical electronics engineer for five years on the back of my college electronics training and also saw action in other companies as a board level analogue and digital field engineer.  Most of which is now redundant due to new technology.  I also hold a foundation degree in technology and machine code programming ( Z80 lol ). Once again redundant technology.

All I want, is a small regular job that doesn't involve stacking shelves, so I can get off this study treadmill. I don't expect to be in a career position, but don't fancy being an over qualified counter assistant.

 

My key concern is that I'm a middle aged graduate (now 55) with the potential to die on the job, or at the very least may have to take a few days of a year for hospital check-ups.

 

<Loyd Grossman mode>  Who would employ someone like that ?

That's excellent dude. Congrats!