MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Topender on February 05, 2014, 03:54:02 PM
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Hi I'm currently looking for work and I'm weighing up a career change. To what I don't know I just know I need a change and that is why I asked the question. I'm a Heavy Mobile Plant Mechanic and my last 3 jobs I've either ended up as Leading Hand and or Supervisor. I have worked on mine sites in the past and unfortunately for me most of the work out there is FIFO. I have moved on from that and I've been Perth based for a long time now and I'd like to keep it that way so my options are limited some what. I quit my last job just before Christmas to get away from the Owner/Boss from hell! and to regain my life and well being. I have the best wife in the world (she reminds me constantly) and although she is very supportive I can see the bank accounts going in the wrong direction and now is the time to get my A into G. So now the kids are back at school I have started to apply for jobs, but as in the past I can only assume people look at my résumé and either I'm not right for the job or too over qualified. My résumé is very good so I've been told.
I'm a very hands on person and love getting dirty and into a job. I really don't like the management side of things I like being on the floor, but it's hard to explain that in a cover letter and they just look at my previous positions and probably think why the hell does he want to be back on the tools. I love teaching the apprentices and would love to become a trainer or something like that one day. I have the issue of not getting to the interview stage and getting the chance to explain. Once in the interview I think from memory, of the say 10 or so interviews I had ever, I have been offered every job. I know how to sell my self in an interview anyway.
Basically I'm at the cross roads trying to decide do I just apply for the Leading hand/ Supervisor type roles again or change careers to something I will love or grow to love? I have contacts in the various industries I've worked in, but I'm too proud to use them. They may help me out, but I think I'd like a change the more I think about it. That's where you guys come in I hope.
Dave
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I have contacts in the various industries I've worked in, but I'm too proud to use them.
Don't be too proud, it is called networking. Leverage your network to find your next role. They will be the good roles that are not advertised. If a potential manager knows your capabilities you might even be offered a job that isn't advertised. I am speaking from experience as this is how I secured my new role.
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Send you resume out to all the local councils in your area, they should be able to use someone with your skills. I don't have a trade and it's one of my biggest regrets (one of, I've got a few ;D) so I'm stuck in my job until retirement (almost 26 years to go :D). The young bloke who live next door is working over on the new Roy Hill railway that Gina Rinehart's organisation is building. He's a cabinet maker by trade and reckons he's never go back to it.
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Don't be too proud, it is called networking. Leverage your network to find your next role. They will be the good roles that are not advertised. If a potential manager knows your capabilities you might even be offered a job you which isn't advertised. I am speaking from experience as this is how I secured my new role.
In the past I have used this and also followed managers to new companies, but I'm hesitant this time for some reason. I'm contemplating FIFO as a last resort again, but we will see. Like Dogsta has said Roy Hill is cranking up and there are plenty of positions available. With a bit of luck if I find the right company to go there with I might be able to change roles and or locations anyway.
Dave
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Don't be too proud, it is called networking. Leverage your network to find your next role. They will be the good roles that are not advertised. If a potential manager knows your capabilities you might even be offered a job that isn't advertised. I am speaking from experience as this is how I secured my new role.
Yep use your contacts, i use mine. im in construction of big LNG plants (Currently FIFO to WA) are you on Linkedin? there are sooo many hr people on there, hook up with them, explain your goals etc. I also use my contacts i have at various employment agencies that i have a good repaw with for when im looking for work.
As for a career change, im also going through that at the moment although ill still be in the construction industry because i love it, i will be going into a totally different role, so have just signed up for Uni for the next 7 years to get that degree i never got.
Good luck with whatever you end up doing.
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...are you on Linkedin? there are sooo many hr people on there, hook up with them, explain your goals etc.
Agreed, LinkedIn is the 21st century resume
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Go to your local library and grab a book called "What colour is your parachute". It's got a lot of very specific details about how to go about getting a job without the traditional way of responding to job adds. Seriously, get it. It will change your whole perception of how to look for jobs.
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Or online http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/ (http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/)
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It can be daunting changing careers but sometimes the best decision you ever make. You sound like you still like the industry just want a change within it. The other half had a change in roles within the same company years ago and now has a fairly diverse role they have put him through OHS courses and cert 4 trainer/assessor and so he delivers training within the company now also. He can post more on that if he wants to. Anyway perhaps you could find a position where they might be prepared to put you through that type of course so you can train the apprentices. I bet what they need is people with experience and patience to train them especially on the job training. I went from 15 years in child care to the last 2 years in the bank as a teller love my job. It was not a planned change but really did come up when I needed it the most I like the customer service side of things and there is always more things to learn there.
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I work on trailers, either restore them, from a rusty wreck to be usable again..
and lately building new trailers.
I just love trailers. who doesnt.
Peter,
iPad with IOS 7.0.4 using Tapatalk HD
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I'm an interstate camp chair courier.
Just love my job. Very satisfying.
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If you aren't getting to the interview stage then have a good look at your resume and your application style - if need be get one of the resume mobs to review it.
You don't need me to tell you the industry is slowing down, even though iron ore is still reasonably solid - now is the time to use your contacts, when things start to get tough you need all the help you can get.
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Im retired and I love it heaps
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I'm an interstate camp chair courier.
Just love my job. Very satisfying.
I think after certain posts on here your work might be pretty quiet for awhile not getting great customer reviews haha ;D
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Im retired and I love it heaps
Ditto!
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Well I know you are unlikely to follow my direction but you did ask.....
I went to uni and studied for the first time in 25 years to get my B. Nursing. I now work with people in a very busy surgical ward in a large trauma hopsital outside Sydney.
I love the fact that I can make a positive diference to someone's day. These people have sometimes had terrible news and big surgeries with long recovery periods in our ward (I'm talking months). It's fantastic seeing someone get better, little bit by little bit and just makes you realise there are so many "ordinary" people out there who are such lovely people.
When things don't go so well, it's our job as nurses to make sure their last days are as easy as we can make them and that they go in peace.
I have worked many jobs from working in a fish and chip shop to owning a pub in far west NSW. This is out and out the best job I have ever had.
My partner was made redundant last year and is also in the market, so I know what you are going through. Look outside your realm of work - you never know what you may end up doing. I had never even though of nursing until some randomly suggested it to me and all of a sudden I realised it was a great idea!
PS. I did my degree fulltime as a single parent of teenagers and worked three jobs to get me through, so life is very good now!
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What about looking outside the square, but, still in it, so to speak, what about owner operator of lighter equipment, you know the tonker toy 5 tonners and bobcats. You may not get the huge $$$ like from the mines(but you might be surprised at the rates you can get) but you can make a good living, every day is a new job, every day a new boss
Just a thought :cheers:
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I love my job on the 15th of every month...
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One thing I found that works quite well is to include a cover letter when I send a resume in.
In the letter you can address the selection criteria that the company list in the ad and you can also detail what you are like and what sort of things you would give to, and expect from the position and the company.
The other thing I do is tailor my CV for every job application to highlight my experience that is relevant to the position and get rid of the things that aren't.
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I L..... I Lo..... I Love (ah there I said it) my job at the moment, simply because I still have it. Work is laying off 30 positions this week.
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Work in an airline catering centre great team free food and parking.
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Being an interstate long haul driver..........i get paid to sightsee 8)
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Being an interstate long haul driver..........i get paid to sightsee 8)
And have innocent run-ins with small man syndrome motor cycle cops....!!
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And have innocent run-ins with small man syndrome motor cycle cops....!!
yep, i see you remembered that incident. :police:
funny you bring that up mate, had yet another run in with said Motorcycle officer just before xmas. tried to pin a traffic offence on me until his offsider & myself told him he was incorrect. :-\
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I love my job on the 15th of every month...
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X2
Swannie
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I work on trailers, either restore them, from a rusty wreck to be usable again..
and lately building new trailers.
I just love trailers. who doesnt.
Peter,
iPad with IOS 7.0.4 using Tapatalk HD
I love trailers too but don't own any. ;D
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I love my job.
I have a team of 18 and we support all the remote medical clinics in the Kimberly. That means having to travel to all those horrible places like the Tanaimi and up the Gibb and Cape Leveque even when it's raining and is terrible to get through. We get special permits to allows us to do that and if we can't drive we take a plane.
But the best part is we get to make a difference like so many others and that is the key.
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I loved my job so much that after 4 years I have resigned. 3 Weeks left and a couple of months to get sorted and get the house rented and we are off around this great country. Will look for work here and there and just take it as it comes. No time frame and just tick a few off the bucket list. :cheers:
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I used to love my job till I got promoted and got extra responsibilities and a lot more hours for a extra 5,000 a year :( I had it set before that but. No set hours, sort out my own work loads(if I wanted to do a 12 hour day and then take the next day off I could) never got speeding tickets(from cameras anyway) never had to go to the office unless there was a meeting and all I had to do was get my sites done by the end of the month...life was so nice and simple back then now it's just reports and assignments and half as many sites and a lot of office time
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I used to love my job till I got promoted and got extra responsibilities and a lot more hours for a extra 5,000 a year :( I had it set before that but. No set hours, sort out my own work loads(if I wanted to do a 12 hour day and then take the next day off I could) never got speeding tickets(from cameras anyway) never had to go to the office unless there was a meeting and all I had to do was get my sites done by the end of the month...life was so nice and simple back then now it's just reports and assignments and half as many sites and a lot of office time
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The joys of climbing that ladder.
I work for myself, have bugger all cash flow, but lifestyle is more relaxed. No boss over the shoulder.
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The joys of climbing that ladder.
I work for myself, have bugger all cash flow, but lifestyle is more relaxed. No boss over the shoulder.
I know lately it has had me thinking about getting back on the tools, at least then overtime is paid...the joys of salary. Might have to put some feelers back out there now it's picked back up again
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Thanks for all the responses so far. Small update of sorts although I am still living the dream. As suggested I stuck the feelers out so to speak and a buddy I ride and race bikes with(we don't talk shop much when we ride, we are usually unwinding for work or going so hard it is impossible to hold a conversation anyway) turns out is not just a manager at a company I'm interested in.......he is the CEO :cheers: and I have spent roughly 20 hours with him riding endurance K's in the last couple of weeks so we got "chatting" and they have work coming up and He now has my resume and he's emailed me a couple of times to keep me updated so we will see where that goes.
And........yesterday I got a call and went for and interview for a job with Qantas........don't laugh that is actually true! It went pretty well and is a fairly interesting job. Basically looking after ground support equipment etc. Tugs, baggage trolleys, platforms blah blah blah. Apparently it is an awesome job and people either die or retire from it so we will have to see how that goes too. It's full time casual which is a bit worrying though but pay is ok.
I'll try to keep you posted and as yet I'm still not sure of the direction to go, but funnily enough both jobs will be within 1Km of one another
Dave
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Ask & yee shell receive :cup:
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My work as a Paramedic is not only very rewarding from the help we can give to our patients and their families but also great as when I go to work at the beginning of my shift I have no idea where or what I May be doing for my day.
I am also lucky enough to be in a Team Leader role which allows me the opportunity to always have something to do and have to deal with eleven other staff making life always entertaining!
The other thing I enjoy is my shift work - 4 days on ,4 days off! My days on are two 10 hour days followed by two 14 hour nights. This gives me good work life balance so I can help art with the kids during the week at times or get away in the cameron camper at other times with the fam.
Great to hear you may have options in the new future Dave, I have nearly always been employed and would hate to have to be on the hunt for a new job today!
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Nearly 6 weeks ago I changed employment, from a self employed Chippy to being a Delivery Coordinator for Reece Plumbing Grafton.
It's a whole new lingo to learn & different plumbers call the same thing by a different name ???
I spend most days on the road, 300+k's.
Before getting behind the wheel of either their small truck(5Ton) or ute I ring our list of plumbers, take their orders, load their orders and then I'm off.
Their products range from Solar Water heater systems, PVC piping & fittings to copper piping, Water tanks, Septic tanks/trenching bathroom/kitchen/laundry fit outs and roofing.
I'm having a blast. ;D
I'm dealing tradies, contractors, builder, retail customers and enjoying it way too much ;D
Don't get home until nearly 6pm each night and work every second Saturday morning, but hey, we can live with that because it puts constant $$$$$ in my pocket ;D
:cheers:
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Hairs
lf you have a job you like then you will never work another day in your life . & they pay you as well BONAS :cup:
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Couldn't agree more mate,
That's the way I'm seeing it Jamie.
Happy Days ;D
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In my job I just love managing staff and looking after customers, life is just too easy atm.
I soooo much enjoy not having to deal with emotional people issues and psychotic customers like previous jobs I've had.
Btw, I'm a compulsive liar and turning into a GOB:-)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/28/sava4a4a.jpg)
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In my job I just love managing staff and looking after customers, life is just too easy atm.
I soooo much enjoy not having to deal with emotional people issues and psychotic customers like previous jobs I've had.
Btw, I'm a compulsive liar and turning into a GOB:-)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/02/28/sava4a4a.jpg)
Struth I was about to ask you for a job then! ;D
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I don't love my job but I do like the fact that I'm basically my own boss! ;) I'm a truckie and set my own time frame and liasion with the customer and that gives me a certain amount of control. The bloke I work for knows that, if I say no then I mean no and I can't do it. ;D
Foo
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I get to blow stuff up for a living!! Biggest Ive done is 345kg in one hit!!
I love it cause i guess i get to blow S*** up!!!
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I get to blow stuff up for a living!! Biggest Ive done is 345kg in one hit!!
I love it cause i guess i get to blow S*** up!!!
you're the man many of us wish we could be, fantastic
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SWMBO isn't to happy about it!!
Apparently i'm going deaf!!
Sorry...................
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SWMBO isn't to happy about it!!
Apparently i'm going deaf!!
Sorry...................
Ayh?
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What
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You gotta say it louder into my good ear
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You gotta say it louder into my good ear
I have a feeling there is no good ear!
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I have a feeling there is no good ear!
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or, there is nothing good to ear ere
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or, there is nothing good to ear ere
I ear ya , but not in wrong ear, only my right ear
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I ear ya , but not in wrong ear, only my right ear
I read ya loud and clear. i've had a hearing aid installed. Couldn't afford the real thing, so I just got a cheap copy one. Problem is I think they put it in the wong ear too!
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What exactly do you do Marvin ?