Message #67516

[gee4]

I hear you Rain but when faced with redundancy I never seem to be anywhere long enough, well not in the last few years anyway.

The problem is NI is very different from mainland UK and I ought to know as I lived in England for a few years.  NI bases a lot of emphasis on qualifications whereas I found in England, if you have the experience, you're in!

The companies that I have been successful enough to have gained employment in, seem welcoming as regards the qualifications I do have, but there is no such thing as professional development for admins, it's not seen as necessary.  When it comes to things like pay rises we are just given an average % with nothing to back up how that figure came about and therefore have to accept it.

I do believe having worked for some companies got me in the door to others but employers are narrow-minded in their thinking.  I have been turned down for positions because someone else had more experience or came from a similar background so I don't believe you can get your foot into every door - 9 times out of 10 it comes down to personality.

I have to say it's very sad when I have to report how sorry colleagues were to see me leave or move on to other jobs knowing my skill set has helped them out in the past.  Personally I think certain individuals are intimidated by the skills we hold rather than encouraging us to share these skills or assist others that we work with.

I have hit brick walls before with finding jobs that challenge me mentally and have yet to find one.  Some have had challenging aspects but not all have been busy.  If employers want good staff and for example hire me, why don't they do enough to keep me or re-assign me if I am more suited to another department?

What I want to do is work in event management but without qualifications in that field (and I have tried), I would have to take a huge cut in salary and go in as a junior admin.  I know my strengths as I do my weaknesses but unless they are noticed or the opportunity presents itself, the job hunting becomes rather difficult.

I fully believe I have been hired at times for the wrong reasons.  Yes I have the skills, but task me with something to put those skills to good use.

At this stage in my life, I reflect on that famous question asked at interviews...where do you see yourself in 5 year's time?  If only I was in a job long enough, I could answer it!