What should I do with my life?

[JustABitLost]

Hi all... Sorry for the essay....
I'm looking for advice and suggestions..

I'm rapidly approaching 40 and its time I earned a decent wage again.
In my late teens, I worked in the pub trade and got to the point where I could have had my own pub.
Then I met my ex and.... It wasn't the life she wanted.
So I did other jobs instead.

I've had many over the years, mostly around retail and sales.
I've been low level management and the person at the bottom.

But. I'm currently stuck in a complete rut.
The job I'm currently in, I took to fill a gap, when both myself and my ex were made redundant at the same time. It was a pay cut, and a demotion.. But we needed the money and it was easy for me to get a position.

I work in a callcentre as just a normal, run of the mill bod.
I'd worked in a call centre previously, and within 2 years there, I was on track for a management position (but left to help the ex's family business).

The job I took as a stop gap, I've now been in for six years (because of external pressures.. I'm not getting into that here).
There have been zero prospects for the last four years, even though its a huge firm. I was doing well but when I moved to another department things just plateaued.

I stuck it out, because we needed the money, but when my ex and I seperated, my work suffered (for a few months) at the start of the year. Although things are back on track now, work were not supportive at all. I was hung out to dry.
Now, I feel totally unappreciated.

Also over the last year, I've become jaded about sales.
I'm still a great salesman, but I just can't get enthused about the products we offer and work don't help themselves. We are no longer paid for sales and the approach now taken is sell, or be sacked...
And all this, for less than £17k a year...

I need a change, but simply can't decide on a direction.
It's seems everything is either more of the same (but under a different name), high pressure sales, products I couldn't care less about, long distance work or simply paid less...

I need a direction..
I don't have a degree, nor can I afford to study for one in the near term.
I want a job, where I'll be valued, where hard work is rewarded.
And.. Dare I say it... A job people would think worthwhile.. I'm sick of being hated.

Suggestions people?

[scarlettsmummy2]

Recruitment consultant?

[JustABitLost]

Thank you..
goes to see what that would involve ;)

[givemeaclue]

Account manager/executive
Sales support
Marketing assistant
Retail with a good company with prospects
Customer service manager

[freddybanana]

I think you need to be a certain type of person to be in sales!

I think you might be better off working in a large organisation (i.e. local government, NHS) where there are lots of lower level opportunities so it is easier to start a job and move up in gradual increments. So many organisations are top heavy these days (i.e. lots of chiefs and few indians).

Couple of jobs that spring to mind...
Facilities management
HR admin
Postman
Customer services
Bank clerk
Restaurant manager

[diddlediddledumpling]

Have you thought about going back to the pub trade?

[JustABitLost]

I have considered going back into a pub, but its an industry that has practically imploded...
And the hours are still horrific...

[MrsMiniversCharlady]

Have you thought about anything in healthcare? Lots of people in their 30s retrain to work in NHS. There are no fees to pay on most healthcare courses as they're funded by the NHS, you may well get a bursary and you'd certainly be earning more than you get now. I'm an ODP which I trained to do relatively recently alongside people from lots of different backgrounds and experience. You can progress up the ladder and although I do shift work, it's certainly better than pub hours! I get a huge amount of job satisfaction and I can honestly say I love my job.

[Pidgy]

Was also going to suggest Health care.
What about patient transport? Potential for management role after you have experience and prove yourself. Not sure if it can eventually lead to paramedic, but I believe you now need a degree to start the training for this.
Worthwhile and you get to really add value (if you want) by working and chatting with old and/or vulnerable and/or lonely people.