To think he can make a drastic career change now?

[Namechangedfforthis]

Name changed for this.
I am posting here for traffic as I am worried and can't stop thinking. DH works in retail and has a nice salary and position. As its retail job, it involves too much physical work though which takes it toll and he doesn't look like he is coping well. He went into retail from pharma, having been a sales rep there (2 years; great pharma company). He graduated in Microbiology and Biochemistry. Then MBA (marketing). He wants to make the transition again. He is the one bringing in the money right now. We depend on it and don't qualify for benefits etc either. We have two DCs (under 4). I am SAHP right now though planning to get back to work now. We don't want him to earn significantly less than what he is earning now because we can't afford that even if I start job quickly (I will be able to tart part time and then I will take it from there). He has a large team reporting to him right now (around 200 or so) if that's relevant but we think his chances of going to the next level in this same job are slimmer than we thought they would be. Specially if we want a work life balance.
My AIBU is this. I don't think it is reasonable until I secure a good contract and find myself doing a stable job. He is undecisive. We also do not know what will his current experience / skills make him suitable for. I mean in the health sciences related industries.
This is very stressful. We both want to reach a middle ground but can't decide.
I really appreciate if you have read this far. Thanks xx

[FuckSanta]

(I will be able to tart part time and then I will take it from there)

[Namechangedfforthis]

Fucksanta
Sorry if I miss something obvious. Didn't get what you are pointing out there ? I meant to say that I will start part time and settle kids into that routine and then see how it goes. As it's going o take some time, as a couple we can't count on anything that hasn't materialised yet (job offer for me I mean).

[RJnomore1]

I think it was a joke - you missed the s - you're tarting part time?

[Namechangedfforthis]

Oh 😣 I think I am too stressed to get any joke right now.

[FuckSanta]

Sorry - made me giggle.

[NewLife4Me]

It's up to him, i'm afraid.
in this instance there is no we but he.
Obviously though you do need to agree on a way forward from his decision.
Could you move to a cheaper area, downsize, use savings, remortgage if need be?

Can you find ft work to support his decision? Can he find the job he wants and, start the job and take it from there.

It sounds like you either need a lifestyle change or both to work ft for a while.

I would say this if it were reversed btw, although tarting may earn you more than it would your dh

[Headofthehive55]

I think it's very difficult to transfer industries yet improve in salary. I think you are always more use to the company you are in as you know them, their products etc. Not impossible no, but not easy. Having worked in different sectors I find one skill not valued in another. For example I worked in industry and did appraisals but have recently been told it doesn't count in the nhs. I need to have done them in the nhs for it to be credited and valued. DH also trying to move industries as his is very niche. It's seems impossible.

Loving the idea of tarting part time. Made me giggle!

[Namechangedfforthis]

Newlife
Thanks. I don't think a full time job will supplement our house income right now if he has to get a pay cut or new training /courses etc. Problem is, we are absolutely ready to live very frugally if it means it will pay in a few years because he loathes his current job and the stress. Plus I will be earning too by then and child care won't be that costly as DCs will be at school.
Our main concern is that we don't know where to get the guidance for this big decision. For example some kind of consultants who could guide in career change situations? I have come across various career guidance pages of newspapers though. Is there a chance they will actually post our question and reply it? We might even be able to pay fees for consultancy as we are desperate but we need good guidance. Problem is we don't know any reliable source of this kind of information who could help us.
We don't have a mortgage yet and are willing to relocate to between London and Cambridge somewhere. It won't affect my job prospects too much. I can commute at least if I work part time. but we want to get an idea what kind of household income we will be looking at then?
I wish I could do the tart thing though. Funny

[Namechangedfforthis]

Head
X posted! Yes that's our confusion too. we are ready to compromise on the amount of household income for a while. For example 40k a year is an absolute must for various reasons. If that's what we earn together while he is changing his career and I am settling in my work, then we are going to be happy probably though it will be a very significant pay cut for him compared I what he is getting right now.

[NewLife4Me]

Sorry this may sound stupid.

Can you not look at the different jobs he could go for both prior to and after training and work out from the salary if it was possible.
I know it might be a bit niche but there must be info even if not a particular job atm.
Is there a magazine that covers the industry where jobs are displayed?
This helped me even though I decided to leave the industry in the end.

[Namechangedfforthis]

I think it's a great idea so thanks for that! It's just that our main question is what kind of jobs will you be fit for in the health sciences and pharmaceutical industries after working at a managerial position in retail and as a senior sales rep in pharma along with having those science and management degrees? That's our main confusion.

[Theladyloriana]

I don't agree with what has been said. Specifically , not we but he. It isn't 'he' when you have a young dependant family. He should wait for career change until the family position is more stable - IE, you are able to work more and the kids child care costs are more manageable. I think it is a selfish time of life to want to change. There is plenty of time for that to be more possible. I speak from experience and the endless stress that the career changing of the main financial earner caused huge disruption and instability for all.

[RNBrie]

If this were my dh, I'd tell him to start job hunting. Brush up his cv, contact some recruiters in his chosen field and see what happens. The recruiters will tell him if his skill set isn't suitable or salary expectations are unlikely and what he needs to do to progress.

There is no harm in job hunting and it takes all the stress off you to make a decision now. Let him see what his options are and then make a decision when you have more useful information.

My dh recently went through a lot of upheaval at work and was concerned about his career there. He job hunted for a while, had some interviews and came to the conclusion that he was doing pretty well in his currently position. It was a really useful exercise and he's much happier for doing it. We have two small children and a third on the way and I work part time so he's the major bread winner, I wouldn't let that stop him looking for a new job though.

[Headofthehive55]

What about retail for a healthcare company, boots for example? Might lead to a sideways move etc.

Also don't forget earning 40k with one earner you can get away with two earners earning a lower combined income as two lots of tax allowances etc. Also cost if childcare?

[thesandwich]

So much recruitment happens via LinkedIn. Are you both active and connecting with people? Groups of relevant sectors? Have a look at what colour is my parachute good job search ideas. I understand the national careers service offers free advice. Try the icould website buzz quiz for ideas about sectors. Good luck

[Namechangedfforthis]

That's absolutely lovely advice and exactly what I was looking for! Thanks so much for all the time you put into writing responses here.
thelady
He is very worried about this. He has been thinking about somewhere else for a while. What prompted us more is this report
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/what-should-you-study-to-stop-robots-stealing-your-job

Sorry I can't seem to convert it to a proper link so you might need to copy paste it.

[Namechangedfforthis]

RNbrie
Thanks for sharing your experience. It looks to me that he is more worried about missing his family life if he continues in this role and decided upon not leaving at all.for example, he thinks he can get to the next (very well paid) level in a year or so hopefully but is worried how much toll it will take on our family life and my career plans. Of course it will come with major increase in pressure and work load. More socialising as well.
I really like the idea of starting it from here and take it slowly to see how the respond and the potential salary range could be. Plus what are the expectations of recruiters. I do want to see him happy at his choice of work long term and want to see him have a healthy work life balance which looks very hard here to be honest.
head
that's a brilliant idea! 😀 I will surely discuss with him. It does look very relevant to both his past experiences.
thesandwich
Yes we both are using it and he actually has a couple of interviews lined up for a slightly better position than here in another retailer. Better pay and hours too hopefully. But it's not in the relevant field yet as we were unsure of best way to plan it. We will def check the iCloud service you mentioned.
Is the Natonal Career Service any good though these days?

[Orwellschild]

I'm looking to change career from retail to something slightly different. I've found that Reed and 360 recruitment are really good for keeping on the case. Not sure if 360 is only London based though.
Retail is tough.
Good luck Op.

[Namechangedfforthis]

orwellschild
You must know exactly how it is. majority of the times I feel I have no life partner. I don't want to come across as whining and know very well that it's probably a first world problem but in the end it's my family and my career too that is at stake. Thanks for the tip. I am writing it all down to pass to DH.

[Orwellschild]

Myself and DP both work for the same company (different locations). It's hard work and lots of hours - but - luckily were in positions to balance our hours so we have time together. Not everyone can do this, and if you are supporting DH through a career change so your family can have a better (if slightly more frugal!) life than that's got to be worth it. I can PM my organisation - it's really great for work life balance. I just wanted a change - the companies fantastic.

[CaspoFungin]

It sounds like a medical sales rep type of job would suit him? There's often lots of commission to be earned, get him to sign up for agencies and look for medical sales rep jobs.