Am a Medical PA - Is it possible to change sector?

[HalfGreekBitch]

I have been looking to find a new job as a PA but have always worked in the medical sector, for doctors. My current job is well paid but I am lonely, working by myself with no office camaraderie. I previously worked in the NHS and loved it but needed to move to private sector 3.5 years ago to boost income (I left my husband and I have two children) so I could get a decent mortgage. I live in the south east and am up for the London commute. Any time I apply for non-medical jobs I hear nothing back despite my making a case in covering letter that I believe many of my skills are transferable. Am I being naive to think that at nearly 47 my life and work experience could not be beneficial in another industry. I would take courses to enable me to have a better understanding of the financial sector for example but if “experience” is what will be required for me to apply for these roles then I still won’t tick the box. Any advice would be very gratefully received.

Can you go on some courses?
Do you mind what band you do?

oh, sorry, you said this.
how about education?
charity?
its the people you work with that is important?
That could happen anywhere

Can you work in NHS nearer home?

Are you going through agencies too? A decent secretarial agency would love someone with your experience.

I work in professional services, and we look at PAs (executive assistants) from any industry, as long as they have the right attitude, stakeholder management skills, and able to use Outlook!

Make sure your CV highlights your skills and experience properly too, rather than focussing on any medical elements.

Have you looked into Higher Education PA jobs? The salaries tend to be really good. I work for an arts university in London.

Have a look at www.jobs.ac.uk and LinkedIn is good for jobs as well.

Thanks so much for your replies, I will def explore the Higher Ed and reassuring that Professional Services would consider me. I need to change my CV up some more I think and focus on the skills perhaps rather than the environment. I don’t
mind a pay drop as I think I could improve my prospects but NHS is just too big a pay drop for me now I think, I haven’t seen many Band 5’s in recent times and from my experience the higher you go in admin in NHS it’s more managerial, not my bag even if I did have those qualifications. I would def consider NHS again in the future and it was great for me when kids were younger, allowing me to work more flexibly.

How about private hospitals?

The private hospitals don’t pay huge amount more than NHS LittleBookofCalm hence considering change of sector to get me amongst other people again, but NotforProfit or education would def be on my radar

Also, I would just say that our company has a preferred supplier arrangement with a single recruitment agency. So unless you were registered with the right agency, you might miss out, so ensure you're on the right distribution lists etc!!