Career change

[Pickingmyselfup]

I'm fast approaching 36 and have worked in hospitality all of my working career. I have a degree in hospitality management and have worked in places from hotels to pubs.

Since having my first child almost 7 years ago now I've worked part time evenings and weekends and have recently got a part time day job as my youngest is about to start school.

However it's minimum wage and I get no sick pay so I'm conscious of having to take any time off for the kids because I have nobody else to help apart from my husband who can and will take time off but there will be times when I need to do it too or even if I'm sick myself.

Things between me and my husband are not amazing either so I want to try protect myself in the event he walks out on me.

Being hospitality based I obviously have customer service skills and I've done a lot of events too plus stints on reception. As a result I'm looking at events coordinator jobs, admin jobs etc. I'm reasonably competent in word, Excell and know my way around a computer but I've never worked in an office properly and a lot of the jobs are asking for that kind of experience.

Do I stand a chance of switching into such an environment? These jobs tend to be salaried, Monday-Friday day and have more security and hopefully the potential to progress too. The only way to progress in hospitality is to put in stupid hours for no pay and I just can't do that with the kids.

I just feel very stuck at moment in a job full of young people who are still figuring out what to do with their lives, I'm still floundering along with no "proper job"

To be honest other than not being sat at a desk you probably have a lot of the skills that people in ‘office’ environments need. It’s all about how you spin it really, look at jobs specs and write down example of where you have used a similar skills or completed a similar task. Have you thought about admin/event roles with some kind of link to hospitality with your background? Have you applied anywhere yet? It might be good to try and test the water, maybe speak to a recruiter who can help you place you in the best way.

Just really ham up the events, reception and admin portions of your job in your cv. I've changed career recently to something completely and utterly different at the age of 35 so it is doable. When I applied I just heavily featured the parts of my job that would be relevant and wrote a cover letter explaining in detail why I wanted to do it and how keen I was. I think enthusiasm helped.

OP, this is an ideal time in your life to start a new career. There are free Government resources that can help you work out your current skills, consider career options and skills boot camps that may help formalise your digital skills.

National Careers Service nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
Skills Bootcamps www.gov.uk/government/publications/find-a-skills-bootcamp/list-of-skills-bootcamps

Also consider making an appointment with your local Job Centre who should be able to advise about support with making a career change.

The Public Sector are often willing to look at transferable skills try CS Jobs, NHS recruitment and Jobsgopublic.