change of career.....again....!!

[ilovedfatbrian]

I'm after any ideas please! I am a qualified solicitor, and worked for 5 years as a commercial lawyer for a medium sized firm. I then got offered a great opportunity in France to run my own property business, which I have done for the last 5, but it's time to go back to England, mainly for personal reasons (education system, ageing parents and PILs etc).

Does anyone have any idea of what I could do instead of the law (I think commercial law has been hit too hard the last year or so, so would like to consider something else.)

Any ideas or personal experiences of ex-lawyers/estate agents, who have changed direction, would be really gratefully received, as I'm stuck! Thank you!!

Your skills would probably be very transferable to the civil service. Ever thought of that?

oooh, no, I've never thought of that. In what role/department? I know nothing about the civil service and how you would even go about finding out what's available. Thank you for your reply - If you know any more detail, I'd be grateful.

Given the UK's current budget deficit, I suspect there isn't going to be much going on in the public sector for a while. Sorry to put a downer on it for you. If your French is good, why don't you target the French companies in the UK. Your skills set is probably transferable to a marketing job. Where will you be living?

Government Legal Service - lawyers who work in government departments and how to be one (there are a lot of them!)

Civil Service Jobs - for non-lawyer jobs (have come across several lawyers who now work in non-lawyer jobs in the civil service). Have a search of jobs to get an idea about what's out there. Look at "grade 7" or above.

the Civil Service in general

Yup, probably not the best time to be making a move into the public sector, but to be honest the private sector isn't exactly flourishing and expanding at the moment either. And the civil service will still be recruiting to some extent and isn't going to shut down.

Thanks starmucks. I appreciate being brought back down to earth! We'll be in the North West or Yorkshire (either Manch or Leeds, preferably Manchester), we'll go wherever we can get work. I've looked at marketing jobs, but they all require extensive experience.

Wow, Wigeon. That's brilliant. Thanks ever so much. I shall have a good look at those, it sounds interesting. I agree that I'm not choosing the best time to go back into work, but am hoping that life goes on....! Thank you so much for taking the time to send me these links, much appreciated....

No problem! At least it'll give you some ideas.

Good idea from starmucks to use your language skills somehow too.

What about an account manager position? My DH has just been hiring, and they were looking for people who can build up a rapport with a small group of clients, be tough with them when necessary, and sell them new stuff when appropriate. I would have thought that law / estate agency woudl be spot on?

ooh, thanks GrendelsMum. In what type of industry? Sounds interesting.....he's not recruiting in Manchester is he.....?

Afraid not, or I'd be giving you a link to his business!

He's actually now actively recruiting mums going back to work - people who have had very high-flying careers but who now want family-friendly working hours, to be able to work flexibly when DCs are sick, etc etc.