I’m free form journalling here. Need to think about what direction my life is going to take next. I’ve been back in England for just over a year and today is the anniversary of being at my job.
The job was supposed to be a stop-gap job to get a base to grow out from. It enabled my family to come live with me and save for a better future.
It wasn’t supposed to be for a year though. I was trained today in some new techniques and the trainer said when he came it was for a stop gap position and this is his 13th year. It’s statements like this that worry me.
My daughter recently had her third birthday and will be attending school starting a year in September. We need to get her name down for a school at least a year in advance and perhaps more realistically a couple of years before she was born.
We’re living in my hometown in a small (cozy?) flat. As my wife is Japanese, jobs that she would want to do are scarce in this small town and it looks like a move is necessary. She has a degree in Chinese and speaks Japanese and English.
But what to do? Get her a job in London first and follow her? Look for a job whilst working? How do I attend interviews? Quit the job and look for a new job? How will we survive without money?
I’m going to spend the evening brainstorming.
Good luck.. “wasted” 10 years already thinking about how to take the next step. (in my case to Japan)
I hate to tell you this, but a year is still short-term Simon, even though it does seem like a lot more. A year is just enough time to get things under control, especially if you’re bringing family from a different country.
I wouldn’t sweat it, but over the next few months I’d start looking at what’s out there, and when you’ve got a good feel for it – start applying. It might be tough in Poole, but I don’t think London is any easier.
If the prospective employer really wants to speak to you, they will work around your schedule. Whatever you do, do not quit the job until you’ve got another lined up. I don’t have any advice about what to do for Reiko, but it might have to be London.
Just surfing through, but just wanted to add a few words of wisdom from a professionally unwise old dreamer….Don’t let what anyone tells you, especially their own story about being stuck or unhappy, influence you…Unless the influence is to not to give up, not be them in 10 years…That being said, when you have a family you do what you have to do because people are dependent upon you…But with your language skills, writing skills, I would really think there is something better out there for you. One thing I do know is that when you are working, you don’t feel like you have the energy to hunt for another job…And if you quit the job you have to look for another one, this is absolutely self destructive for you when looking for a new job…For some crazy reason, a unspoken rule is that you are looked at as more employable, if you already have a job…And yet some jobs by nature can keep you stuck, the longer your in them the less likely you will be able to get accepted into a job that is totally different…Selling insurance is so different than education, publishing etc…you get stereotyped, by prospective employers. The job market is tight globally, it’s not going to get much better for awhile, and awhile may be a long time…So fill in the gaps in your education, have you wife help you market yourself, look for possible employment etc…I don’t care what anyone says a large city has more highly skilled jobs that need to be filled than urban and country locations…There is more competition, but the job market is there. And last but not least, think about self employment, where you can utilize your skills…It would help to diversify, Japanese, tutor, consultant, interpreter, cultural adviser, writer on living in a foreign country, etc…There probably is a niche for you and your wife to have your own business, in your home, and possibly supplement your income through part time jobs, like teaching at the local college, adult education whatever you have to teach…Good luck, your young, you have that on your side, don’t loose confidence in your own personal power..After all just how many people have lived abroad and have had your unique experiences, that alone is worth a lot in the job market…
Just do it.
If, in a years time, it turns out to be the wrong thing at least you have done something and you’ll have a new set of experiences/skills behind you.
But you’ve got to do it first.
Keep it that simple – Just do it.
long time no see. Baby, sakura-chan, is due in about 1 week.
Have you thought of working part time, I found this quite a good balance. I had time to search and money coming in. I think the uk has some law that says unless the company can show it will lose money it has to let you work part time if you want.