A Career Change!

[SharonC]

I've been thinking about a Career change for awhile, now my IVA has finished and I'm starting a whole new life, I'd like to do something else. I've always had a background in Finance and I've been studying towards becoming a Management Accountant.(I know seems a little silly considering the IVA, all I'll say is it wasn't just my IVA) It suddenly dawned on me...why can't I look into becoming a Debt advisor. I've been through the IVA process myself, I understand about debt and I feel really strongly about helping others so they don't feel the way I did when I started.
Now the thing is where do I start. Who can I talk to to get some more information. What qualifications do I need to prove I know what I'm talking about
Any advise would be really appreciated!

[kallis3]

Have a look at some of the big companies to see if anyone is recruiting? I believe it would be on the job training

[SharonC]

Do you think the fact I've been in an IVA would go against me? I know it shouldn't as it's given me first hand experience but I'm not sure if it would be seen as a negative

[SharonC]

There's the fact I live in Southampton too. I'm not sure what companies are based in Hampshire

[kallis3]

You don't have to live close by for some as you can work from home. I know one poster whwo lives in Liverpool and works for VB who are based down south.

Your iva should hold you in good stead. The hours can be long though and I'm not sure what the money is like.

[SharonC]

If I can work from home even just some of the week I don't mind the long hours and if I can take home the same salary I have now I'd be more than happy. It's just finding the starting point and not making myself look completely stupid when I approach companies

[oscar]

Good luck with this Sharonc. Your background in finance will have given you many transferable skills that could be put to use in the role in which you are now interested. In addition, first hand experience should not go against you I think if you have succesfully completed an IVA yourself, although I'm not familiar with the policies of particular individual companies on this. It might actually go in your favour that you can demonstrate what you are talking about so good luck in pursuing this. Best wishes
Oscar

[SharonC]

Thanks Oscar. I'm hoping it does all go in my favour. I'm going to put the feelers out by sending my CV to a couple of companies and explaining my background. Be interesting to see what responses I get.
When I send my CV they can't contact my current employer can they? don't want them to know yet until I know I can definitely do it

[kallis3]

You can always specify that you don't want them to contact your boss at the moment. I tho.k the jobs may pay a basic and then comission based. Not sure though.

[oscar]

Hi SharonC I'd make sure you make it crystal clear that they are only to contact your employer if an offer of employment is imminent (or something like that) Hope this helps

In addition, some companies do not accept speculative applications so I'd recommend actually looking on their websites for actual vacancies also and applying for them to give yourself the maximum chance of success. Good luck

Oscar

[Shining]

I would have a word with Andy Davie from the forum, he's living proof of how an IVA brought him into a whole new career.

Melanie always says she doesn't discriminate people who've had debt problems so I'm sure there are other employers who don't either. All the best, it's worth a scout around and by contacting a few you'll see how the land lies. x

[Shining]

I've just written a personal statement for a uni application and put on it about the forum to enhance my people skills!

[SharonC]

Thanks for all the advise everyone I'll certainly email Andy and see what he suggests. Good luck with your uni application Lesley

[SharonC]

Hi Lesley, I've been in contact with Andy and he's going to put me in touch with the right people. Looks like a Debt Advisor is going to be the best option for me. I just hope there's a job out there for me
Went a bit wobbly last night and lost confidence that I could do it but reading Andy's email this morning has given me the push so I'll be sorting that CV out.

[kallis3]

Glad you're going to get something sorted. Let us know how things are going.