Employment is more than just work and receiving money.
For many people, work represents an affirmation of skills,
respect, status, protector and provider and also a major social
aspect of their life.
It is likely that you will have gone through the resettlement
process as part of your transition to a civilian career but if it
has been a while, then there are many sources of
assistance.
First and foremost is RFEA - Regular Forces Employment Agency.
They work in conjunction with the Careers Transition Partnership and
will provide a mentoring service to help you find the right
job.
If you have been a serving officer, then you can also access the
Officers Association which is
based in Edinburgh.
There are many job sites out there which are listed below but
most recruitment advisors suggest that you start a process of
networking. This involves making a list of who you know in
the different types of employment you might like and to contact
them. Networking will simply involve letting them know you
are in the market for a job and to see what might be available!
It is a difficult time in the jobs market at the moment but what
you need to concentrate on are your transferable skills.
These are the soft skills or interpersonal skills that you have
developed along the way in your military career. People
management, leadership, team player, problem solving,
determination, resourcefulness etc are built into you.
You need to make the most of your skills - you have probably had
a great deal of training and professional development so use this
to your advantage.
Some useful websites include:
www.civvystreet.org.uk
http://www.s1jobs.co.uk
www.rightjobs.co.uk
www.monster.co.uk
http://careers-scotland.org.uk
If you do not have a clue what type of work you are interested
in, a good point of contact is Careers Scotland. There are a
host of job and career profiles there and a questionnaire that can
help you identify what type of work you are suited to or might best
enjoy. They are also a source of intelligence on the latest
ways to get your CV noticed!
You can also use a number of specialist recruitment agencies who
will do the searching on your behalf. You find them through
the normal directories or on the web. They do not normally
charge you a fee but recoup their costs through the employer they
find you a job with. Thus they should work hard to find you a
job or they don't get paid.
Some agencies will charge a fee but this is for career
profiling, providing introductions, writing your CV for you but
they must inform you of this straight away.
The last point that we would recommend and one that you might
have overlooked is your local job centre! Now called
Job Centre Plus, they will
have the most up to date list of local jobs. If you are in
receipt of job seekers allowance then you will be in regular
contact with them already but if not, just pop in for a work
discussion.
Volunteering
If you have a few hours to spare per week, and you are a
veteran, you could consider some volunteering with us in our
drop in centre. Full training and support from the NHS would
be given and it may even open up new career opportunities for
you Please send us an enquiry here if
you are interested.
There are some vounteering there are some local projects that
may be of interest to you. Please follow their links for more
information.
Branching Out West Lothian (BOWL)
Volunteer Centre
Edinburgh
Bridgend
Project (gardening and growing project)
Good luck!