Advise on the market for an Army leaver

**JoJoGabor** · 17 July 2009, 12:42

THe market is dead at the moment, there are hundreds of contractors with years of experience out of work, so therefore hundreds of applicants for every job.

You're going to find it tough whether applygin for permie or contract work. My advice would be to get work doing whatever you can to pay the bills, if it was me, I'd go travelling somewhere cheap for 6 months to reduce your living costs while applying for jobs. THe phonecalls are that rare at the moment!

**ace00** · 17 July 2009, 13:12

There is a market for ex-military, due to security clearance. You should have or be able to get DV level. Then go and search on that. I have worked with a lot of ex-signals (in networking).

**SuperZ** · 17 July 2009, 13:20

Definately strongly consider going permie at least for a while. I don`t know what skills you have picked up but I think a permie job for a year or two wouldn`t be a bad idea (to learn how things are done in the real world

)

**scooterscot** · 17 July 2009, 14:11

Originally posted by Roamer77 View Post

Hi all, first post so please be gentle.

I have been looking for work both permi and contract since the start of May.
I have now come to the end of my 2 month period of being paid to re-acclimatise to civilian life and could do with an income. On the other hand my financial situation is far from desperate.

As the other half is still in the services (and due at some point in the near future to go somewhere...literally it's ALWAYS that vague) I'm fairly loathe to take a permi position as sod's law dictates I'll end up on the other side of the country.

Thus, contracts seem to make more sense...shorter term with flexibility to relocate to suit her. Plus the money

Contract wise, I've been going forward for a few jobs but have only had one real response being offered a position abroad.

My question then is this:

Since emigrating for work is about as popular with the wife as NicK Griffin at a Bah mitzvah, should I tough it out and see what the market in the UK does in the few months or bite the bullet and brush up on my french?
Rate isn't great either.

I'm a real newcomer to contracting so I could do with as much advise as possible.

Hello and thanks in advance.

Roamer77 - what function in the forces did you serve? What skills do you have?

**Zippy** · 17 July 2009, 14:37

I'm sure my esteemed colleagues are right about the security clearance angle so do look into that.

My view is that - if you fancy contracting - you'll need a track record so be prepared to take a few three monthers anywhere you can to establish your credentials. Your wife may not be very happy but surely you are both used to short-term postings?

All the best.

**nomadd** · 17 July 2009, 14:48

Originally posted by Roamer77 View Post

Hi all, first post so please be gentle.

I have been looking for work both permi and contract since the start of May.
I have now come to the end of my 2 month period of being paid to re-acclimatise to civilian life and could do with an income. On the other hand my financial situation is far from desperate.

As others have said, get a permie role and get some "real world" experience. No offense, but employers will not see armed services experience as relevant. At least that's my experience, having worked with quite a few ex-forces guys over the years.

Market at the moment is very tough. You maybe very lucky and find a contract, but I wouldn't count on it.

I worked with one PC Support company a few years ago who specialised in getting ex-forces people back into civilian work. Sorry, can't remember their name. Isn't there someone in the military who could help you with the transition - i.e. a sort of "careers advisor" for the return to civilian life? Maybe they would have contacts with the type of company I mentioned above.

Other than that, maybe concentrate your efforts on companies who specialise in military systems. You'd probably have an edge over us civies there.

Cheers,

Nomadd

**RichardCranium** · 17 July 2009, 14:55

Specifically for experienced ex-Forces personnel with technical skills (and often no recognisable qualifications despite shed-loads of training) The Institution of Analysts and Programmers can provide some advice. It would do you no harm to telephone them and state your position.

I would PM or email you some additional info, but this forum won't let me until you've had a few more posts moderated.

**Roamer77** · 17 July 2009, 19:12

Thanks for the quick responses ... much appreciated.

Just to clarify:
I have been offered a 12 month rolling contract but it isn't popular with the missus who thought we had left 'separated' life behind us.

scooterscot:
I was a Captain in the Royal Corps of Signals with over 6 years experience of communications and information systems; primarily in the project management and service management sphere of work.
However, we are very much jacks of all trades, masters of none and I have done a bit of everything as regards comms and IS. (security, design, training, presentations, etc).

Previous to that I was a software engineer with a first class hons degree in computer science. (C++, JAVA, VB etc...)
I have PRINCE2, MoR, ITIL, SC Clearance (they really don't like to get us DV anymore) and a C&G senior award in management and leadership which is supposed to be degree equivalent.
Plus, a whole bunch of army training (logistics, networks, radios, satellites, VTC, Afghan, Iraq, security, ISTAR, cryptography...oh and shooting ppl, office politics anyone?!)

I have worked on 'civvy street' before so understand the real world but I am a little rusty. That being said, all the contracts I'm aiming at are security cleared.

**Ardesco** · 17 July 2009, 22:24

Originally posted by ace00 View Post

There is a market for ex-military, due to security clearance. You should have or be able to get DV level. Then go and search on that. I have worked with a lot of ex-signals (in networking).

Always used to be SC for signallers if I remember correctly.

Advise on the market for an Army leaver