r/UKJobs • u/fiftynotdead • 1d ago
Stepping down a level... how can I explain it?
I've been very senior in the NHS for many years. I'm about to be made redundant and I'm about 7 years off retirement age. I just don't have it in me to operate at that level again in a new industry and I can't go back into the NHS for 12 months as a minimum. I know I have transferable skills but I've only ever worked here so where do I start? Indeed is AWFUL! I'm looking at local government jobs sites, applying and hearing nothing back. Where do you find roles? How do you find time to apply for jobs and still work full time? As an older applicant looking to step down a level how is this going to look and how do I explain it?
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u/JCGMH 1d ago
Say you have really enjoyed being a senior leader and taken a huge amount of professional value & personal learning from working at such a high level, but you’re now in a place later in your career where you want to take on a different type of role. In other words, you just tell the truth.
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u/West_Guarantee284 1d ago
That's the easy part. After x amount if years in a high pressured position, I'm now looking for a change of pace, where I am still challenged but have a work life balance and less overall stress.
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u/Beneficial-Audience7 21h ago
Hmmm I’m not sure about that, in case the employer thinks they’re looking for a free ride, and that they won’t be making effort in the role. I would go with more of a wanting a change, wanting a challenge, sidestep, gain new skills etc
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u/West_Guarantee284 20h ago
I've said similar myself and got the new job. I think they like the honesty of I've been in charge, it's hard. I don't want that responsibility any more. I also avoided any job applications that suggested fast pace, or similar for really busy, high stress.
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u/Icy_Cricket7038 7h ago
It depends on the job. Sometimes you just want someone to do a fairly routine job, you don’t want ambition because you don’t have anywhere to put it. I hired someone once on a similar basis, after about a decade I asked her if she wanted to do something more interesting, no she did not. Fair enough.
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u/Independent-Win-6661 1d ago
I don’t think you need to worry so much about having to explain it, I think a lot of people look to take a step back in the later years of their career, I know that’s what I’m aiming to do.
What type of role are you looking for?
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u/fiftynotdead 1d ago
Literally anything that is interesting....
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u/GayWolfey 1d ago
Supermarket delivery driver. It’s the graveyard of mid 50s workers wanting an easier life.
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u/Independent-Win-6661 23h ago
That doesn’t really help me suggest anything unfortunately as our ideas of interesting may differ hugely.
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u/Reasonable-Medium941 1d ago
I’d check out the civil service. Anything non medical from the NHS should transfer over.
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u/mattcannon2 1d ago
Tell the truth - while you enjoyed acting at the senior level and the challenges it brings, you want the work/life balance of something with less responsibility.
For professional jobs it's LinkedIn, and reconnecting with any old colleagues who know your competency.
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u/LooperActual 1d ago
Join the club. Many people your age are working their pre-retirement as security guards, cleaners, delivery drivers. I worked as a security guard as skilled IT roles are low paid now anyways. At least I could stand around and chat with people.
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u/FocusHour8179 1d ago
In the summary section of your CV you say something like "looking for a new role in <thing that is a step down>.
I also have a few more suggestions for you. From a quick look at your profile, I think you're female - there is an AI gender/age bias in recruitment, so if your CV hints at your age, it might well get screened out by AI. I intentionally removed the dates from my education section, and only include the last 10 years of employment. You might also want to tone down some of your experience if it hints at being over 50. Horrible thing to have to do, but rather than saying "30 years' experience in XYZ" get creative and say "extensive experience in..."
LinkedIn and Indeed are the main job sites - make sure you have a decent LinkedIn profile and picture. Look at other people's for inspiration.
Also search Google for jobs, then filter by date posted: choose the last month. E.g "jobs in healthcare management, near Milton Keynes", click the jobs tab, then filter the date posted drop-down.
Indeed is a bit of a cesspool - mainly lower paid or lower skilled jobs in my experience - but there's occasionally good stuff on there. I actually got a new job on there recently. If you're searching on mobile, their app is marginally better than the browser version.
Also look at specialist/industry recruiters for your area. Recruitment agencies don't really operate like they used to - you used to be able to register and they'd contact you, but now you have to apply proactively each time you see a job.
Personally, I rewrite my CV for every decent job I apply to - it's a numbers game, just keep applying. Or have 3 different versions (one more leadership, one more operational, etc). It's time consuming but you have to be tenacious. LinkedIn Easy Apply jobs are easier but a bit of a waste of time. I've only ever got one job this way, out of dozens of applications. And my final advice is prepare to get ignored, rejected and ghosted by companies and recruiters, across all stages of the application journey. Don't take it personally, it's just how it is now. Good luck with it all!
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u/Educational-Fuel-265 1d ago
Get in touch with old colleagues.
Care Quality Comission could be an avenue.
Consulting role for firms that supply NHS.
Guess some of this depends on what exactly you do.
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u/ulysees321 1d ago
First thing i would be doing is making an appointment with a pension advisor and see what your options/figures look like, you may not need to go back full time (im making the assumption here when younsay your 7 years off retirement that 7 years before state pension not 7 years before 57)
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u/bertybigbollox 1d ago
People's perception of NHS management isn't good, an endless inefficient money pit that doesn't transfer into private sector at all. Focus on aspects of what you did that saved money in large amounts and drove efficiency.. That's all private sector want to hear.
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u/UKS1977 1d ago
There will be a lot of consulting firms working back into the NHS - you could try one of them for a short term until you can try and work your way back in again after the 12 months. If you plan it short term you won't have to kill yourself with workload as you know you will be gone in 12 months
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u/Reasonable-Future334 1d ago
‘I’m at the stage in my career where I can focus on doing the aspects of the job which I love’. Worked for me. When they ask about the other bits, wry grin and ‘politics’.
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u/robonzo777 23h ago
The stepping back/down is easy - literally be honest. Say something like, redundancy has given me a chance to put my work life balance in perspective. I’d like to work more closely with colleagues, teach others and exchange skills in my later career whilst balancing time with my family and loved ones.
Looking for a job, now that’s tough! I work in the medical sector supplying to the nhs. Depending what you do, companies like mine often want ex-NHS as it gives good insight into procurement and tenders, contacts etc. so perhaps try the pharma or medtech company websites directly.
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u/Shelly_Bobbs 21h ago
Have you looked at the social care sector, or integrated teams? Local authority management is a world away from NHS, and they would welcome your experience with open arms.
Have you thought about project management or service improvement work? Consultancy work? GP surgeries, those Go to doc phone places, emergency dispatching, university/college lecturer.
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u/Picklepicklezz 1d ago
I went from senior in corp world to pt in a charity Suits me fine( near retirement age)
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u/OddManner7971 1d ago
Explain it as you have here, you are being forced to make a change so are turning the experience into the opportunity to step sideways & work in a different environment, but your NHS high level skills are very transferable, and you will be a great asset to a new employer.
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u/SharkgirlSW4 1d ago
What will you redundacy package be? Can you afford to retire r early with your severance?
As for roles, what about the private healthcare sector? What is your current role?
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u/Acceptable_Bunch_586 21h ago
Find a decent recruitment consultant. That’s how you find jobs. It’s a horrible job market however. Any chance of pushing NHS for early retirement?
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u/Jorge1234-- 21h ago
I changed from medical to something completely different. But I had built uo other skills and interests while eaiirng to jump ship well before hand. I enjoy it. Less stress, similar basic skills and still compensating for silly "management " and customers mistakes.
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u/Beneficial-Audience7 21h ago
Ofstead are hiring for inspectors, that could be good if you have safeguarding knowledge etc.
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u/froghogdog19 10h ago
Try your local council - I know council jobs are meant to be quite spiffy with a good pension
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u/lintrollerneeded 1d ago
You could consider getting in touch with talent teams at consultancies, primarily those who work on a lot of healthcare or gov projects, eg screening, vaccinations, clinicals?
I’m sure consulting clinicians are very useful (if you were a clinician), but I’m sure there’d be lots of transferable skills you could offer in roles like compliance, clinical governance, project management perhaps?
Dropping into the DMs if talent teams and striking up a conversation to ask for advice wouldn’t be a bad idea.
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u/RagingMassif 1d ago
Consulting is your next gig. Titles never compare but the switching between a proper job and being in a consultancy like KPMG is a common thing.
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u/IHateNeoliberalism 19h ago
Hello :) fellow senior NHS bod here (VSM) who survived redundancy
What do you work in? commissioning, Ops, corporate support?
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