h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Why is it all just one big question mark, you ask?

(Or not)

Well, having realised I can only extend my contract here by one more year, and not wanting to leave it till the last minute/ move in winter/ half way through a school year etc.....I've decided to come back to the UK. Next Summer.

Which is awfully soon!

Now I don't know where I'll be, what job I'll be doing, where I'll live, where the kids will go to school.... I could take the easy option and go back to Belfast. Where my home Department will shove me into the first available vacancy without any utilisation of my skills and experience. To paraphrase an email from them "We dont 'do' career development". So, thanks but no thanks.

I'd really like to go to Edinburgh. But am not ruling out other UK locations. Cept London. Don't think I could afford it on one salary.

But it is so interesting watching my son's reaction. In the run up to moving to Luxembourg I was met with continual delaying tactics, obstruction, non-compliance...he just didnt want to go.

This time, he's stopped wearing his baseball cap (in preparation for UK school uniform rules). He's spoken to his Dad about the possibility that he might have to repeat a year, but been positive about the whys and wherefores of that. He's tidying his room!

What's that about actions speaking louder than words?

Sounds like he's looking forward to returning to the UK - hope he realises he'll still have to study French though!

RF

Tricky one. Are you looking at the private sector as well?

sprout

Yeah, I'm more convinced that it's the right decision. He's looking forward to having the best French accent in his class (as well as being able to teach evryone else how to swear fluently in forrin)


Not ruling anything out job wise - I never did intend to stay in the Civil Circus for ever, so maybe now the time has come....

As someone "working" in Edinburgh within the civil service I should point out that house prices here are the steepest in Scotland. Remind me of your skills again? Photography and tap dancing? Do you know how to hear about our vacancies etc?

Thank you darling!

Steepest in Scotland still is affordable compared to London....what's the rental market like?

Skills: accounting, statistics, agriculture esp forestry. Lot of communication experience (written publications, oral presentations...)

Other than through the Recruitment Gateway, how do I get to hear about vacancies?

Oh, and EU experience, obviously

Yes, recruitment gateway is the way forward. Rentals vary from around 450 to skys the limit monthly. Good property place for Edinburgh has its own website:
http://www.espc.co.uk/

I will keep my eyes open. Are you a very senior civil servant?

I was on the promotion list to Asst Sec (Grade 5) until they changed the rules - as far as I know most if not all Senior CS jobs are now filled through open competition, so I'll keep my eyes on all the job pages.

Especially in the specialist (geeky) areas...

So have you rejected the Welsh Assembly out of hand then? I know vaguely one lawyer there who seem to find it alright. Maybe not as lively as Scotland, but probably livelier than Luxembourg.

sprout

Well I hope you find the right job, and it doesn't settle you somewhere too far from the 'hub of world activity'; well Londond and the winter and summer meets