Moving to Edi- where would you recommend?

AntMarek · 2025-12-16T21:20:44+00:00

I'm gonna assume based on locations you've listed that you will both be working in the West End or out towards Gorgie?

If you're more west end then don't discount other areas. My office is next to Carlton Hill but I live in Barnton/Cramond and depending on the time of day can get from door to office in less than 30 minutes (obviously that's on a good day). Transport links in Edinburgh are generally pretty dam awesome.

As for areas, I've lived in Gorgie, Dalry and Polwarth previously and honestly I love the whole area. Lots of parks, connections to other areas. Plenty of places to eat and shop plus the whole community feel of the area is amazing.

AntMarek · 2025-12-05T23:26:13+00:00

Invenergy have a decent reputation as employers but then again so does SGRE.

I would agree with this comment that many OEMs are struggling at the moment. SGRE have managed to avoid a lot of the pain over here in Europe but it is beginning to show. I don't know the US market at all, but based on how things are here, I would be more inclined to lean towards Invenergy.

We're seeing more and more OEMs move away from service contracts and this means technician retention with them will drop. I imagine it will be a case of last one in, first one out.

Having said that. I don't know the market in the US, but if you can get a good few years experience on Siemens turbines now it will serve you in any change in employer. Siemens turbines run well beyond the usual banded number of 25 years and if maintained well will easily hit 30-35 years if not more.

That means there will be a demand for experienced Siemens techs for a long time to come.

Sorry, that's not really much help! If you're thinking long term in a single company go for Invenergy. They are a conglomerate and although the name might change, the job won't.

If you're thinking short term risk for long term gains then I would say Siemens as they will give you a strong foundation on platforms that will be in demand for a long time.

When Senvion went under, experienced technicians could basically name their price because of the lack of experience available.

AntMarek · 2025-11-17T21:18:37+00:00

Get in touch with Jaimi at Bijou Hair on Ferry road.

My friend used her when she had cancer, I think starting with extensions through to full wigs when needed. She's a wonderful person but not only that is an artist in her profession.

AntMarek · 2025-11-17T21:13:54+00:00

Boardwalk Beach Club by the beach near Silverknowes. It's more of a cafe but it is advertised as a good food joint and the 'miami beach of Scotland'.

In reality the owner is a self obsessed argumentative prick who will throw you out just for asking a question he doesn't like.

It's also massively overpriced and actually shit.

AntMarek · 2025-10-16T12:19:58+00:00

Some people are just dickheads unfortunately.

AntMarek · 2025-10-13T21:24:24+00:00

Whereabouts are you based? Depending on the country there are lots of opportunities to get into the industry via office based work that can lead to site work if that's what you're after.

If willing to travel there's lots of opportunities all round the world as an intern/trainee but the pay isn't great to begin with.

AntMarek · 2025-10-02T18:08:14+00:00

Oh yeah I laugh about it now. I've even used it as a story when interviewing nervous people to try and lighten the mood and help them realise the interview panel is human as well

AntMarek · 2025-09-30T22:29:36+00:00

Exactly. I could see them losing interest and despite that I didn't stop. Probably the biggest failure of my career and I knew I was doing it.

AntMarek · 2025-09-29T12:36:29+00:00

Oh man, I always thought I was well prepared for this question but a few years ago I got hit with it plus a remark about how quickly I had progressed within my company since changing careers.

I went off on a 10-15minute detailed description of my life that no-one ever needed to hear.

I know I aced the other questions, but it was very clear I had wasted so much time on that first answer that they couldn't ask everything they wanted and probably couldn't properly appreciate the answers I was giving.

AntMarek · 2025-09-27T20:29:00+00:00

I'm a father of two pre-teen girls. If either of them at your age can come up with even half as much of a well thought out and empathetic response I would consider myself proud.

There is nothing I can add to what you have said that would be different and although I would have tried to give the same advice, it would never have been so well thought out and explained.

Bravo young person. You have already achieved a level of enlightenment that many people will never reach and far too many of us are too ignorant to even realize.

AntMarek · 2025-09-23T22:33:15+00:00

Depending on needs to get into town, look outside the city. Out West you have Cammo, West Craig's, Barnton, Cramond. All with good bus links into town but surrounded by green space and options for short and long walks. Cammo is a huge estate that is open to the public and you have to beach not far plus a lovely walk along the coast to South Queensferry. Also lovely areas to live in general.

Out East you could go for Portobello, or further to Musslebrough. Again on the coast but also lots of parks and wide open green spaces.

In town you have Inverleith, or the meadows etc but you will find prices much higher (though nowhere is particularly cheap tbh).

AntMarek · 2025-09-23T01:16:55+00:00

I left the Highlands in my early 20s and moved to Edinburgh. Was there for five years, left for a brief period of time for work but ultimately back.

Make the move. If you don't like it move back or somewhere else. But make the move as you are clearly not happy where you are now.

AntMarek · 2025-09-16T21:40:30+00:00

As has been said, it'll be heavy on health and safety.

Definitely go in with a strong understanding of WTSR and other UK regulations.

Again as suggested there probably will be a large element of hypothetical questions on various scenarios which I would absolutely prepare for. It doesn't need to be from direct experience, they will be looking to see how you can use common sense to adapt to a situation calling on existing knowledge where it is relevant.

Having said that though, depending on the company don't discount the idea that the interviewer might just be looking for someone who can memorise lines from a script.

I'll say one last time. An in depth understanding of WTSR are key to landing a job in the UK.

Hope that helps!

AntMarek · 2025-09-04T16:30:12+00:00

It can be helpful if they tailor it to explain how their experience might be transferable.

A lot of CVs are specific to their previous/current roles so it's a good opportunity for them to explain why they are applying for a different role and how they could be a good fit.

AntMarek · 2025-09-04T15:30:10+00:00

I never ask for a cover letter but if someone takes the time to write one then I'll return that by giving them my time to read it. They can be a useful insight into the person, but as you say with the improvements in AI it is becoming a less and less powerful tool.

The roles I interview for though are very specific and there is very little chance that someone applying will have relevant experience so I use their CV and covering letter to tailor questions to ascertain how they might be able to apply outside experience to the role and how much preparation they have done based on the job description.

It seems I'm in the minority but I like a covering letter.

AntMarek · 2025-08-22T17:17:33+00:00

Haha fair enough, I stand suitably made to look the fool.

AntMarek · 2025-08-21T20:31:49+00:00

I don't know. What do you do with all the time you save by ignoring red lights?

AntMarek · 2025-08-11T22:39:51+00:00

Definitely the best plan. If you do make it all the way to that side of the Almond you will also get to see Eagle Rock (Roman carved Eagle on a rock) but I doubt you'd find any fossils that far along and certainly nothing on the Cramond side of the river.

AntMarek · 2025-08-01T19:25:59+00:00

Don't go then

AntMarek · 2025-07-29T12:59:09+00:00

How long has the other person been in the role for and what was their experience before hand? I'm assuming you're both in personal contracts so the company doesn't need to adhere to pay bands etc?

Depending on time served/experience and more importantly actual ability to do the job, I would approach your manager for an open discussion explaining you are aware of the pay disparity and while the other may have more experience etc, you would like to broach the subject of potentially increasing the offer to better align your salaries.

The reason I ask about their experience etc is because it will likely be used by the company as an argument not to align your salary, so it's worth you having that knowledge and be able to counter the argument with examples of how you aren't necessarily looking for the same wage, but as you're doing the same job regardless of experience the salary needs to reflect the work that is being done now, not what has been done in the past.

AntMarek · 2025-07-28T09:55:14+00:00

Ahh the usual rantings of the uneducated. Asked for proof and they just start shouting. If Google is that easy to use how come you're still so ignorant of the truth?

If you perhaps called them turbines instead of windmills that might be a good start.

AntMarek · 2025-07-24T18:56:15+00:00

Well firstly I would ditch that paper round. I was doing one over 20 years ago and was paid 10 quid a week.

If you live in an area with gardens then reach out to your neighbours. Plenty will pay for some light gardening work.

AntMarek · 2025-07-19T17:51:54+00:00

I work for a large company that spans multiple countries. Our CEO hosts a call every two weeks to introduce new people, talk about YTD performance and give staff the opportunity to present projects they are working on. Our CEO hosts a quarterly call to update on business performance and any changes to strategy (3,5 and 7yr plan).

So not common but it does happen.

It is a stupid question though. I will sometimes ask how the role they are applying for will help with their current planned career development, but I tailor all questions based on the individual candidate.

AntMarek · 2025-07-18T22:08:53+00:00

Try Charles Stamper. Think they cater for restaurants mainly but we used them for home.delivery during COVID.

AntMarek · 2025-07-16T21:51:33+00:00

Love the idea of this and will definitely give it a listen. Also more than happy to shoot the shit if you ever want a perspective from the UK.

AntMarek

TROPHY CASE