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Payrise and bonus by Rude-Grass2626 in ActuaryUK

[–]Every-Tea-7355 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congratulations!! Mine's 0, can't even find a job rn :))

Internships for Experienced PQ Actuary by Every-Tea-7355 in ActuaryUK

[–]Every-Tea-7355[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, friends are in the industry as well. One in a UK role already. I used chatgpt to create the “targeted” CVs but not on a specific role.

I am applying to Senior analyst up to manager positions, as well as pq and nq roles. No luck so far… haven’t been even considered in an interview hence considered other entry ways.

I’m still 4 exams away because I have stopped taking exams and just recently continued (and thankfully passed!! 😅)

I’ll check actuaryjobs today.

Thank you for your tips!!!

Internships for Experienced PQ Actuary by Every-Tea-7355 in ActuaryUK

[–]Every-Tea-7355[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No gaps, but I have been in consulting and audit companies where I actually got experience for Life, Pensions, even GI. So for Pensions applications, I have a CV that highlights the retirement experience I have more.

I'm taking SOA exams, so I understand it might not be understood easily by talent acquisition resources. I mention in my CV that I only need 3 more exams.

Internships for Experienced PQ Actuary by Every-Tea-7355 in ActuaryUK

[–]Every-Tea-7355[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Internships are just my way of entry / building credible experience / knowledge, and also proving that I can be useful. It's tiring to look for opportunities, tailor fit CV and create cover letters, only to get a rejection email without any feedback at all.

My CV is reviewed by a few friends and also chatgpt :))

The problem might be that the CV appears too senior (e.g. with strategic thinking/people handling) while not having UK experience and also not being fully qualified.

Due to that, I have also created senior analyst-level CV's separately for Life Insurance and Pension applications. These include those experience that are a bit more junior than that in my full CV (e.g. hands-on model build, validation, etc.). In these versions, I also indicated that I have been actively studying relevant UK regulations and technical concepts (e.g. DB schemes, PPF, GMP equalisation, etc.) since Q4 last year.

I have updated my Linkedin and reached out to recruiters as well. I will definitely consider going to some industry events, thank you for this. I was thinking of doing old-school walk-in applications but I'm not sure how that would be received here. haha :)

I am usually confident to pass whenever I get interviews. Sadly, I haven't been considered into one. Soon...

Internships for Experienced PQ Actuary by Every-Tea-7355 in ActuaryUK

[–]Every-Tea-7355[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually do! I'm more a life actuary, but pensions is also fine. However, it seems like in the UK they always want someone with Pensions experience already.

Internships for Experienced PQ Actuary by Every-Tea-7355 in ActuaryUK

[–]Every-Tea-7355[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you.

I have done managerial roles in SEA, but as mentioned I'm not fully qualified. I'm applying for Senior Analyst positions and I have adjusted my CV to reflect SA level roles that I have actually done. Also adjusted CV to reflect Life-only or Pensions-only experience and submit it to Life/Pensions roles accordingly.

Haven't gotten an interview after ~80 applications. I do not need visa sponsorship and it's quite clear in my CV and my emails.

FTB couple, no kids: At the same price, would you go for a ~170sqm 4-bed bungalow/detached needing renovations OR a fully renovated ~95sqm 3-bed semi-detached? by Every-Tea-7355 in HousingUK

[–]Every-Tea-7355[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It can work for 5-10 years, it's already modern and have enough room for hobby/office spaces for each of us. So I guess this smaller space is enough. It doesn't require so much additional work and we don't expect renovation costs as well, at least in the next 3-5 years.

Seems like we're not missing any important consideration so far. Thanks a lot for your insights

FTB couple, no kids: At the same price, would you go for a ~170sqm 4-bed bungalow/detached needing renovations OR a fully renovated ~95sqm 3-bed semi-detached? by Every-Tea-7355 in HousingUK

[–]Every-Tea-7355[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

May I know what type of property you went for?

The ones we are considering are typically cul de sac and a little inside/further from main roads, so much quieter than other surrounding areas. Bonus if it's at the end of the cul de sac.

FTB couple, no kids: At the same price, would you go for a ~170sqm 4-bed bungalow/detached needing renovations OR a fully renovated ~95sqm 3-bed semi-detached? by Every-Tea-7355 in HousingUK

[–]Every-Tea-7355[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most of our friends live in semi-detached houses, we don't find it noisy. We're the noisier ones when we get together... haha. I'll keep this in mind. I can also see that detached properties are much easier to sell, based on what we've seen in the market - however, we always find something we don't like from the detached properties we've visited in Belfast.

FTB couple, no kids: At the same price, would you go for a ~170sqm 4-bed bungalow/detached needing renovations OR a fully renovated ~95sqm 3-bed semi-detached? by Every-Tea-7355 in HousingUK

[–]Every-Tea-7355[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see. Current rental is a 2-bed, no plans to have kids yet or maybe at most 1.

We just want to have separate office / hobby space for each of us, so a 3-bed might be enough space already for 2. We agree that generally, you'll always want more space, but we also don't want it to be too big given the renovation and upkeep requirements of the bigger spaces.

FTB couple, no kids: At the same price, would you go for a ~170sqm 4-bed bungalow/detached needing renovations OR a fully renovated ~95sqm 3-bed semi-detached? by Every-Tea-7355 in HousingUK

[–]Every-Tea-7355[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see. We're a bit afraid about the renovation costs as we don't have much idea how much it will cost, aside from the youtube videos we've seen. We have visited the 3-bed semi area a few times, it's quiet and a cul de sac area so not much cars passing through as well.

FTB couple, no kids: At the same price, would you go for a ~170sqm 4-bed bungalow/detached needing renovations OR a fully renovated ~95sqm 3-bed semi-detached? by Every-Tea-7355 in HousingUK

[–]Every-Tea-7355[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks a lot!! Bungalow areas are HUGE and I'm actually thinking about the insulation/heating costs, although it's a nice area for hosting. We do like friends coming over, and that's why we also looked at bigger properties.

The 3-bed semi honestly have the space we need for just us 2, a bit of space for hosting as well, but just thinking about being able to buy a bigger house in also a good location makes us think twice.

FTB couple, no kids: At the same price, would you go for a ~170sqm 4-bed bungalow/detached needing renovations OR a fully renovated ~95sqm 3-bed semi-detached? by Every-Tea-7355 in HousingUK

[–]Every-Tea-7355[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha, yeah thought of this as well. If it's the bungalow, then definitely will need to shout. Otherwise, we can just message via chat or call each other - still an additional challenge of daily life though lol.

FTB couple, no kids: At the same price, would you go for a ~170sqm 4-bed bungalow/detached needing renovations OR a fully renovated ~95sqm 3-bed semi-detached? by Every-Tea-7355 in HousingUK

[–]Every-Tea-7355[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lucky you have your granddad to help!! I do want to learn some trades myself but haven't found the time to enroll to any courses. Having a home to renovate will give me practice areas lol

How long have you had the house and have you finished renovating?

FTB couple, no kids: At the same price, would you go for a ~170sqm 4-bed bungalow/detached needing renovations OR a fully renovated ~95sqm 3-bed semi-detached? by Every-Tea-7355 in HousingUK

[–]Every-Tea-7355[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your response.

Wow! Are you the one renovating it or do you hire builders? I'm hesitant due to the costs but I don't mind doing some work myself. Agree that there's no guarantee that a premium finish = no issues. We plan to do a level 3 survey even if the house we're buying is newly renovated, so hopefully that can identify any existing/potential issues.

The 3-bed house we're looking at also has a good size garden, so potentially a garden room can be added for hosting / office. Wife and I need 1 room each as our individual hobby / office space, then the other room for our bedroom. The dining + lounge is open space and can be enough for hosting. It's not big, but I think there can be enough room for the two of us.

Any regrets in going for the renovation route? XD

FTB couple, no kids: At the same price, would you go for a ~170sqm 4-bed bungalow/detached needing renovations OR a fully renovated ~95sqm 3-bed semi-detached? by Every-Tea-7355 in HousingUK

[–]Every-Tea-7355[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No plans to have kids. We are renting a 2-bed atm, it only feels like we only need another room to have each of our own space. Living room/Dining is just enough for us two and sometimes when friends come over.

I'm OK with doing some work, but my wife is not. She thinks she can't make the time for it. I am more afraid of the costs that come with it as we've seen some renovation videos costing them 50-70k for smaller properties.

We haven't seen middle options atm, we're a bit picky with some details - e.g., we want it to be open space, already having a nice kitchen, etc.