© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
Starting to really lose hope....
3 more rejection emails (so far) today. Starting to lose hope I will ever find anything. I have many skills, but not all were the main focus - meaning title skill - of my jobs before (examples: training, project management, etc.) and so not all of them are what you’d call deep (I can’t really claim 16 years of project management experience). I am trying to return to the workforce, and at first I was trying to shift to a career different than my degree or direct work experience; that wasn’t working, so I shifted to roles more in line with my degree - same response. I hold little hope that looking for jobs based on my last position(s) is going yield anything different. I have applied to 170 jobs since January, with 3 calls, and 1 interview; the rest are form rejections and I’ve had no offers.
A history:
19 years ago: left the traditional office to take freelance work and be at home
3 years ago: finished last freelance job to volunteer at son’s school with two projects (relevant to my degree)
Has freelancing and volunteering just somehow rendered me unemployable? I have highlighted all my relevant experience, tailored my resumes, written cover letters, and sent my applications to hiring managers directly. Nothing.
I’ve done nothing but cry for the last hour. If I didn’t really need the paycheck, I’d just give up.
How do I keep going if these are my results?
Carrie Topolski
Empowering women and beyond!
2.34k
07/24/19 at 2:05PM UTC
I'm sorry you're having such a rough go at this. Have you had anyone review your resume professionally?
Anonymous
07/25/19 at 5:32PM UTC
Actually, I have. I am working with a career coach. Just not getting any bites. *sigh*
BrookieI assist momentum so that we never stop growing
414
07/31/19 at 1:03AM UTC
I think half of your battle is already done because you have skills for days! I was feeling pretty hopeless too but I've recently stumbled upon two career books that are absolute game changers for me and for the people preceding me who have followed their systematic wisdom.
Right now, you're spending a lot of time, energy, and hope while applying to countless jobs online. I'll borrow Steve Dalton's own words from his book, "The 2-Hour Job Search" on why applying to job posts online is a futile attempt. (And I've gotta say, now that I know this, I feel so free and empowered to actually find the right job for me while also "gifting" the right candidate to my future employer as well).
Pg. 18
[Speaking about why creating a targeted list of employers for informational interviews, etc. is an infinitely more successful route than applying to open job posts online].
"A good example of how making a list of target employers is effective can be found in an unlikely source: reality television. On ABC's The Bachelor, twenty-five women are isolated in a house and given a chance to form a relationship with one eligible bachelor. Based on the Bachelor's whims, one or more women are eliminated each episode until only one winner remains. Voila. Romance.
Watching this show physically pains me--I have a very low tolerance for awkwardness, which for a career coach is like being a doctor with a latex allergy--but I've always found its game theory fascinating. Who wouldn't be a good Bachelor if you limited supply and maximized demand like that? I mean, the guy has a 100-percent chance of winning; his entire strategy consists of "Get my own TV show."
On the flip side, being a female contestant on The Bachelor is an awful proposition. Supply is artificially restricted and demand is artificially inflated. Each woman has just one-in-twenty-five odds of winning, and she also forgoes a month or so of normal dating activity (and perhaps a job as well) in order to play--and she hasn't even seen the guy! It's dehumanizing and a long shot at best, so who would do such a thing?
Sadly, every year I see dozens of very smart people do exactly this--voluntarily subject themselves to situations with high competition and low odds of success (online job postings, most commonly), desperately hitching their hopes to one bachelor at a time until someone gives them a chance. There are numerous downsides to this approach, but the worst of all is the toll it takes on one's confidence. I have seen men and women who've lived their whole lives at the top of their class be shaken by the job search to the point where they will accept anything just to make the anxiety stop. The better job searchers may seriously pursue three to five opportunities at one time, but if none pan out they too must start over again from scratch."
Like several others on this thread have shared, you're not alone. Thank you for posting your journey so that we all know we have others in the same boat.
Feel free to message me with your progress. You're determined; now it's just a matter of using your determination in the most fitting fashion moving forward. You've got this. We all do.
Anonymous
07/31/19 at 6:35AM UTC
Wow. Thank you for that. :)
Carrie TopolskiEmpowering women and beyond!
2.34k
07/25/19 at 6:04PM UTC
Maybe get a second opinion from someone else? Hang in there... your time will come.
briverad
12
07/19/19 at 10:31PM UTC
This could be an option: https://www.utc.com/en/Careers/career-paths/experienced-professionals/reempower-program?utm_source=Fairygodboss+Newsletter&utm_campaign=b8da9eea41-Customer+Highlight+6.18.19&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6ce8d59c3c-b8da9eea41-
Anonymous
07/19/19 at 9:05PM UTC
Did you see this being offered by FGB: https://fairygodbossjuly.vfairs.com/?partnerref=notification_VCF
Anonymous
07/19/19 at 9:03PM UTC
I recommend the resources provided by iRelaunch for people relaunching their careers after a career break. (Full disclosure: I work for iRelaunch.) Many of the resources are free. Our "3,2,1, iRelaunch podcast" has many excellent episodes in which people who have successfully relaunched after a career break share their stories, strategies, and wisdom. As Kam said, networking is key, as is getting out of the house and interacting with people face-to-face and telling everyone you know about your plans to return to the workforce. Coincidentally, our podcast episode released today tells one woman's story of doing exactly that. Online applications alone almost never result in a job - you're much better off when someone you know shares your resume with a recruiter at their company in conjunction with you applying online. If you're in the NY area or can get here, we're holding our full-day iRelaunch Return to Work Conference on October 3 at Columbia University. You can learn more on our website irelaunch.com. (The Conference does have a registration fee.) You will reach your goal!
Anonymous
07/19/19 at 8:58PM UTC
Sorry to not sugar coat, but being out of a traditional workplace and over 35/40 is a career derailer. Took me 3 years to get a job after leaving traditional workplace and working part time, freelancing in between mom responsibilities while my husband traveled all week. I did 1099 work to get me through, but by no means was it reliable or greatly lucrative. I did finally get an offer of employment after 1099 contracting at a company after 6 months. This is a way to work back into the employment pool ( but tough if you must pay for healthcare expenses etc) but not a resolution- I still face questions about my gaps in employment and about the contract work/consistency even though all in same industry. Recruiters have a hard time because work history is not linear. Job boards can’t format my resume. I would plan on doing some extra work and targeting your search. Contract out or propose to contract to hire with a contingency agreement built in. Have several people look at your resume for keywords- pay a professional if you can. Type in your Resume into job board or online application, and be sure to use the company’s terminology/keywords about the role from the posting. Lean on your networks. Talk to anyone you know- ask then to introduce you/refer into companies that interest you or may be a good fit. Proactively call into the companies you want to work for- don’t wait for a posting. Because we can’t change perceptions of moms in workforce, and particularly those of moms who take time out or back down from career path to take care of our kids, it means a harder work for us to prove our value to these companies! Best of Luck!
BrookieI assist momentum so that we never stop growing
414
07/31/19 at 12:41AM UTC
"Proactively call into the companies you want to work for- don’t wait for a posting."
Bingo! People seldom like cold calls anymore during their busy days, however, from the career books I've delved into as of late, postings are certainly not the answer--setting up informational interviews with employees at your interested places of employment are.
Nina B.Shifting my focus to entrepreneurial endeavors.
30
07/19/19 at 5:49PM UTC
I'm right there with you! Job hunting is for the BIRDS! Though I have gotten lazy with my discontent and have only applied to 20 jobs. I feel like I am on a constant gerbil wheel; just spinning not getting anywhere! I think job hunting rates as the top, least enjoyable aspects of adulthood! I like the idea of a spreadsheet to keep track of job history. There is also a tool, I have yet to use, but I am about to try it: https://www.jobscan.co/ I have also worked with a bunch of recruiters that has worked in the past but they all work for the companies that pay them and are not at all concerned about the employees ( if anyone knows of a good recruiting firm that balances employee/employer, please share! - there is a huge need for this; an agency that equally cares about the potential employees that help them get their placement fee!) As far as the "hang in there" advice and the kick in the pants ideas, I go to Jen Sincero's books, "You are a Badass" series for inspiration! I have also focused on learning, joining local groups that interest me, and volunteering to keep up on my networking and skills. And with that, I'll leave you with this: “If you’re serious about changing your life, you’ll find a way. If you’re not, you’ll find an excuse.”
― Jen Sincero, You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life
Anonymous
07/18/19 at 5:59PM UTC
Thank you to everyone for your replies. It does help to know I'm not the only one dealing with this (which I knew, but it's still nice to hear). I have a job coach who is full of good advice; it's just tough out here, and sometimes my batteries run low. Thanks for the recharge. :)
Kam
33
07/18/19 at 5:47PM UTC
Hang in there. It's never easy to wait and maintaining hope can be the hardest thing. At those times, you need to dig into your database of accomplishments and remind yourself of all the other times in your life that you have overcome adversity. If you are still here, still standing, then you have survived every single one of your bad days to date and that is HUGE. Take a moment to really celebrate your resilience and ability to keep moving forward. What we say to our self when we feel low in spirit should be the same words of encouragement and compassion that we find so easy to tell others. "You're amazing. You are capable of accomplishing great things. This doesn't define you - who you are is so much more than the work that you do."
When you're ready to dive back into your search, here are some things to consider:
1. Check out returnship programs - more employers recognizing the value of candidates that may have left the traditional workforce for a period of time to be caregivers or entrepreneurs. You might be a great fit for one of these programs.
2. Network, network, network - you never know who can connect you to a great hiring opportunity. It can be a friend, family member, previous customer, former coworker, a new contact through professional organization, or even a vendor. Don't focus solely on submitting applications - make sure you are putting the time into cultivating your network and identifying people that might get you closer to the kind of job you want to have. Similarly, until the right job opportunity comes along, look for ways you can help people in your network. Share the knowledge you do have. Someone you know might be looking to transition from a 9-5 job to a freelance role. What you know is valuable - share it! That generosity will eventually make its way back to you.
3. When you do apply online, customize your resume - you are up against applicant tracking systems that are scanning for key words. Highlight the key terms in a job posting (especially anything listed as a requirement) and ask yourself can I come up with 2 bullet points from my work history to support that I have these skills, competencies, or capabilities. I like to keep a big spreadsheet of all my work history and then bucket my experience by key terms (project management, communication, analysis, sales, management, etc.). This makes it easier for me to edit my resume to include bullet points that are directly related to those key terms. It's more work up front, but eventually you develop a knack for customizing your resume for each job you apply to and you take less time.
Ariana NunezSprints and meetings in NYC.
388
07/24/19 at 3:17PM UTC
Didn't know Return-ship Programs existed. Thank you!
Mayna Ng-Kao
14
07/20/19 at 12:34AM UTC
Yes, as Kam mentioned -- go the returnship route as I know this career re-entry resource does help those like you and I in this transition.
There are companies that are seeing the wealth of talent within the return-to-work and transitional career aspirants sector.
please don't ever give up! you are stronger than you know!
Anonymous
07/18/19 at 5:52PM UTC
I love the idea of the spreadsheet of different points for each job by category. That's a fantastic idea! Thanks, Kam!
Ariana NunezSprints and meetings in NYC.
388
07/18/19 at 2:09PM UTC
I'm there with you too. Look at each rejection as a blessing. That you dodged a bullet.
User deleted comment on 07/20/19 at 2:40AM UTC
Ariana NunezSprints and meetings in NYC.
388
07/24/19 at 3:13PM UTC
Trust me I understand, GrammarGoddess. I was giving her words of encouragement. I can be pessimistic but what good will it do? I'm assuming she came on this platform looking for encouragement and advice.
I am currently at a dead end job and I have been interviewing actively for over 5 years. You think I don't want to get up and leave? But that's not how things work. You do what you can and hope for the best. At least, that's what I think.
Nancie ShumanHippy dippy Princess out to change the world!
803
07/18/19 at 3:15AM UTC
I am in similar situation, in that I have been running my own business for the last 10 years and am focusing my intention on transitioning back into Corporate (or obtaining a Corporate Client,) this year. It can actually seem quite HARD!!!! What is working for me, along with shooting fish in a barrel while blindfold, is to identify companies which have the ethos I want to work for and with. At the moment, I have identified Virgin as one of the main groups. Not only because their Founder has a people first attitude, which is HUGE, but because every person I know who has worked for them has nothing but good things to say. Now I have been doing some old fashioned research and networking, including watching their various websites for job openings. I am receiving some decent feedback.
As I am doing this (and Virgin isn't the only company,) I am also looking via traditional means, and I have taken time to ask for resume assessments. The feedback has been great, although recruiters still don't know what to do with me!
Hope this has helped! You will find the perfect job for you!
BrookieI assist momentum so that we never stop growing
414
07/31/19 at 12:33AM UTC
It sounds like you're headed in the right direction with research, networking, and identifying fitting companies for you. Well done! You said something that jumped out at me when you uttered, " The feedback has been great, although recruiters still don't know what to do with me!" For that, I am sharing pages 60-61 from the phenomenal career book, Switchers by Dr. Dawn Graham...
"Once you identify the basic ingredients that make up your expertise, reassemble those ingredients to speak to your new audience. Show how you can solve the pain points in their company. It's likely you have more transferable skills than the hirer initially realizes, and you need to do the work to spell those skills out for the employer. Get them to look beyond the surface of titles. It's your job to show them that when you boil the roles down to their most basic components, they really aren't so far apart."
I was surprised to learn that recruiters aren't able to fill in the blanks on their own, but they truly can't. This is where you come in with creating what Dr. Dawn Graham calls your 1. Brand Value Proposition and 2. Unique Selling Point, or USP, that sets you apart from others who do similar work.
I highly recommend scoring her book-- you can search on WorldCat.org to find where you can score a copy for free at your local library.
I'm rooting for you. Keep me posted, and go get 'em, Nancie!
© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.