I am a 55-year-old sales professional who is unemployed and looking for a next step. For 25 years I pushed hard in the NYC market and was successful. Over the course of my career, I have developed a toolbox of different skills outside of direct selling (hiring/developing/managing a team, budgeting, negotiation, project management, ect.). I made a very good living. With 10 years to go until I retire, I am looking to kick it down a notch and find an opportunity that is local (commuting to NYC is not fun), and not as aggressively fast paced as my past roles. I am willing to take a substantial pay cut to do something that I enjoy and have a better work/life balance. How do I communicate this to a potential employer without sounding like a slacker? Any advice would be appreciated.

5 Comments

1. Barb HansenJune 7,2024 at 11:58PM UTC

   Not to sound trite, but I think you're story is just fine as is.

   I don't think anyone would argue that commuting into any large city is annoying and wanting to remove that annoyance from your life makes sense. Also working in the fast paced world of that large city is <insert whatever adjective works for you> and you're looking to remove that <adjective> from your life.

   You're not saying that you're going to change your work ethic, you're just looking for something closer to home or an opporunity that offers a change of pace or <insert whatever your goals are>.

   You got this! :)

2. Lisa FreyJune 10,2024 at 3:27PM UTC

   Thank you for your reply Barb. This job search has been rougher than I anticipated. I appreciate your advice.

3. Barb HansenJune 11,2024 at 6:38PM UTC

   Lisa,

   it's tough out there. If you ever want to chat to an outsider (me) about anything related to your job search, I'm always open to meet and zoom. I'm not a career coach or a resume writer, I'm just a woman in the tech business who is happy to listen and perhaps give you a "fresh eyes" view of an issue you're facing. Best to connect with me on LinkedIn (url in my FGB bio), I tend to look at messages on LinkedIn more than I do here on FGB :)

4. AnonymousJune 10,2024 at 5:30PM UTC

   Simply saying you're looking for a local job is fine. They are likely also local and hate going to the city.

5. Lisa FreyJune 20,2024 at 2:55PM UTC

   Hello All,

   Thank you for your feedback and encouragement! I recently applied to a local creative agency and was very honest in my cover letter - First paragraph: "Why do I want to work at XXX? After 20+ years working in NYC, I am eager to bring my experience and talent to the local market (plus, commuting into the city sucks)." A bit unorthodox but it got me an interview. The interviewer was sympathetic, because he also commuted into the city for years and completely got it.

   Thanks again!

   Lisa