After 23 years with the same organization, I’m officially stepping into the job search again. It’s a strange mix of emotions — gratitude for the years of growth, pride in the work I’ve done, and the reality that starting over after two decades is tougher than people realize. The job market looks very different today, and navigating it has been both challenging and eye‑opening.

6 Comments

1. Cynthia MarkeySeptember 11,2026 at 6:54PM UTC

   I was laid off from a job after 24 years in 11/2024. Starting over is tough. I was out of work for 9 months and have been in my new job for a little over a year now.

   While I was unemployed, I learned a lot:

   -Make a spreadsheet to keep track of your job applications and their status. It will keep you from applying to the same job twice, and let you know how responsive a prospective employer is.

   -Ghost jobs are a real thing. You will see job postings that look awesome, apply for them, hear nothing or get a rejection, then see the same job continually reposted.

   -Beware of scams. If a recruiter reaches out to you proactively and wants to charge you $$$ to "optimize your resume" run away!!!!

   -Every online application wants you to create an online account. It's annoying, but oh well.

   -Because of ATS systems, it's pretty much necessary to create a tailored resume for every application. Generative AI is good at this. I really don't love AI, but you kind of have to fight fire with fire here.

   -To add to the above - when using Generative AI to make tailored resumes, read every word of what it gives you before using it, because it WILL hallucinate and start creating jobs you never worked at with duties you aren't qualified for.

   -Go to all the webinars. Fairy God Boss has historically had some good ones, LinkedIn Premium has them, and other sites do too. They may or may not be helpful. They WILL keep your mind engaged, which is important!!!

   -If your former employer has given you access to any sort of outplacement agency, use it - I had 3 months with LHH, and I went to every free online webinar they offered. Their career coach wasn't very helpful, but she was friendly.

   -Don't just job search on one platform. Use all of them. I was heavily active on LinkedIn, but I found my job on an Indeed posting.

   -Take advantage of unemployment if you are eligible, but make sure you have taxes properly deducted or you will get hosed come tax-time.

   -If you got a severance payment from your former employer and it was a lump sum near the end of a calendar year, prepare to get hosed come tax-time.

   -Try not to get discouraged. It can get really hard, but there is light at the end of the tunnel!

2. AnonymousSeptember 13,2026 at 4:22AM UTC

   You have practical exposure to the topics mentioned. I would suggest that other industry-specific compliance frameworks and regulations exposure also be added to your resume by upskilling, if you want to widen your search.

3. MiaSeptember 14,2026 at 6:55PM UTC

   23 years is a huge chapter to close, and it makes total sense this feels different from job-searching in your 20s or 30s — the tools, the expectations, even how resumes get read have all shifted. One thing that helps: lead your resume/LinkedIn headline with the outcomes of your risk/compliance work (dollars protected, audits passed, teams built) rather than just titles — hiring managers skim fast and that's what jumps out. Also worth tightening your "why now" story before interviews so it reads as intentional, not defensive. Wishing you a fast, good landing — that kind of fraud/risk/compliance experience is exactly what a lot of teams are short on right now.

4. Stanley NelsonSeptember 17,2026 at 12:37PM UTC
   That is a massive transition after 23 years, so it's totally normal to feel a bit of whirring about how much the hiring landscape and applicant tracking systems have shifted. The market loves to throw automated hoops at people right now, but solid operational leadership and deep expertise in risk, compliance, and controls never go out of style. Wishing you the absolute best with the hunt—hang in there and trust the experience you're bringing to the table. Join us on our website and take advantage of an exclusive welcome reward.
5. Stanley NelsonSeptember 22,2026 at 2:17PM UTC
   By the way, if you need a fresh perspective on your resume or cover letter to suit modern ATS requirements, let me know—I’m always happy to help navigate that bureaucracy. Explore our website and activate a rewarding welcome offer.
6. Ngát TrầnOctober 2,2026 at 6:50AM UTC

   Wishing you all the best in this new chapter. After 23 years of experience, you have so much knowledge and strength to bring to your next opportunity. I hope you find a role that truly values what you have to offer.