I really need some guidance.

Angela Starks

September 27,2021 at 1:07AM UTC

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I really need some guidance. I am 51 years old and am pretty much starting over again. Right now I am working from home as a customer service rep. I have 20+ years of customer service, accounts receivable, technical support, training employees on software and hardware, root cause analysis, money handling, and balance financial records. What I'm really good at and are my passions are training people on using software/hardware and root cause analysis. I went to school for business management and computer information systems and received associates degrees for both many years ago. However, the only jobs I get offered is customer service. I would really like to get into one of the two areas that I love and am good at. Don't get me wrong I'm really good at customer service, but I would prefer to work the reset of my days in a career that I love. Any suggestions on how I can get into the positions I love? Any suggestions on what training I should take? Would love a mentor.

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AnonymousSeptember 27,2021 at 2:55PM UTC
You can start by restructuring your resume to highlight your experience in training and root cause analysis. If your entire resume says something like "customer service rep", hiring managers will assume that's what you know and what you want, so if you can change that initial perception of your experience you may have a better shot getting your foot in the door.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistSeptember 28,2021 at 1:48AM UTC
What have you done so far in your job search?
Erin Thomas, Career + Leadership CoachSeptember 28,2021 at 5:34PM UTC
Sounds like you should pursue:
-IT specialist and training jobs
-business analyst jobs
when you find roles like these, focus in on customizing your resume heavility to convey your expertise in these areas. Use key words from job description and tell the story they want to hear (and use the position description as your guide - which precisely tells you the story they want).
Also focus in on networking by connecting with other people in these roles and companies that hire these types of roles (that you’d like to work with).
Optimize your LinkedIn around these functions also (similar to your resume) and use keywords so recruiters can find you. State that you are looking for these roles in your About section.
Feel free to connect w me for any additional guidance or support:
Www.careerandleadershipcoaching.com
Angela StarksSeptember 29,2021 at 2:05AM UTC
Hello Everyone. I have thought about being a consultant, but I do need to have benefits. So that is not an option. I have searched for RCA jobs but the ones I find are wanting way more education than I have. That's where I was getting a little depressed about. I have always had jobs where I was a jack of all trades because when it comes to financial, IT or anything analytical I pick it up and run with it. I work well with other departments and coworkers. I just don't have the education or the self confidence (working on the latter). I've been doing serious research these last few days. I've started revamping my resume. But I feel I may have to much on it. Erin, thanks for the advice on the resume update. Joan, I have updated my LinkedIn and resume, posted my resume on state and other job sites (Indeed, etc.) and researched positions that may be something I am interested in. I appreciate everyone here that has given me advice and suggestions.
Rene LetendreOctober 3,2021 at 1:32PM UTC
I have very similar strengths to what you describe, and recently pursued and landed a consulting job. There are consulting roles where you are a W-2 employee with benefits, so I would not exclude any consulting roles. Some of those roles are contracts, without benefits, but not all.
Good luck in your search!