Need a career change.

Anonymous

March 25,2022 at 4:14PM UTC

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Need a career change. I have been a corporate event planner for the last 8 year am as high as I can go in this role and burnt out. My company has great benefits but the job no longer suits me or my young family. I get anxious at the thought of having to travel for events and my husband has a demanding job.

We have been working remotely since the start of the pandemic and the thought of having to go back to the office doesn’t sit well with me. Remote work works for my family.

I don’t know how to translate my skill set to other jobs. I have been applying to marketing jobs, virtual assistant, program management jobs to either get no response or nothing past the first interview.

I am starting to get discouraged and feel stuck in a dead end job that pulls me away from my family. Not working is not an option.

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Angie CallenMarch 25,2022 at 5:02PM UTC
My first thought for you is - could there be another role within the company that would allow for an internal pivot? Since they have great benefits, and it's more the JOB than the company, this could be one option.
It sounds like you're getting a little traction if you've had an interview, but I think focusing on one or two of the alternative options (you've identified some logical targets) will help you craft better, more specific messaging in your resume and your interviews.
This is also a case where a coach or resume writer may be able to help you get out of your head/own way to brand you really well and help you really connect with a new career track. I say that not as a shameless plug (since I am one of those), but because I've seen firsthand how helpful an outside perspective can be to people who have had one specific career for most of their professional lives and want a change. It's almost impossible to remove those blinders by yourself - and also...it takes TIME to do what you're doing. Patience is one of the hardest aspects of a job search, and you're doing some things right. Build on that momentum and KEEP GOING!
Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterMarch 25,2022 at 5:06PM UTC
What is your question so we can help you?
AnonymousMarch 25,2022 at 5:24PM UTC
Working with a career coach to help you retool your resume fir a pivot would help not only give your resume a boost but help you position yourself to move into a new area of work building on what you already have.
AnonymousMarch 29,2022 at 2:35PM UTC
Where can someone find a reputable career coach?
Priya KeefeMarch 25,2022 at 5:30PM UTC
I can relate. If you attended university, have you tried contacting them? University career centers also support alumni.
Jackie RukaMarch 25,2022 at 5:30PM UTC
Pivoting is somewhat of an art form. And asking yourself important questions such as what excites me? What companies have a culture that suits me?
What are my strengths and passions?
Feel free to contact me if you need help, I specialize in helping women create a life and career she loves!
Barb HansenMarch 25,2022 at 6:11PM UTC
if you haven't already, you might want to have your resume re-done by someone who specializes in career pivots.
One would think that you have plenty of transferrable skills (account management, program management, light project management skills) but perhaps your resume is not highlighting those skills.
I suggest careerbenders.com / Angie Callum (she's a member of this site). Angie and her team specialized in mid-career pivots and she is great. I can't speak to their current pricing model (I used her about 4 /5 years ago) but they offer a free consultation.
If you haven't read this book already, I suggest the book "What Color is Your Parachute." It's been around for decades (continuously updated) and it's a career-pivoting classic with lots of tools to help you figure out what to do next.
good luck
Oh, here is a tip that worked for me pivoting out of the hard sciences. Look for jobs in event-management software companies. Not event management job but jobs like program management, account management, product management, where your skills in Event Management are viewed as a huge bonus to those software companies.
I pivoted out of the hard sciences into a product job at a health startup. I knew nothing about business but at that point in the company's growth, I was the 2nd person on staff with a medical background. It was me and the CEO/founder who was a doctor, and he was thrilled to have another medical person on the team.
Sarah Cleveland, SPHR, ACCMarch 25,2022 at 10:23PM UTC
I would consider networking for new roles leveraging your skillset and finding a role that can be remote or at the very least, hybrid with no travel.
Networking is the best way to find a new role.
Rebecca AliMarch 25,2022 at 10:53PM UTC
Project management, vendor management, customer experience all came to mind when I read your post. If you need a steady income, then I think you've already been given good suggestions here. If you could free lance, contract or start your own consulting business, that's also an option. I don't know where you live but maybe make a list of all the nonprofit events, large civic events etc. and see if anything would match to your skills, then maybe volunteer to help with one to get your foot in the door. For example, our local zoo does large fundraising events multiple times per year, so I'm sure they have an events team. Good luck. If it's any consolation, you're definitely not alone.
JenniferMarch 26,2022 at 11:02PM UTC
As a corporate event planner, I am sure that you have made connections with many companies. Have you considered looking into the positions at some of these companies? If something interests you, you can reach out to your contacts to learn more and ask if they'd be open to referring you. An employee referral matters a lot at many orgs, and typically the employee who refers you would receive a bonus if you're hired/remain employed there for X months. *This typically has to be done before you apply. There may be a separate link from the employee that you'd use, or you would list them on the application. Either way, need to speak to the person beforehand.
Good luck!
Sabrina CortesMarch 27,2022 at 3:59PM UTC
I'm so sorry that your job interferes with your family time and is making you burnt out. I can relate.
I like the job suggestions that others mentioned in their comments.
I'm a professional Resume Writer and if you're applying to similar jobs, stick with a Reverse-Chronological resume format. On the other hand, if you're moving completely away from your role and industry, I'd suggest a skills-based resume, also called a Combination or Hybrid resume.
The most important thing when applying for jobs is to tailor your resume to the job posts. This greatly increases the chances of your resume passing the applicant tracking system (ATS) and getting your resume into the hands of a human Recruiter or Hiring Manager.
I hope this helps. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions, ok?
Best of luck to you!!
AnonymousMarch 29,2022 at 2:34PM UTC
I could use your resume writing help! ?
Sabrina CortesMarch 29,2022 at 3:02PM UTC
Hey there!
I'd love to help you with it! Feel free to email me at sabrina@writewithsabrina.com. You can also visit my website (writewithsabrina.com) for samples of my work and the packages that I offer.
Let me know if you have any questions, ok?
Have a great day!