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Your Questions Answered
As a career and life coach who works with women through mid-career crossroads and transitions, I thought I would start this thread to open up a dialogue. Do you have any questions I can answer?
Anonymous
07/20/20 at 12:49AM UTC
I am considering switching gears, too, and realize step one is to do some soul searching. I have a few ideas, but am also curious about trends or shortages or demand. I am a skilled writer, very creative. In a nutshell, I want a creative opportunity that would allow me to continue to work remotely/independently. I am the primary breadwinner in my household so I'm not (yet) thinking about going back to school (I have a BS in communications). But I would do a shorter certification course... just not sure where to target.
Jackie GhedineCoach for Gen X Women | Jack Russell of Humans
5.75k
07/20/20 at 11:43AM UTC
When women think about switching gears, the first thing I hear is, 'it's so overwhelming.' Bringing that energy to the table will make the process daunting instead of exploratory and exciting.
List what you love to do and what you would like to be part of your day-to-day job that fuels you. You've identified writing, creativity, what else.
Then start exploring job openings with those skills and just read through, which parts inspire you, which drain you? What sparks your interest? Where can you see yourself?
Once you've narrowed down the options, find out what you need to make that transition.
Keep a log of all your discoveries and be methodical about it so you can come out of the forest with your compass pointing in the right direction.
Debbie Beckham Ruth
13
07/19/20 at 4:05PM UTC
If I have no gaps in my resume, is a functional format still the best for me? I have some early experience that could be more relevant, but it is more than 10 years ago
Jackie GhedineCoach for Gen X Women | Jack Russell of Humans
5.75k
07/20/20 at 11:39AM UTC
If you want to include your earlier experience because it's relevant than I would suggest a chronological resume which is also the best choice if you don't have gaps in your resume.
Functional resumes are best if you have gaps or are early on in your career.
Personally, I'm not a fan of functional resumes for experienced professionals. Your resume should showcase the results from your skills, not listing your skills. Every line should earn the right to be there. Think about how did this positively impact my team, my company, the bottom line.
Debbie Beckham Ruth
13
07/21/20 at 5:55PM UTC
Thank you!!
Jackie GhedineCoach for Gen X Women | Jack Russell of Humans
5.75k
07/18/20 at 3:15PM UTC
What an exciting next step for you and it sounds like something you're passionate about. Have you started looking to expand for career opportunities yet?
Yaca AttwoodDatabase Administrator
323
07/18/20 at 2:34PM UTC (Edited)
I've opted for active retirement, as most people over 60 are personae non gratiae in IT....I'm interested in Criminal Justice; I mentored three women from 2000-2019 at the California Institution for Women (CIW), Corona, and am currently taking Criminal Justice classes at Chaffey Community College and really enjoying it - I was an Oracle/UNIX DBA for 20+ years and my last day was 1 July 2020; I will be 62 in about a week ;-)
My bachelor's is in Sociology (Temple University), my master's in Theology (Loyola Marymount)....
Crystal Cummings
117
07/18/20 at 5:58PM UTC
I love this variety. I'm an accountant, I built mine and my kid's computer and owned a small OEM ages ago, but my BA is in Forensic Psych.... REALLY confuses people when I interview.
I dropped IT because it never seemed to pay, especially when it was my work against a males, regardless of their level being html only and mine being PHP, SQL and CSS.
I switched from Accounting to Psych after getting my associates, triggered a lot from the diversity and law classes I also had to take during the Accounting degree. I was bored mentally and already working in accounting and I found forensic psych fascinating.
Of course, I got loads of encouragement from my advisor as well over the switch (I owe her a beating, tbh - her advice was based on $). 6 months to graduation for my BA, I find that I will have to continue on to a phd level just to make what I was already making in accounting. :-|
Not what I was hoping to hear when schooling is coming out of my own pocket and not even accountants make a lot without a CPA.
It sounds like you will rock in social work (considering you've been doing it for...19 years? wow!), which really has many levels and you sound like you already have awesome credentials for this new avenue. I really wish you the absolute best in this!
Kelli W.Seeking new opportunities for growth & learning
26
07/18/20 at 2:08PM UTC
I left teaching in 2019, as I struggled with handling the emotional toll/burn out that can come with the job. I knew I needed a new career path, but I wanted to make use of skills I already have as well as continue to learn new ones. I think my biggest struggle is placing on my resume what I'm now looking for. I know what I'm good at, but I can't pinpoint exactly what type of job I'm looking for. It also doesn't help I'm desperate in finding a job in general.
Jackie GhedineCoach for Gen X Women | Jack Russell of Humans
5.75k
07/18/20 at 3:13PM UTC
Kelli, it is going to be really important for you to do some digging into the kinds of jobs you want and narrow it down. You want to make it as easy as possible for anyone reviewing your resume to be able to know exactly where to 'place' you within an organization.
Go through job listings, take a look at what interest you and fuels you.
List your skills and how they are unique to you and see where your skill set aligns with the needs of the jobs that interest you.
Craft your story on how those skills transfer to the new position so you can articulate how you can benefit the company.
If you don't have clarity, you can't expect anyone to find it for you.
Good luck.
Shawneeque Pierce
46
07/18/20 at 1:42PM UTC
I copy/paste my post from before...but, always am looking for insight from others..
****repost****
I'm currently an Occupational Therapy Assistant/former Rehab Manager, who lost my job one week before COVID hit. Fortunately, I was able to withstand 90days of unemployment and come out on the other side unscathed financially as I had savings to get me by. I also decided during that time to go back to school and finally get my bachelor's degree, which should be completed summer 2021. I recently went back to work (1 week ago) at a nursing home & I HATE IT!...smh. Most of my experience lies in skilled care & I've managed for the last 10 years, so to be back in a non-managerial capacity is killing me. On top of the fact that I was ready to change aspects of my career anyway (I no longer want to be a hands on clinician), and the restrictions on how we provide care, I'm ready to quit. I really want to move in a more operational or administrative direction in healthcare, but all the jobs I've been seeing requires the bachelor's degree that I currently dont have. How can I possibly transition my career during these trying times?...I really want out of the hands on clinical role I'm in now. Can anyone offer any assistance for me in how I should go about this transition?
Jackie GhedineCoach for Gen X Women | Jack Russell of Humans
5.75k
07/18/20 at 3:10PM UTC
Hi Shawneeque. Unfortunately, I'm not in the healthcare profession, so my knowledge and expertise is limited.
I would apply for the jobs anyway. You are in the midst of getting your bachelor's degree and have a ton of experience that is relative and related.
Interesting fact, men will apply for jobs even when they don't meet 50% of the criteria while women only apply if they meet 90% or more.
Networking will help too, finding people who can recommend you as a smart, dedicated and empathetic professional and leader.
Shawneeque Pierce
46
07/18/20 at 3:45PM UTC
Thank you Jackie for the guidance!...I'm applying to anything that even remotely seems like something I'd be interested in doing....lol...this virus has got the world at a standstill...I wont give up though...
Jackie GhedineCoach for Gen X Women | Jack Russell of Humans
5.75k
07/19/20 at 10:34AM UTC
The timing is tougher than usual but jobs are still happening and work and businesses are moving forward, that's the absolute right attitude, don't give up!
NataliaContinuously Evolving
706
07/17/20 at 9:08PM UTC
Hi ladies, I see a few of you are thinking of making a career shift / change. I created this video of 3 things to do When Thinking of Making a Career Shift, as I have been down this path before. Please see the link to it below where you can copy and paste into your browser. If still having trouble viewing it send me a message and I'll send it that way. And you got this & this is the year of change!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty_E2EnQHHM
Scorpio 360
17
07/17/20 at 1:44PM UTC
First of all thank you for the post! I have worked in the Vacation ownership industry for 12 yrs with one of the world largest corporation. Its been my life and I really don't have have a lot of other skills or schooling to find another job. And personally I have been unhappy with my new position for months, and being unemployed now I am very terrified. When I look for jobs in another field, they are all taylor for college graduates or several years in the field.
The bottom line problem is change of industry is not as easy as it used to be years ago, no one wants to take a chance on you if you don't have the degree or background, especially if you are older than 35 yrs of age.
What do I and many like me do now? Money is very tight and going back to college is not going to pay the bills.
Jackie GhedineCoach for Gen X Women | Jack Russell of Humans
5.75k
07/18/20 at 1:21PM UTC
Hi Scorpio 360. Transitioning to a new career isn't easy but it is extremely common, especially as women get into their 40s and realize that they aren't quite happy with what they are doing any longer.
Do you have any idea what you would like to do next? Have you even narrowed it down?
First, make a list of all the options that might be interesting to you then see what kinds of schooling is necessary. Sometimes certifications (instead of schooling) are enough to put you in the running, other times, it's about how you craft your skills story. People don't recognize that most of their skills are transferable and relevant for other jobs and just haven't figured out how to weave that story together.
When you are looking for a career transition, networking is the best way to get opportunities because blind resumes are difficult.
NataliaContinuously Evolving
706
07/17/20 at 9:08PM UTC
Hi Scorpio360, love your name, see my comment further below on a video I created regarding this.
garland
18
07/17/20 at 1:43PM UTC
I was fired from my most recent "real" job four years ago. I spent the next three sending out hundreds of resumes and applications while sustaining myself through gig work. I decided to press the reset button and am now in grad school earning my license to teach high school art. My big concern at this time is my resume....the past four years mostly consist of these gig jobs and a bit of volunteer work in addition to my education, and I feel insecure about the impression it may make to a potential employer, how do I go about crafting my resume and work history so the last four years don't look like a red mark on a white cashmere sweater? Also how do I approach this situation in interviews if asked about it? Thanks!
Crystal Cummings
117
07/18/20 at 5:37PM UTC
Your "gig" work would be three years of self-employment on a contract basis. It's essentially one job in which you are your own employee. A lot more impressive holding yourself up vs. being a corp employee.
Focus on a couple projects that challenged or were more impressive for you, just to give the awesome highlights and teasers.
garland
18
07/18/20 at 6:22PM UTC
I love this perspective! Thanks Crystal!
Crystal Cummings
117
07/18/20 at 6:42PM UTC
When in doubt ask a friend to review your resume, especially someone who worked with you.
I ended up demanding several of my former coworker's resumes (most of us hit with a downsize) once I saw how... rudimentary they saw themselves. Their self-impressions in their own resume were so generic it was no wonder they were not having much luck getting attention. They got the mechanics, but none of their sheer awesomeness were coming through at all. They thought less of themselves and it showed on paper.
Think of positive feedback you've received from others and incorporate it into your objective, summary, etc... let it soak in too in how you see yourself. Good luck!
Jackie GhedineCoach for Gen X Women | Jack Russell of Humans
5.75k
07/18/20 at 1:16PM UTC
Good morning Garland!
Good for you, what a tremendous step to go back to school.
The fact is you are going back to school so you can get a job you're passionate about, working with kids and teaching art.
When you make a career transition like this, which includes going back to school, your story about the gaps are in place for you.
I was investing what kind of work I wanted to do next and decided to become a freelancer so I could see where my passion was and during this process realized I wanted to go back to school to become an art teacher. The freelance work provided me with the flexibility to work while getting my degree. Your story is fabulous. OWN it with confidence.
garland
18
07/18/20 at 6:23PM UTC (Edited)
I love it!! Thanks Jackie!!
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