I currently work as a Manager in fast food.

Teresa Ward

April 3,2022 at 3:22PM UTC

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I currently work as a Manager in fast food. I've been there for 11 years. I'm about to turn 51 with health issues so it's really starting to get to me.

The restaurant changed hands almost 3 years ago and the new owner took away the only perk I had..vacation time. So I've been working non stop 6 days a week for almost 3 years.

I'm exhausted and totally burnt out physically and mentally and the owner doesn't care. He laughs at me when I tell him I need a break but yet he and his family over Christmas took a 2 week vacation to California. While he was gone I had to work open to close the entire time.

My question is with my work history are there jobs out there that will even give me fighting chance because my almost entire work history is in the food industry? Because of health issues I'm ready to get out of the food industry but still I'm still able to work. I just need a less physical job but no one is giving me the chance.

I'd really love to find an work at home job but not even having luck there ?

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Julie JenningsApril 3,2022 at 6:29PM UTC
I don't know what kind of work you are seeking but think a bit about the skills you acquired in your position - marketing, finance, advertising, interview skills, hiring skills, networking. Could you apply those skills to onboarding, customer service, sales or marketing? Perhaps seek a consultant to assist in that focus ...
AnonymousApril 3,2022 at 7:12PM UTC
What about food administration or inspection? something related but not customer facing?
AnonymousApril 3,2022 at 7:25PM UTC
Have you kept a list of your major and minor accomplishments on the job?
Can you identify the skills that you must have to successfully carry out your job responsibilities?
My guess is that: 1) you work well under pressure and time constraints, 2) you need to communicate well (with employees you manage and upper level management, the customers and vendors), 3) you troubleshoot issues with employees, customers and vendors and escalate matters when needed, 4) you need to be attentive to detail, 5) you maintain inventory control, 6) you provide training to employees, 7) you understand HR related issues, 8) you follow protocols and instructions, 9) you handle money with a high degree of accuracy, 10) you oversee the order and cleanliness of work areas, and 11) you use electronic systems to manage payroll, inventory and customer payments.
Maybe you can strike some items from this list and add to it. You can use such a list to determine your transferable skills. Do you have skills that you do not use on the job that you have been developing outside of work, by volunteering or engaging in a hobby, for instance? Are you able to make a list of what you would like to do and what you would rather not be doing in a new role? Obviously, as you state, you would prefer to not be onsite in a role that is physically demanding, but can you expand on your likes and dislikes? Once you gather all of this information, you can use an online tool like O*NET (https://www.onetonline.org/) to find alternate careers.
Have you thought about customer service, compliance (regarding food safety), recruiting, operations management, accounting, supply chain management, inventory control, buying and/or planning roles? These seem to be job categories that might fit your work background and might offer remote jobs.
Sabrina CortesApril 4,2022 at 1:08AM UTC
I'm a Resume Writer and I'd encourage you like some of the others mentioned - focus on your transferable skills/ customer service skills for your new resume.
Resumes cover the last 10 years of employment. If I were to draft your resume for you, I'd probably create a skills-based resume, known as a Combination/Hybrid resume and I'd also mention your career achievements to help you stand out from other applicants.
I'd also encourage you to tailor your resume to each job that you apply for. Tailoring your resume greatly increases your chances of passing the applicant tracking system (ATS) scanning process. Once you get through this, your resume is then seen by a human Recruiter or Hiring Manager.
I hope this helps! Feel free to ask me any questions, ok?
AnonymousApril 4,2022 at 2:57AM UTC
Would you be open to first moving to a similar job in a better place that would give you vacay? You can then work on transitioning to something out of food service. good luck.
Orlagh CostelloApril 4,2022 at 1:41PM UTC
There are definitely jobs out there for you. Have you thought about working in industry? If you've been managing teams in fast food you could manage teams elsewhere. Loads of transferable skills!!
AnonymousApril 4,2022 at 11:11PM UTC
Have you thought about transitioning into training new managers in operations? Not just at your company but others as well?
Arlene Frances Gottardo (Bryak)April 4,2022 at 11:55PM UTC
WHAT??? 3 YEARS??? That makes absolutely no sense at all. I would keep asking, I guess? He really depends on you a lot.
TaVonApril 5,2022 at 5:52PM UTC
I think you should find out the labor laws for your location because that sounds terrible and find another job if possible.
TaVonApril 5,2022 at 5:53PM UTC
Look into maybe hotel jobs or catering jobs. Maybe a Catering manager or something similiar. I think you have a chance.
AnonymousApril 6,2022 at 12:22PM UTC
I have had success in the veterinary industry hiring from the restaurant/food service industry for front desk (CSR) roles. There are a ton of transferable skills.