How do you keep from giving up?

Anonymous

February 9,2023 at 9:55PM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

How do you keep from giving up?

I’ve been interviewing for the past 2+ years, trying to advance my career. I’ve worked in healthcare for over a decade in the clinical side. I got my masters in healthcare administration about 18 months ago. I work closely with my manager to get experience with things like budgets and employee experience. I have amazing interviews with positive feedback, that I’m a great candidate but they went with the person with experience. How do you get more experience when no one is willing to take a chance on you? I’m feeling so completely discouraged and defeated.

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

8 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

8 Comments

Join the conversation

AnonymousFebruary 10,2023 at 3:02AM UTC
Make sure you're applying to realistic jobs as well. I'm trying to hire right now and several candidates have a similar background to what you're describing. I get going for stretch jobs, but when 60% of the job description is specialized and clearly something they have never done (and another 30% is not what they think it is, but only people in the field would know that), I don't understand why they are applying.
Consider reaching out to your alumni association. Good luck finding something that's a good fit for your interests and experience.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 10,2023 at 5:22AM UTC
I'm so sorry that you're having such a hard time. But there is some good news here. Your resume is obviously doing it's job because it's generating interest and you're getting interviews. You're getting positive feedback so you must be interviewing fairly well.
Yes to working on broadening your skillset by getting experience with budgets (no exp with that is a dealbreaker a lot of times).
I'm not exactly sure what kind of clinical setting you're working in - hospital? Big hospital? Smaller hospital?
What have you done so far in your job search? Where do you have your resume posted? How often are you updating those profiles?
Is your LinkedIn profile filled out and up to snuff? Do you have the green “open to work” banner on your LI profile and the other “open to work” indicator that recruiters with a LinkedIn Recruiter license can see?
Being a clinician on LI, would give you a leg up as that is one of the industries that traditionally does not have a high participation rate there (it's increased a bit in the last few years).
Are there specialty job sites you could be using? Do you have a degree? If so, are you utilizing the University's job site or alumni network?
It's a numbers game and it just takes that one yes. Please don't give up.
AnonymousFebruary 10,2023 at 3:40PM UTC
Have you tried to see if there is something at your current job you can be promoted to? Since your manager is helping you get experience, they might be able to help you open doors without having to leave the company.
Ashley BoazFebruary 10,2023 at 3:47PM UTC
Have you looked at quality/data positions? This is a growing area, especially for those with clinical backgrounds. Also, look at FQHCs, these health centers are growing and expanding based on the increasing amount of reporting, CQMs and more.
AnonymousFebruary 12,2023 at 3:36PM UTC
Depending on when someone leaves/gets fired/quits abruptly, etc. is magical thinking. It is frustrating to job seekers to hear this, it's basically being told to "wait our turn", and feels like FOREVER.
AnonymousFebruary 12,2023 at 6:32PM UTC
Keep going, you are early in your career and should leverage your managers experience and consultation to move ahead even if it means leaving. Share with her what you want and find a mentor that can hold your hand through the many interviews and rejections. You will find the right place...it just may take time.
Mandy KiernanFebruary 13,2023 at 1:47PM UTC
Congrats on your MS! As someone with leadership experience in clinical healthcare (research), I can say that some companies appear to weigh "on the job experience" over formal education, and some weigh vice-versa. The best approach is a little of both, which is sounds like you have, or are gaining.
Have you gone back to your college or university to their career center? They will often have a lot of great advice, links and connections you could utilize. As an alumni, you can utilize these services.
Do you have a mentor in your field? It sounds like you're working with your manager on some specific gaps but is there someone who understands your career goals? Does your company offer mentoring programs or short-term stretch work assignments? These may be great ways to get additional exposure. Consider conveying during your interview process your hunger to learn and do more.
As other posters have said, hang in there. Patience is key but so is advocating for yourself to keep learning and climbing.
AnonymousFebruary 13,2023 at 2:41PM UTC
Congratulations on everything you are doing thus far, your new degree and your perseverance. You are advancing your career everyday, whether you notice that or not. I agree with the recommendations to get a mentor. Are there lateral ways you could gain more experience, for example any volunteer organisations within your field looking for help? And keep track of the experience you are gaining, literally write it down, so you will have ample evidence to share with interviewers when they want to doubt you. Keep going for it!