While struggling with job searching, I've realized that I don't know how to connect my past professions with my present...

Anonymous

January 21,2023 at 7:07PM UTC

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While struggling with job searching, I've realized that I don't know how to connect my past professions with my present... Before Hurricane Sandy hit NYC and I lost my apartment, I had a clear trajectory. I made it to a director level and was enjoying life in my favorite city.

Since then, I've done what I needed to make ends meet and that even included time abroad. While realizing that my life detoured from my original plans, I've worked in education, finance, media and partnerships for reasons including living abroad, returning to the States during Brexit and trying to find a position near my parents during COVID.

Losing my job in June, my background is such a mix of industries and levels that I'm having a hard telling my brand's story. Part of the reason, I'm not sure what I want or where I need to be. I've read self help books including What Color is My Parachute and found them helpful but I'm still struggling with a road map.

There's a part of me that wants the opportunity to reclaim a life that I loved while realizing that I can't go back. Even if I ended up in NYC again, it wouldn't be the same as I left. That being said, I miss the quality of life that it bestowed. I love entertainment, music and enjoying the spontaneity of pop up events and exhibits that Time Out provided each week.

I'm currently living in a smaller city without the type of prospects my metropolis-centric resume conveys. I ended up in this area due to the pandemic and I'm grateful for the safety net it provided. I was fortunate to land a position that although not in my field, I climbed the ranks, reaching the glass ceiling for advancement due to a small department.

I've tried remote work but what I'm seeing on the job boards is mostly hybrid in my field (marketing) and the remote work requires different skill sets that would require learning on the job. I have taken the time to get certified in Hubspot courses to enhance my years in the industry.

I'm so confused regarding what to do at this point. How can I take a mostly publishing and entertainment marketing background and fit it into other fields? I'm open to relocating but I'm not living in an area that has that type of sectors and when trying to interview in other cities, I'm not local.

With all the layoffs in NYC, I'm reluctant to relocate without a job. Sorry for the long rant but I've put in the work to identify what I want but I'm unsure how to make it happen? I don't want to passively take positions again simply to have another job; this time, I want to take control of my career.

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RiaJanuary 21,2023 at 7:54PM UTC
Your experience would be transferable to a digital marketing, digital content creator or social media director position. Those types of positions are available in the healthcare industry. Companies like Quest Diagnostics which continues to acquire subsidiaries needs good marketing people. Also check out CVS which has become a giant. It has acquired Aetna and Signify. Restructure your resume so that you position yourself as a successful marketing executive who can add value to companies seeking to enhance their brand. One other position I neglected to mention was product marketing manager. Those aforementioned companies also have positions in that area. Also check out Danaher (medical device) which owns Beckman Coulter and other subsidiaries. Most positions are remote and pay well.
Vanessa HagerbaumerJanuary 21,2023 at 8:46PM UTC
Hi Anon, my heart goes out to you as it seems like you've been through a lot - Sandy, job loss, being not ideally located geographically for your field - much of which was outside your control.
You say you're "struggling with a road map" and "how to make it happen" in part because you don't like your current choices (remote work choices not being applicable, not wanting to relocate without a job).
What is it costing you to wish your choices were different when they can't be so?
AnonymousJanuary 21,2023 at 10:51PM UTC
Thank you, Vanessa. I appreciate your support. In a perfect world, I would return to NYC and find a position in entertainment marketing or publishing. I made the mistake of staying put instead of relocating when I first lost my job in June.
At that time, I had more savings but wanted to find a position here as my parents are getting older and I wanted to be local for them. I made it through rounds of interviews for a lot of jobs and different levels to be repeatedly told that my experience is 'impressive' but not for those sectors and unfortunately, they are the types of companies here.
In addition, I had an opportunity present itself that was first postponed and then cancelled right before the holidays. I feel that I'm struggling what to do now as I need to find a job but I'm worried that once again, I'll be forced to take a position due to circumstances rather than what's in best interest for my career.
Due to more recent positions, I feel that recruiters don't see past those roles to what else I can offer the companies. My past experience is better aligned with what I want to do but it's considered 'old' and before the pandemic..
While I realize that even if I was back in NYC it would take time to find a position, my background is more tailored to NYC and London due to my 15 years combined in those cities than my current location. I'm worried that I'll continue get through to final or later rounds only to be dismissed due to my lack of work experience in my city and my overall work history being in other fields that don't exist here. How can I go but at the same time afford to stay?
AnonymousJanuary 23,2023 at 4:00PM UTC
You have a job. You are lucky.
AnonymousJanuary 21,2023 at 11:58PM UTC
Many moving parts here, with quite a few pluses:
-You’ve always found work and advanced.
-If, after reflection, you truly wish to return to your earlier career and/or to New York City, those are clear objectives for you to center on.
***
I’d suggest for the moment that you take a deep breath, clear your head, and do some additional self-assessment.
1)If you want to focus on publishing and entertainment, do so. In addition to New York for entertainment, what about Los Angeles or cities with well-known regional symphonies and theater companies? Washington, DC has National Public Radio, the Smithsonian Museum system, a number of theaters, a symphony and numerous publishers of reference materials, most legal or political.
2) If you want to explore alternative fields: do some journaling about your current and previous jobs, education, extra-curriculars and hobbies, going back to childhood, if needed. What types of activities and environments suit you best? The patterns that you find will help you to identify jobs you might enjoy.
3)More on Location. Does it have to be New York City (fine, if so!) or would other major cities provide what you need? Research other cities and their amenities to establish your geographic scope in light of the career requirements you’ve identified as a result of your journaling.
4) You’re at a great time in the business cycle to relax, reassess and chart your own course. First, the economy is turning downward, so it’s a good time to take some time to reflect. Second, the economic upheavals of the past several years have made employers more receptive to those seeking to change careers or to return to an earlier career.
5) With respect to seeking jobs in New York or another city from your current location: very doable. Initial interviews can be done remotely. You can also block out some dates to visit New York or other cities of your choice to meet with employers. In other words, no need to move to another city to find a job there.
AnonymousJanuary 24,2023 at 1:30PM UTC
I see some real plus as here. It seems that you are quite talented and no matter who hires you, you rise to the top.... That tells me that you are a shining star. You are all Also intellectually curious which is why you have so many experiences and so much learning under your belt in a wide variety. You mentioned moving closer to your parents during covid. Is that still necessary? Do your parents still need you? If so, then that certainly closes the circle on where you should be targeting to find work. But if you have the freedom to go anywhere now, consider some of the places that others have suggested which are affordable and psychologically comfortable. Something that might not be as lucrative but could draw upon type your answer is a teaching position at the University level. Have you considered something like that? Or working in media?... I think my 1st piece of advice would be for you to identify any limitations on where you can live now.... Because Big city life and all that it offers seems to appeal to you and probably helps to feed your intellectual curiosity. So decide a location that's right for you 1st, and then see if you can rein it in of your experiences to create That concise description of who you are now...
AnonymousJanuary 24,2023 at 3:50PM UTC
Thank you, Anonymous. My parents were sick during COVID so I stayed nearby. Thankfully, both are fine and I have the freedom to relocate. I'm open to other cities as well but know that my background is more tailored for NYC as I've worked there for 10 plus years.
I've tried teaching and marketing for a university and due to the limited options, the positions require college marketing experience. To put into prospective, candidates with already manager or director positions in colleges are applying for those roles to move up in their career in my current city so I'm ruled out in early rounds that I don't have 5 plus years working at a university.
I appreciated your advice!
Katherine Metres Akbar, Interview Coach & Resume ExpertJanuary 24,2023 at 2:41PM UTC
I'm sorry you lost your apartment and the city life you loved. That must have been traumatic.
You say that you have put in the work to identify what you want. However, based on the question that you are asking, involving "other fields," you don't seem to have narrowed it down.
As a career coach when I read your story, I believe I'm seeing a person who doesn't believe they can have what they want. That is keeping you stuck in confusion, because a part of you doesn't accept to give up on what you want.
So I won't be answering your question. Instead, I urge you to commit to what you want, which I believe is to return to NYC. In that case, you won't need to shoehorn your background into other fields.
Repeat after me: I can have exactly the life I want. All I need to do is figure out the strategy, and other people can support me on that.
I recommend practicing The Secret, which basically means being excited and grateful now that you have (in your mind for now) the perfect job and perfect apartment in NYC. In other words, conjure up the feeling of having all that you want and see it in your mind's eye. This sets your brain up to match reality to your vision.
You do not have to relocate there without a job, although being there would be helpful. You can fire up your NYC network and see if anyone would like someone to contribute to their rent for a few weeks while you are there hitting the pavement, networking and interviewing. That way you could put NYC on your cover letter, resume, and LinkedIn profile. If this is not feasible, at least indicate in your cover letters that you are planning to relocate to NYC as soon as you find the right position.
I do think you would benefit from career coaching and resume writing services to help you hold the vision of having the life you want, as well as getting you the job search materials you need and helping you overcome obstacles along the way. If this appeals, please look up my company and request a free Career Success Consultation. If you prefer self-help, there are a lot of great resources about job searching on our blog.
I hope this helps. Make your order to the universe for the perfect job and know that it will come back to you as ordered, just like if you made a particular request at a restaurant. N ... Y ... C ... (I am having flashbacks to Annie.) You can do this!
AnonymousJanuary 24,2023 at 3:44PM UTC
Thank you Katherine. In my heart, I know NYC is where I want to be but I've flown down for a few interviews and it didn't work out. That's difficult to do without working and my savings are dwindling fast.
In addition, I've struggled between listing a friend's address in NYC and being upfront that I would relocate. I hate lying but when I'm honest, the conversation ends. Most of my friends in NYC have studio apartments and are married so it wouldn't be feasible for me to couch surf or move in while paying for a period of time.
I've been looking into remote roles as well where after getting settled would be able to work from NYC and could relocate accordingly. I'm finding that a lot of the remote roles require being in the city in even though you're working from home.
As a career coach, would you suggest using a friend's address in NYC or being straightforward that you'd relocate? Thank you for the truth serum as my head, heart and bank account are providing conflicting information.
Katherine Metres Akbar, Interview Coach & Resume ExpertJanuary 25,2023 at 5:10PM UTC
I would be straightforward that you'd relocate unless you are physically there. You don't want them to invite you to an in-person interview and then have to break news to them. Keep your mind open that you may find someone who'd love to have you as a guest or rent sharer. I think the remote roles or hybrid roles would be great for you as well.
Terri SmithJanuary 24,2023 at 3:07PM UTC
We're hiring and I believe there are a few marketing positions available - Spring Health in NYC. You've gotten some sound advice here. Good luck to you!
AnonymousJanuary 24,2023 at 3:38PM UTC
Thank you, Terri. I checked the website and there's an Associate Director of Membership Marketing position available. Healthcare experience is a plus but not required unlike the other openings. I appreciate your help and I'll apply today.
AnonymousJanuary 24,2023 at 3:53PM UTC
Thank you all for your advice and support! You've given me a lot to think about and consider what I can afford vs want.
AnonymousJanuary 24,2023 at 10:40PM UTC
It sounds like you have great experience (better than mine). Too bad employers want everyone to be perfect. On the one hand they want you to be able to "pivot" at the drop of a hat. On the other, you must have incredibly deep knowledge of your field (even though nobody gets a chance to stay long, and the technology changes so fast it is like a game of whack a mole to keep up).
I am at the point where I just want to give up.