Unclear About What's Not Working
Three years ago I was laid off from a company where I'd worked for nine years and earned promotions. I've had three short-term jobs since then but I'm not getting any traction on the roles I really want: customer success, customer support supervision, customer experience...
I've done lots of things "right" - networking, hired a great job coach, revised my resumé several times, wrote carefully considered cover letters, customized my resumé for each position, reached out to people in the companies where I want to work. I have not even gotten an interview. I am a well-qualified candidate, particularly in terms of soft skills for the client-facing roles I'm after. The people I'm networking with are very encouraging, but have not pointed me to a specific company or person. What is going on here?
1. Something's wrong with me and I don't know it yet (let's rule this out for the moment, based on feedback I'm getting and what I know about myself)
2. I'm too old. I'm 60. I don't look it and don't point it out, but employees can find out if they really want to, and age bias is alive and well.
3. I'm looking for work in a software company - I've done software support for years, but I don't have the tech skills that younger people offer or that employers want, even if they're not on the job description.
4. The 2 1/2 year gap in my resumé
5. Something I don't know about, which is why I'm writing to the community today. I know this isn't much to go on, but if anything comes to mind, I'd be grateful for any thoughts.
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Sunday Scaries "wine session" - After being in the the same career for over 18 years, including one position for 8 years with 2 promotions, in 2017 I left that field and have been trying to figure out what I have wanted ever since.
I have tried a career coach, volunteering, upskilling, networking . . . and am currently in therapy . . . nothing is sticking. I have switched roles 6 times in 6 years. I have also done freelancing and tried starting my own business. And the job I have now is sucking the life out of me. I have only been there for 9 months.
Not one to whine . . . and yet here I am.
I can see the appeal of a mindless job that just pays the bills and I never have to think about a "career" again . . . am I giving up??
0 Likes • 1 Comment
I live in rural West Virginia, master's level counselor/therapist with lots of experience and great references, but no license.
I'm 76 years old: too old to go back to school for 2 years and then do the 3000 hours of supervision. I work remotely for a toxic company; along with others haven't been paid in over 2 months. I love helping my clients but the $$$ issue is eating away at my peace of mind. I've interviewed several places, but lack of licensure is a hurdle. Ideas on how to get out of this trap really appreciated.
0 Likes • 6 Comments
For those who identify as female, what “traditions” exist today within the world of work that need to be removed or updated?
For background, I'm a cisgender white male looking to find ways to become a stronger ally through action and priviledge.
1 Like • 2 Comments
Any advice on how to generate writing samples for a content writer position if you are transitioning from another career path?
(I am a transitioning English teacher, so I have plenty of writing experience, but nothing that would be suitable for a writing sample.)
0 Likes • 4 Comments
Why is that we are not allowed to bring up salary until after offer acceptance, but yet companies can ask what the range is that we are looking for right in the application?
How is that legal? If it's not a numerically required field, what is the best verbiage for how to get around it?
0 Likes • 8 Comments
I have a bossy coworker (male) who has usurped by (female) boss's authority previously, and attempted to do it again today.
He has derailed work meetings by questioning me, and my boss doesn't interfere or interrupt at all. She didn't question his previous action, which basically took a job duty away from me and appropriated it for himself. I asked her about it, and whether it was permanent. She indicated (vaguely) that it wasn't, but she didn't seem too worried about it. It was his area of expertise, so I let it go. If he wants to reduce my workload, I'll just spend that time posting to FGB!
He sent an email today, cc'ing her, and gave me some orders outside of his wheelhouse. I spent at least an hour writing a draft that detailed my level of knowledge and how I didn't need to do what he insisted on, then decided to simply say I'll do whatever our boss says in a reply-all response.
The other email would have been sent to my boss's boss and someone else in the organization who supervises my stakeholders, and the supervisor of my stakeholders.... and I wanted to cc' others as well.
But I felt that would have been a jerk move response to a jerk move.
I'm proud of myself for standing up for myself and keeping it brief, but now I know I really need to discuss it with my boss, and she doesn't have time for this nonsense.
What would your next step be, hive mind?
3 Likes • 7 Comments
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