Career pivot, I can't take any more. I truly need help.

12 Comments

1. AnonymousJune 12,2024 at 3:40PM UTC

   I’m sorry this is happening to you. Had something similar in my life a year ago. I went to a small company and WOW. The level of unprofessionalism was insane. With so many years of experience, have you considered being a consultant? I’ve read a lot about people coming in, helping solve problems and get companies going in the right direction. I don’t have enough experience to do something like that but maybe you could google that? Instructional Design, I think was another hot market for people with your level of expertise. I hope something comes up for you that you love and you can get out of that toxic environment

2. AnonymousJune 13,2024 at 4:09PM UTC

   I like the idea of consulting. I don't know what I'll find but, my hope is shifting down a bit and going remotely anywhere will let me spread my wings and take on the challenges I like. At least I will more control over my environment. Thanks again for the support.

3. AnonymousJune 13,2024 at 1:34PM UTC

   I agree with the other poster about looking into consulting. There are many IT consulting firms and many "gigs" are project-based, so you can keep your skills sharp and stay at a place for longer than most "temp-type" jobs. I have never nor would I ever pay a recruiting firm that kind of money when most recruitment fees are paid by the employer hiring you.

4. AnonymousJune 13,2024 at 1:34PM UTC

   I am sorry you're experiencing this. I've had some similar experiences. Not to add more to your plate, but I've been reading that some folks are finding [joy] leaving the one 9-5 job and either having several part time jobs or find an easier job (for salary and benefits) and then build a side hustle. If this is sustainable for you, it may be worth investigating.

   As for pivots, here are some suggestions- you may have thought of these:
   1.Same job, different industry
   2.Determine if you prefer Building or Maintaining. It's great if you can do both, but once you know, it can steer you toward companies. (e.g. I love building and often find jobs at new companies, new departments, new products, etc.- love it. If I had to take a job "maintaining" I'd prefer if there was a team to work with rather than go solo- otherwise, I would not be playing to my strengths).
   3.Depends if you want senior leadership or team leadership or just be a worker (so long as the salary and work meets your needs)
   4.Pivot to Business Development, Product Management, jobs that have larger junior teams that you could train, Risk Assessment, Quality Assurance
   5.What else do you enjoy (your minor at school or 2nd choice major, or hobbies)? What are those industries?
   6.Do you like to write or do a few speaking engagements to spread your knowledge?
   7.I recommend the book, "Designing Your Work Life" by Burnett and Evans.

   It sounds like you have a wealth of experience. I wish you the best.

5. AnonymousJune 13,2024 at 4:07PM UTC

   Thank you for the support. I truly appreciate all the support I get here. Sometimes we need it. The recommendations are great. I'm going to get that book. I have to protect my sanity. It truly amazes me how these humans that we work with and for forget that they are humans and have humans working with them. How did we get to this place in this world and life I will never know. I'm going to try a few directions but I like the idea of consulting and engagements. I'll see where that takes me. Thanks again.

6. AnonymousJune 14,2024 at 5:08PM UTC

   Never spend money to find a job and FYI in most states it is illegal. As for the current situation, best is keep your head down and look for a company whose values and reviews suit your style of work. Have you considered consulting? You might find that project specific work where you only work to a set deadline and goal is the best solution until you decide how to shake off the toxicity you are now experiencing. Of you could just be blunt and tell them that their toxic style of work is not good for you or others and that anger does not belong in the workplace. Can you be a part of the solution? Vs the problem? especially since they hired you as an expert and you can from someplace bigger and better. Try that if you can...if nothing else buy some good headphones and plug into them with soothing music while you still work there, communicate only via email and otherwise unplug at 5 till you can quit or leave. I appreciate that you had hope that an HR person could help but often when the culture is set they can only be an intermediary and not a good one when toxic comes from the top down.

7. AnonymousJune 15,2024 at 3:41PM UTC

   Never pay a "placement firm" for a job. Recruiters/firms get paid by the clients for successfully bringing candidates that employers want to hire. I encountered one about 30 years ago and they wanted 3k to find me a job. The guy laid it on thick-you don't know your worth, do you? Our clients will refund you our fee, blah blah. I walked away fast. Those places are total scams. I can't believe they still exist!

8. Joan Marie VerbaJune 17,2024 at 1:53PM UTC

   I am astonished by the number of people who recommended consulting. As one who has been freelancing for a number of years, do you know how difficult it is to find clients? Clients who are willing to pay a consulting fee? Going to work for yourself is not easy and it doesn't always result in having enough clients to make a living. Remember, studies show that most business startups fail in their first year.

9. AnonymousJune 18,2024 at 12:48PM UTC

   I completely understand where you're coming from. I'm at ten years as a qa engineer. I also got laid off and then had to go through several incredibly toxic tech companies. As background even before that I'd never quit a job in my tech career it's always been mass layoffs.

   I realized even though I love coding and helping people I just couldn't stand upper management anymore. The idea of having to do another interview that would lead to either an awful work environment or one that I loved but would get laid off from as soon as the CEO made a mistake or they thought the economy was going bad. It was literally causing me panic attacks.

   I took a break and started doing odd jobs. Realized I really enjoy walking dogs. So now I'm in trade school for dog training. I'll make a lot less, but it's honestly made me feel so much better.

10. GirlBossanova934974June 18,2024 at 12:58PM UTC

    I worked in a place just like this around 20-25 years ago. How did it get that way? EASY! Top Management hired off a personality test called Myers-Briggs. We made sure to hire only 2 out of the 16 personality types aka we hired a bunch of foul mouthed unprofessional idiots. Education was not particularly important. You just had to be a foul mouthed jerk. Everyone was always at each other's throats. HOWEVER REST ASSURRED that every workplace is NOT like this. I would go ahead and apply for other Program Management jobs. And when you get to the interview process, be sure you ask a lot of questions about HOW management is rewarded, what sort of behaviors are valued and that sort of thing. If the company HR is rude and unprofessional, keep looking. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, ask about the company's performance appraisal system. That is the first place where you find the BAD actors and BAD actresses being rewarded for doing stupid stuff. ASK about the ROLE OF HR in the company! Do they have TEETH to crack down on IDIOT managers or is the HR office a revolving door that rubberstamps bad behavior and hires idiots....

11. AnonymousJune 18,2024 at 12:58PM UTC

    Oh my. I don’t have any advice but just dropping in to say I am in the same position! Following this post.

12. Erin Thomas, Career + Leadership CoachJune 18,2024 at 3:49PM UTC

    Hi, there are LOTS of wonderful companies that don’t treat their employees like dirt (which it sounds like is how you’re being treated.)

    happy to offer you a free consultation where I’ll build you a roadmap of exactly what to do to find your sweet spot, which is exactly what I’ve done for more than 200+ motivated professionals just like you. The reality is you can’t use the old way to find your sweet spot - you have to navigate the market a little differently to find your ideal match. I’ll share more if we meet.

    You can book a free consul here:

    https://www.careerupgradecoaching.com

    Dont give up - you can do this and all of these problems you’re facing ARE solvable. You just need the right strategy to solve for them.