My last job was the first place in over 25 years where I felt excited every day to go to work.

Cherise Bullock Cassell, PMP, CSM, SPOC, ITIL, SAFe 6

November 9,2023 at 2:30AM UTC

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My last job was the first place in over 25 years where I felt excited every day to go to work. I was permanently remote and I worked with people around the world. I was surrounded by leaders, not bosses. And it made my extremely varied resume make sense. After 3 years, they had an unexpected massive layoff. I've been looking for a new job since September and I keep comparing every company to them. My leader still calls or texts me every week because she felt so bad to have to let me go. What do you do when you're over 50, have experienced the PERFECT job, and then have to find another one in this market? By the way, I was a Global Strategic Program Manager.

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AnonymousNovember 9,2023 at 9:02AM UTC
The way I've always looked at positive experiences is that they came about because of me, my energy skills and hard work.
If I attracted that wonderful experience once, I can and will attract it again.
AnonymousNovember 9,2023 at 2:35PM UTC
I had one like that in the past also. Just consider that for a certain period of time, you were very happy. That was then, this is now.
Perhaps the subsequent experiences that are "not so great" help us to grow in character - at least that is what happened to me. Also, some of these subsequent experiences have helped me to mentor others and help them cope with less than perfect experiences, so they have been fulfilling and had meaning, but on a different level.
AnonymousNovember 9,2023 at 3:07PM UTC
Feel blessed that you had the experience, and move on. Don’t dwell on what was.
KatNovember 9,2023 at 3:56PM UTC
Many people have never had a "perfect" job, so consider yourself very fortunate on that front. Don't get caught up in that when looking for a new job. Evaluate each job prospect individually, not based on your former experience. Does your former boss have any job leads/suggestions for you? Maybe you can find another great (but maybe not perfect) job through her. Perhaps other people in your network can help you find another good job that can become your next "perfect" job.
Cherise Bullock Cassell, PMP, CSM, SPOC, ITIL, SAFe 6November 20,2023 at 6:09PM UTC
Just to give you an idea, my former leader (not boss) put out a call to everyone in her family that's in our field of work.
All of a sudden I started getting connection requests on LinkedIn from all these people with her maiden name! Who does that?! They now all have my resume and have presented it to their companies.
Michelle HillNovember 14,2023 at 7:57AM UTC
Wow, I am sorry to hear about that. Your former job sounds like a dream. If I can think of a way to offer support I certainly will.
Tiana MumfordNovember 15,2023 at 1:25PM UTC
Good morning
Im so sorry that sounded amazing to feel . I would keep pushing hopefully employers aren’t asking you or won’t ask age related questions. Blessings
AnonymousNovember 15,2023 at 1:50PM UTC
I totally feel you on this. I've been at my company almost 27 years and my current position has me questioning myself. I don't feel respected or valued and I'm looking for what I had in the first 23 years of my tenure here. Good luck to you! It's so hard to find a place that doesn't make work seem like work.
Apryl KiokoNovember 16,2023 at 6:24AM UTC
Take the experience of that "Perfect" work environment and work it into the thread of your new organization. Being a PMP, change is inevitable and can be quite rewarding if you open up to receive it?
AnonymousDecember 7,2023 at 11:37PM UTC
I was in my last job for 7 years and loved it! They furloughed 25 people at the beginning of November (mandatory unpaid leave of absence). I'm 64, had the PERFECT job, and am now going through the emotional work of letting go, moving on, and looking for the next great opportunity. Wishing you all the best!
Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachJanuary 10,2024 at 1:58PM UTC
identify your non-negotiables and use those to measure potential companies and opportunities against. Maybe it's up to you to recreate the "perfect job" again :)