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I need help!
I have decided to finally leave the tech/bro culture where I worked as a UX/Graphic Designer for the bulk of my career. I am finding it incredibly difficult to know which way to, pardon the over-used phrase, pivot into a different career. I realize I need to make my resume seem more generic (as opposed to every single job being UX design related for almost two decades).
I want to be honest about my job history while making it obvious I am eager for different experiences (which I am also in flux about, tho I would love to be retained in some graphic capacity, however not in typical corporate America - if I never hear the phrase "Agile" again, I'd be a happy woman:)).
I've crafted cover letters that do my best to position my previous experiences as more cross over and applicable but I get a lot of "you're overqualified, we don't need a designer, you have no experience in customer support, office work, fill in the blank). I am in my mid-fifties, which I know doesn't help.
Any advice would be so greatly appreciated, as I am certainly in no position to retire, nor do I want to.
Thanks,
Laurie
JenSenior Account Manager
140
10/20/22 at 3:45PM UTC
Hey Laurie! Mid-40s here. I've been in the publishing industry for 20 years, and several years ago, I decided to try and get into tech. You may be already doing these types of things, but I thought I would just share what worked for me. I wanted to remove all references to the fact that I worked in publishing. So I looked through a lot of LinkedIn profiles of people who performed similar work as me, but in the tech industry. I changed the language in my resume, profile, and cover letters to translate to more generic sales outcomes versus publisher specific projects. I also tailored my resume and cover letter for each job, which meant leaving out a bunch of my experience if it did not apply. I ended up getting a lot of interviews, and a couple of offers, but ultimately, I'm still in publishing! Lol. (Just not sure I'm cut out for tech.)
In your case, I think you might really enjoy a transition to higher education. There's a lot of opportunity to keep using your graphic skills, but without the high pressure bro culture of the tech industry. It's also a really good place to be in your 50s or older. When I used to work at a university, a lot of people would come into it from other industries, later in years.
Anonymous
10/17/22 at 3:41PM UTC
It’s agism. Over 50 and they dont want to pay your history but want your skills set. Men tend to hire women who they perceive as approachable, receptive, attractive and likable. This is gross to have to deal with this likability bias in hiring and is rampant.
Anonymous
10/17/22 at 2:11PM UTC
Have you thought about incorporating as a consultant/contract designer? Or coaching for women in design careers?
Your experience is highly valuable and something you could market. You could target women-owned companies and run “surviving tech-bro” workshops for young women in your line of work. Believe me, I know that world and I could have used a mentor/coach helping me navigate it instead of learning every lesson the hard way.
Anonymous
10/16/22 at 10:43PM UTC
This is not my area, so this may not be a good suggestion. With that caveat...
perhaps graphic design of marketing materials - such as flyers, boxes, other corporate image materials?
