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Career Mismanagement Leaves Me Lost
This is my first post and is long to provide background and context: I spent most of my marketing 'career' (24 1/2 years!) in one place - albeit that one place went through an acquisition, then there were mergers, divestitures, and more acquisitions. At the same time, my job responsibilities adapted - always in marketing. Some enhancements but no management growth. I was laid off along with 80+ others when the office shut down and moved to another state in 2018 (remote work was not an option then). Eight months later, I landed a new job at a small technology startup; 17 months later, they laid me off; 2 months later, I landed only to find myself 7 months later jobless again when the company discontinued the product I was working on.
Now I'm six months into yet another job search. At 56, feeling defeated. I'm actively interviewing and have had rounds and rounds of interviews, presentations, and projects, only to get the very impersonal and generic "thanks but no thanks" email at the end. Rethinking everything now. I'm blessed and grateful to have good health, family, and home, so I'm not struggling that way, but I need to work, be appreciated and have a purpose. Most job postings out there seem to be for marketers with 5 years of experience (not 10/15/20), and the postings for leadership roles require management experience, which I don't have because I mismanaged my career early on. Non-profits require non-profit expertise, etc.
I'm in an over-qualified but also under-qualified predicament. I keep up with technology, have additional marketing certifications, take different online classes, work with a great career coach, and honestly review previous "mistakes" to avoid repeating them. Yet it seems as if I won't fit in anywhere.
Open to all advice! Thank you!
I feel you.
I think at over 20 years, you have to take more of a mentoring or instructional role - instructor, podcast guest, paid speaker. It's something I've been pushing towards too as I have over 20 years in TV and marketing.
I just started a YouTube channel and have been posting business productivity tips for business owners. I had been so scared of being on camera, but whatever. It's the new way to make money and generate inbound traffic.
Sounds very familiar !! Women over 40 and especially 50 and even more so women of color are being targeted in lay offs and orchestrated separations by companies. It never was a fair world . You need to keep at it though, strategically by differentiating yourself.
It is sad to know how experienced workers know their jobs, and the hiring managers seem to get younger and accept lower pay.
Try AARP they have good jobs from all over if you are over 50, Good Luck!
I feel you. My career has been full of contract and temp jobs. I went to my county's Workforce Development Center to get assistance in writing my resume for ATS vs Humans, and it has seemed to help.
Non profits don't necessarily require non-profit expertise. I went from a VP of Marketing in natural food products to a Director of Marketing and Comms at a community foundation that needed a department built, a complete shift of messaging, internal education, and a complete rebrand. My skills came in very handy for all of this. Try applying to NPOs, they often can benefit from marketing experience in the "real world" as they usually lack this expertise. Oh, and I think NPOs are generally not as age-discriminitory.
Come work at my company! We hire all ages and backgrounds. We actually are looking for more experienced people!
Hi Andie - would love to hear more. Can we connect on Linkedin? Daria
Absolutely Darla!
i've dropped my email in another comment on this thread.
hlo
Do you have fully remote jobs? Where do I send my resume?
Yes we are fully remote, but have the occasional local meetups for quarterly kickoffs. email me - andieparker614@gmail
You have wonderful experience so please remember that and invaluable knowledge to share with the right team. As I’m sure you’re aware now, startups are hit or Miss and typically not stable. I worked on a lot of marketing roles for nonprofits and never had one nix a person for no prior nonprofit experience. A nonprofit would LOVE to have someone of your experience (not sure what your comp needs are) but I would def hit up more nonprofits. In regards to management, let’s face it, most managers suck because they have never been formally trained/developed. Def make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and shows you’re open to opportunities. Keep that head up!!!!
Contact Madeline Mackey career coach, I used her for resume rewrite and intro letter, and linkedin rewrite, best decision I made.
Google has marketing positions, Nike, Adidas try big companies, Amazon, everyone needs marketing, Realtors, Mortgage and Insurance need marketing help.
You Cant Sell A Secret.
Join marketing groups on meetup.org, for professionals looking for like jobs and groups.
Start Ups only have grants for a year or more, ask if you go that route next time. Good Luck!
You could look at subject matter expert jobs at companies that build marketing software, where your years of experience in marketing would be looked at as a huge benefit and your lack of management skills (your words not mine) wouldn't be a consideration.
subject matter expert jobs include Account Managers, Program Managers, Sales Support type positions, and Product roles.
A company that build marketing software would be happy to have someone with your experience.
I'm happy to connect with you here and on linkedIn, I have lots of connections in the software industry and I've spent a lot of my Product career in the Marketing Technology space.
Hi Barb - I can't thank you enough for your advice! I know I need to think beyond a "product marketing" role and your ideas make sense! It would be great to connect with you on LinkedIn. Thank you again for your kindness!
I'm happy to chat if you have any questions about transitioning a product marketing role into another SME role. Please reach out if you have any questions or just want to brainstorm.
We "older" women need to stick together :)
FYI - probably the best way to reach me is through LinkedIn or DM me here and I'll send you my email address.