| Topic Name: |
"Hardcore" Unemployable? |
| Message Name: |
Fran585-i empathize with you |
| Date Posted: |
04/12/2002 |
| In Reply To: |
Long post--
BP offered excellent tips for staying motivated working at your job search, but lets add a slight dose of reality here.
Like many others here, I am over 40, was middle of transitioning my career and, well, got stuck. I'm networking, keep Excel spreadsheets of contacts and resume submittals, follow-up on leads, and exhausted my rolodex. Its been almost a year since my job offer was rescinded after getting the MBA, but I have to keep trying. I am looking at my old industry and new one.
A couple networking observations:
1. The climate is tense!! One thing I have noticed is that you have to be careful while networking and informing others you're looking for work. Many employed folks are getting snippy or terse with job seekers. One woman actually admitted she would never forward my resume for fear that I would take her job (huh?). Often, I've found the best approach is ease into the conversation on a non-work or general industry topic. Also to be consistent with the groups you're volunteering, networking, etc. Express genuine interest in the topic.
2. Trading services help. No ones like doing anything for free these days. If I meet a sales person, I offer to distribute brochures, or conduct free research, whatever I can do that help with the "I don't know you, why should I help" dilemna.
3. Although I'm 44, I look much younger and have learned to never disclose my age unless its to my benefit or can somehow give me a connection with the contact, esp to women my own age. Insecurity is rampant. I'm finding its not only your qualifications but WHO LIKES YOU.
4. I have managed to get a couple of part-time and temp positions, even arranging (actually begging) w/ one of these employers to let me keep the position as "open" on my resume, to help narrow the time gap. (Yes, I do occassional work for them, but not much.)
Sometimes, you just get stuck and have work hard and be creative to overcome the obstacles. Sooner or later, something will break.
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| Message: |
Same boat-laid off last June-1 year after getting the MBA and trying to change careers-so, i can't sell my experience and can't position as entry level b/c the MBA scares em off-horrible, horrible situation & really can't see the light at the end of the tunnel
nonetheless, i'll keep looking b/c my alternative is continuing my fabulous job waiting tables at night-completely ludicrous & demoralizing-my biggest challenge is controlling the anger b/c i am seriously pissed off at this point
Here's the kicker-i was laid off at A.Andersen so there some irony in all this-don't wish this on anybody but i can't help but cheer as my old bosses get their god damn asses thrown out on the street-i hope they end up in line at a soup kitchen
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