Career Surgery

I know how you feel. I'm 53 and have been using both Macs & PCs as an artworker/layout artist for over 20 years. 18 months ago I walked out of a job I loved because the MD is a slimy, lying git (sorry but he is) who tried to seduce one of my colleagues. For the past 18 months I've been temping. I can do pretty well anything because I've done the studio stuff and taught MS Office at a local college outreach centre. I went to an organisation that helped me revamp my CV and I don't know if my cover emails/letters are spot on but I certainly try to give a feel for my enthusiasm and expertise. Despite all this I have had about 3 interviews while the rest either don't write or say that someone else turned up with better or more relevant skills.

Because of this I can honestly say that I've tried almost everything: repackaging myself, sending samples of what I do (the last lot came back without even a compliment slip and, yes, I do send an SAE!), being funny, being serious, being enthusiastic, being self-assured to the point of arrogance and nothing seems to work.

Like you, I have begun to feel that it's either my age, my sex or that having done so much over the past 20 years maybe the people in charge think that I want to take over. But all I want is a job with a nice bunch of people, a variety of work, a bit of new stuff to learn and a decent pay cheque at the end of the month. I had one of those epiphany things about 10 years ago and just can't be bothered with all that responsibility.

So, good luck with your search and stay positive. Try to do some temping because you get to see people and companies; and then perhaps you can find yourself a "proper" job.

Linda - January 27, 2007 3:29 PM

Your enquiry makes no mention of the seniority, role or salary expectations.

EricRed - January 27, 2007 7:37 PM

Hi and thank you all for your input. For the record Charlie I have contacted companies direct with a tailored offer but not pro bono as yet. Thanks I will try that. I've had one interview as result but no offer just some vague promises of things "when budgets are released". Industries like banking are looking for specific industry creditation or skills; other industries tend to look for a mix of B2B and B2C which I don't have experience of but can show skills which are easily transferable. I'm reworking my own plans to take on board some of the things you advise.

Eric, I've typically been a member of the regional management team with full accountability for my function and total P&L responsibility. Titles have typically been VP/Dir level and my salary expectations are £70K min ideal £90K but I am flexible and know positions of this level arent readily available. I have applied for roles paying a lot less but requiring a level of seniority. Having spoken to a few leading headhunters, I am not fairly sure I'm not expecting too much!

Linda, I hate to play the "glass ceiling" card, I really do, but I am convinced being a woman above 40yrs does have something to do with my lack of success in finding the right role. I understand your frustration. I have been told by one interviewer that my self-confidence came across as arrogance but I wonder if that would be said to a man? I am a confident, easy going person who knows what she is good at - I'm finding that this can be intimidating but I refuse to be anything but myself at interviews! However, this was the same person who couldnt tell me off the top of their head the split between direct and indirect sales in their company! Don't lose hope the right role with the right people is out there, we just need to keep looking!

Many thanks for your support and food for thought.

K

KK - January 29, 2007 6:02 PM

Dear KK,
Sorry to see you are experiencing problems in getting a suitable position (as was Linda), however may I make a few observations. Bias and prejudice exist in the workplace - irrespective of whether you are male/female, young or old, experienced or inexperienced, from the sector or not - this is a fact. Do not let it frustrate you to the point where you say this or that must be the reason why you may not get the job, because if you believe in these negatives then they become self perpetuating. You say "what am I doing wrong?" when perhaps the statement should be "what am I not doing right?" If you get feedback that says they think you are arrogant, then that is there perogative to do so; they are in the hiring chair, not you, and slagging the person off when you come out is not a good sign. Being yourself is great when you are in the job, but remember it takes people time to get used to each others "foibles" and you have to be aware of this when you are in the (artificial) interview situation. I would also say that the employment market is very different here to the US, Middle East or Asia, especially to levels of responsibility and renumeration in the average company. Being made redundant is never easy, all of a sudden you get cut off from your life support systems. But it also acts as a wake up call, and gives you the opportunity to review your work/life/image balance and the factors that make you tick re-examined. I agree with the other poster - and please dont think I am patronising - the marketing aspects need to be looked at. It is about wants and needs - i.e. the clients "needs, " (not your "wants"), the marketplace fit of what you have to offer (i.e. are you going be able to sort the clients problems out with your skills toolkit) and the elasticity of their budgets (if they want to pay 3 its no good asking for 4.) From your last role, had the product (i.e.your efforts) reached maturity and/or decline in the market they were in? Was there room to diversify (probably not from what occurred), so new product development or markets are called for. I think it is an escapable fact that there is no such thing as a permanent job these days, so perhaps an investigation into becoming self-employed and contracting yourself back to these companies to fulfil immediate needs may be the right focus. Or alternatively, creating a marketing company in your own right (you may be able to get access to government grants as a start-up company or such - see your local business link). Have you considered a move into an "educating" role rather than a "doing" role (which can be very hard to stomach for most people!). I am not sure if someone else mentioned it, but charities, lifestyle organisations, education and vocational support services always need good innovative people, and may well be worth a visit.
I hope there is something there that may help.

An interesting quote by Wendell Phillips;
"What is defeat? Nothing but education, nothing but the first step to something better."
And a modern one from Woody Allen:
If you're not failing every now and again, it's a sign you're not doing anything very innovative.

Stuart - February 2, 2007 8:11 PM