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DU Home » Latest Threads » Forums & Groups » Main » The DU Lounge (Forum) » Job search advice...

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 11:09 AM

Star Member ZenDem (429 posts)

Job search advice...

I've had it with my job. It's killing me.

It pays okay, benefits are acceptable, but atmosphere is toxic. We have more managers than employees, change is constant and illogical and always falls on the Project Mgrs (me). The amount of stress is stupid for this industry (Commercial Print/Marketing).

I'm a 57/yo woman.
I have over 36 years experience in Printing, most in management/graphic arts.

I'm terrified of looking for a new job. I'm single and a homeowner. I don't have any backups if this fails, but I might actually get fired soon because I'm refusing to take on YET ANOTHER responsibility that is NOT part of my job description. I'm done. Over it.

I'm going to hire a resume writer and someone to finish my damned LinkedIn profile (freaking hate LinkedIn, full of bullshitters and ass-kissers).

Someone give me a freaking pep talk. Tell me someone will hire me. I'm good at what I do...really good. I can do damn near anything in this business other than run a press. I'm hiring material, right? Just because I'm "older" doesn't mean I'm useless, right?

Hate this...hate, hate, hate...

Oh, happy Friday!!!

23 replies, 1287 views

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Replies to this discussion thread
Arrow 23 replies Author Time Post
Reply Job search advice... (Original post)
 ZenDem Jul 2021 OP
LineReply Good luck.
 underpants Jul 2021 #1
LineLineReply Thank you!
 ZenDem Jul 2021 #8
LineReply Someone will hire YOU!
 Anon-C Jul 2021 #2
LineLineReply LOL!
 ZenDem Jul 2021 #9
LineReply Have you looked at Indeed.com ?
 CentralMass Jul 2021 #3
LineLineReply Yes...sort of?
 ZenDem Jul 2021 #11
LineReply Register at USAjobs.gov.
 mahatmakanejeeves Jul 2021 #4
LineLineReply Thanks!
 ZenDem Jul 2021 #12
LineLineLineReply Two thumbs up. You'll find yourself looking things up and getting organized in the process.
 mahatmakanejeeves Jul 2021 #13
LineReply I have never seen a better hiring phase than now
 WA-03 Democrat Jul 2021 #5
LineLineNew Reply Heh...
 ZenDem Jul 2021 #14
LineReply Advice I gave my clients:
 cbabe Jul 2021 #6
LineLineNew Reply It's difficult.
 ZenDem Jul 2021 #15
LineLineLineNew Reply Think of having a
 cbabe Jul 2021 #23
LineReply PM me
 Bayard Jul 2021 #7
LineLineNew Reply Thank you!!!
 ZenDem Jul 2021 #16
LineLineLineNew Reply I'd be glad to do it.
 Bayard Jul 2021 #19
LineLineLineNew Reply Take Bayard up on the offer!!!
 Nittersing Jul 2021 #20
LineReply Someone will hire you!
 Sanity Claws Jul 2021 #10
LineLineNew Reply Thank you!!!
 ZenDem Jul 2021 #17
LineNew Reply I really like
 MissB Jul 2021 #18
LineNew Reply I hear you
 XanaDUer2 Jul 2021 #21
LineNew Reply good luck!
 Kali Jul 2021 #22

Response to ZenDem (Original post)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 11:24 AM

Star Member underpants (176,774 posts)

1. Good luck.

You should have options given the massive resignations and retirements going on.

Don’t rule out a public sector job. Retention is a huge problem there due to baby boomers retiring. The pay can be comparable depending on where you live. You will be qualified for more positions than you think. Since you have experience in printing you may want to look into your state lottery. Virginia’s is quite expansive in terms of employees.

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Response to underpants (Reply #1)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 03:01 PM

Star Member ZenDem (429 posts)

8. Thank you!

It's so hard for me to think outside the box. I've been doing this for so long, imagining being useful in another industry is impossible to imagine.

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Response to ZenDem (Original post)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 11:25 AM

Star Member Anon-C (3,429 posts)

2. Someone will hire YOU!

Think of me and focus your anger and hatred towards me, and you will have your wish.

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Response to Anon-C (Reply #2)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 03:02 PM

Star Member ZenDem (429 posts)

9. LOL!

It's hard for me to focus anger at someone that's actually being nice to me. Not impossible, just really hard. I appreciate the offer, though!

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Response to ZenDem (Original post)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 11:27 AM

Star Member CentralMass (14,800 posts)

3. Have you looked at Indeed.com ?

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Response to CentralMass (Reply #3)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 03:15 PM

Star Member ZenDem (429 posts)

11. Yes...sort of?

I've toyed with the idea of moving on for a few years, so I've glanced at Indeed. Once I get started, I'll give it a "real" try.

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Response to ZenDem (Original post)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 11:30 AM

Star Member mahatmakanejeeves (52,156 posts)

4. Register at USAjobs.gov.

Even if you don't intend to work for the Feds, you will be prompted to fill out a resume that you can use for any job to which you might apply. It's good discipline, and it's always accessible.

https://www.usajobs.gov/

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Response to mahatmakanejeeves (Reply #4)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 03:16 PM

Star Member ZenDem (429 posts)

12. Thanks!

I'll definitely look into that! Never occurred to me!

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Response to ZenDem (Reply #12)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 03:18 PM

Star Member mahatmakanejeeves (52,156 posts)

13. Two thumbs up. You'll find yourself looking things up and getting organized in the process.

Having all the information available will prove of great value.

HTH

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Response to ZenDem (Original post)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 11:42 AM

Star Member WA-03 Democrat (2,870 posts)

5. I have never seen a better hiring phase than now

There are a lot of positions and your program management experience is applicable in many different industries. “Herd cats is something every business needs” a good PM friend of mine once said. They also like to show a chart with them in the middle like the Sun. It’s true. A good part of the job is reminding everyone what needs to get done.

You will find a new fit and start a new and better chapter!

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Response to WA-03 Democrat (Reply #5)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 03:19 PM

Star Member ZenDem (429 posts)

14. Heh...

...I love my spreadsheets. Everyone loves my spreadsheets. They actually have usable info in a simple to follow format (except for my own...those are a tailored to my own freakish brain).

Thanks for the vote of confidence!!!

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Response to ZenDem (Original post)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 11:51 AM

Star Member cbabe (2,384 posts)

6. Advice I gave my clients:

Keep your options open.Think skills not specific job. For example, managing others can be any industry not only your current job.

Research growth industries. Tech. Healthcare. How can you help them?

Network. Find out where people gather. Websites, coffee shops, little league.

Talk to everyone. Your dentist. Hairdresser. Ask for more names.

I actually had a Harvard law grad who didn't want to put it on her resume. Thought it was bragging.
Lead with your top two or three accomplishments.

Leave out soft personal goals.

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Response to cbabe (Reply #6)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 03:25 PM

Star Member ZenDem (429 posts)

15. It's difficult.

I'm not a big fan of change so changing industries at my age is daunting.

My personal goals are to survive and not be a burden to my son and DIL. I'll probably leave that off my resume. LOL!!!

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Response to ZenDem (Reply #15)

Sat Jul 31, 2021, 12:29 PM

Star Member cbabe (2,384 posts)

23. Think of having a

Grand Adventure. Like Wallace and Gromit.

Taking the road less traveled in the snowy wood.

Best reason ever to update your wardrobe.

Meet new best friends. Surprised by joy.

Let us know how it goes. Cheers!

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Response to ZenDem (Original post)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 01:00 PM

Star Member Bayard (18,817 posts)

7. PM me

I'm a retired headhunter. I can send you resume writing tips, and interview prep.

As someone else said, your project management skills would transfer to a lot of industries.

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Response to Bayard (Reply #7)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 03:32 PM

Star Member ZenDem (429 posts)

16. Thank you!!!

I really appreciate the offer, but I hate asking for actual help. I need to find my resume...that's me thinking out loud. LOL!

Kind of a depressing side note; I used to get random hits from headhunters. That doesn't happen anymore. I think the last hit I received was about 5 or so years ago.

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Response to ZenDem (Reply #16)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 05:30 PM

Star Member Bayard (18,817 posts)

19. I'd be glad to do it.

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Response to ZenDem (Reply #16)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 05:51 PM

Star Member Nittersing (5,572 posts)

20. Take Bayard up on the offer!!!

Years ago I was in a similar position...

I had an acquaintance on Compuserve (told you it was years ago) who had some experience with job counseling and offered to help. I shared my concerns and he sent back an email with a variety of questions that really helped to clarify the direction I wanted to go.

Nothing like a fresh set of eyes.

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Response to ZenDem (Original post)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 03:07 PM

Star Member Sanity Claws (21,427 posts)

10. Someone will hire you!

The market is opening up, even for older women.
I am an older woman (even older than you) and was contacted by 2 head hunters in the last two months. No one had contacted me in about two years.
Go for it.

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Response to Sanity Claws (Reply #10)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 03:33 PM

Star Member ZenDem (429 posts)

17. Thank you!!!

Everyone has given me so much hope! I knew this morning when I woke up that this was the place to go for a pep talk. I was right!

THANK YOU!!!

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Response to ZenDem (Original post)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 04:04 PM

Star Member MissB (15,588 posts)

18. I really like

Ask a manager. She has some great advice.

And good luck!

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Response to ZenDem (Original post)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 09:58 PM

Star Member XanaDUer2 (7,942 posts)

21. I hear you

I'm so sorry this is happening to you.



I'm trying to get on ssdi due to getting ill from a very toxic job situation. I'm scared, too. I'm in my 50s.

You can do this! You've started the right way- have someone help with your cv. You can do a stealth job search. No job is worth your health. I know it's scary.

Take it one step at a time. Good luck

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Response to ZenDem (Original post)

Fri Jul 30, 2021, 11:38 PM

Star Member Kali (54,341 posts)

22. good luck!

I don't have any way to help unless you want to come back and sharpen cactus spines, but I'm cheering for you anyway!

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