How to move DOWN the career ladder and not up

[StressedOutSemolina]

Not a career as such. I'm in an administrative type role but a complicated one and I've been doing it for three years. I was in a similar role before that, which I excelled in, but I moved on for personal reasons.

This role is very demanding, very pressured and very hard with a lot of responsibility. It's in a professional field and full of very intimidating people. Whilst I've had mainly good feedback so far I'm just constantly petrified of making mistakes and will literally worry all weekend every weekend. Even if I make so much as a spelling mistake I feel like throwing up. I'm a constant wreck. I've lost a lot of weight and have regular stomach issues. Find it hard to sleep. I've basically come to the harsh realisation that I just don't have the personality to carry on in this environment. I have low confidence and I'm a very quiet person. I've been through a lot in my personal life over the last few years and I'm just not the same person I used to be. Whilst I know I will have to take a pay cut I will feel happier and less stressed in a lower role.

The question is... how do I present that to a new employer? Do I dumb down my CV so they won't look at my experience and want to throw me into a senior role? How can I explain I want something less stressful without them thinking I'm weak and incompetent?

I'm sure most employers won't ask why you are applying for a lower level role. They would just be happy that you are fully capable. If they do ask then you could say "for personal reasons I want a role with less responsibility" or you could make up something like "this fits better around my personal life".

Is your job title one that instantly would signify you're in a higher-level role? I think in most cases it wouldn't be an issue.

However, I used to be an administration manager (middle management sort of level) in the NHS and wanted to take a step down as the stress was unbelievable. I basically wanted a lower level role that was a 9 to 5 and I could just do my work and forget about it but did find that with my job title interviewers tended to think I was overqualified (which I was) and would therefore move on quickly (not necessarily true.)

I was a lot more successful with lower level administrative roles when I changed my job title on my CV to "Office Manager" which was essentially the truth but cut out some of the higher level work I was doing and focused on the basics. I was offered a job quite quickly after that and loved it.

I would see how you get on, hopefully it won't be any issue at all for you and recruiters will be open minded.

I would love an administrator/ PA who wanted to be just that. Someone who didn't mind typing, getting refreshments and flowers etc. Everyone we have seen over a three month search is looking for the next step. One told me she could do mundane if she had to!
Remain smiley and say you like to do home activities and play sport etc so are looking for a balance.

I don't think this is as uncommon as you think.

If they asked at all I would simply say that I was looking for more of a balance that what my current role offered.

I'd bear in mind that if there is any suspicion it will stem from a concern that you won't stay long because you are overqualified and oftentimes people move on quite quickly/want more money again down the line after stepping down. I would remedy that by being clear that this was a permanent change for you.

Another suggestion is to apply for the same level role but with a better company....one which will support you and develop you.

I was in a similar role before that, which I excelled in, but I moved on for personal reasons.

What was the reason you moved on?

Just be careful that you don't assume that all stress will automatically disappear if you accept a lower grade job. Sometimes it's purely the workload that creates all the stress rather than the specific nature of the job, and workloads can huge even in the lowest grade roles, so you're still as stressed and worried about not getting through stuff, or making mistakes or missing things cos you're rushing to get thorugh it, only you're getting paid a lot less!

I wonder how old you are. You're describing the ways in which I feel stressed through work. I think mine is exacerbated by perimenopause. Are you going thorugh that? It's really unpleasant, that feeling of being unable to cope, or constantly worrying that you're doing a bad job etc.

I'd rather not go into why I left but it was very personal. My employers didn't want me to leave though - they don't know why I truly left. It was nothing sinister or dishonest, just private.

It's more the responsibility that scares me and the damage and embarrassment I could do if I ever seriously fucked up. I'm 40.

If you have a half decent manager you should be able to talk this through with them and put coping strategies in place - regular mentoring/ a regular slot to talk through your workplace, a decision log etc etc

Sounds like you need a different employer

Lots of employers would love someone like you in their admin roles - competent, mature and not looking to move on to something more shiny at the first opportunity. Apply and explain that and you will be snapped up.

I am 46
This is how I feel. I am constantly anxious and not coping. I am in bed now when I should be doing other things.

"It's really unpleasant, that feeling of being unable to cope, or constantly worrying that you're doing a bad job etc.""

This.

My advice would be that you don't say anything about the statuses of the roles, but just be positive and enthusiastic about why you want the new role and to work for the new company.

Never say anything negative in a job interview - dont denigrate their job by showing that you consider it a lower job. Never suggest that you are motivated by the need to leave rather than motivated by the opportunity of the new job.

Looking at this differently, you've been doing this very responsible job for 3 years, and you haven't messed up yet, so what is the likelihood that you'll start messing up now?

I would look for some therapy, maybe CBT. What's causing the stress is not so much the job, but your expectation that sooner or later you'll make a mistake and ruin everything.

You're clearly very capable, don't underestimate yourself. Work on your self esteem and resilience.