No work and running out of ideas. Help!

[Piknik]

Posted on the Work board, but re-posting here for traffic.

I am 55 and never thought I'd be in this position, but I realise now that years of doing a bit of a 'made up' job has put me here and I don't know what to do.
I am under-qualified (didn't go to University as I was offered a full-time job at the BBC aged 17 and took it). I have worked my whole life in TV, Film, Video, Live Events and Content Producing and have suddenly found myself without work since January.

I have worked for broadcasters, film production companies, individuals, event companies, agencies and private clients across so many areas of the industry including: writing/producing/scripting/casting/directing/creative development and have spent the past 10 years freelance with enough work to bring me in an average of around £60K a year.

And then suddenly, nothing.

Everything seems to be working against me:

• Age - pretty sure this is a factor.
• Contacts - I have always relied on people who know me and understand my experience and skillset giving me work, and they have. But now - despite following up with everyone I can think of (even the ones that are a bit embarrassing to chase), there is nothing.
• Lack of clarity - Because I am not a 'thing' - more a flexible/multi skilled and experienced person that can adapt - it's really REALLY hard to apply for jobs online (although I am trying really hard and doing really careful bespoke CV and covering letters almost daily - one or two a day at most).

I am also trying to apply for things outside of my field - I've tried Civil Service jobs/NGO and charity storytelling jobs/visitor experience jobs - things that have some correlation - but I don't seem to make it past first sift on anything.

Apart from the financial strain and burden on DH who is now starting to buckle under the pressure of being sole earner, I hate not working. Hate it.

I have no idea what to do. I feel sick and a bit desperate and have no idea how to find work, or pivot at my age. I don't feel old and still have so much to offer but I'm not sure anyone wants it!

Any advice welcome. I'm really struggling - financially and emotionally.

https://talentedpeople.tv/

Have you registered with industry specific agencies like this one ^

I'm so sorry OP, this industry continues through such a long downturn. I've seen some colleagues posting on Linked In with very detailed descriptions of where their talents lie and their availability which seems to sometimes spark a relevant response (if yu've not already done so). You don't say where you're based, but have you tried other hubs/London? Other colleagues have literally been taking pub shifts to plug gaps, or retraining altogether.

It's awful, I'm so sorry, so much skilled talent that will end up leaving the industry, replaced with AI slop.

@EmmaStone It's really hard to compete the AI slop and crap production values. I'm not 25 with my own kit ready to go anywhere in the world, shoot, edit, graphic design and deliver in 10 different formats for £150, but it does feel like that's what I am up against.

I am so angry with myself for believing that I'd always have work and for not retraining or pivoting sooner, but there's no point being pissed off, I need to crack on.

I am based in London and do check Mandy / TalentedPeople and other industry sites, but even those are generally looking for something very specific and I am just a really good all rounder which I thought was a good thing but now realise is a terrible thing

I have never felt so low or worthless in my life. It's just the worst feeling.

Thank you both though. I will keep looking for a local filler job and checking the industry sites.

My LinkedIn is terrible - that's something I could improve.

On your LinkedIn put information about projects you’ve been involved with, and always answer the” so what” question. What did it achieve? How did you make a difference?
use ai give you some ideas but make it yours- not ai slop.
and connect with all the organisations you can.

Have you tried Police Control?

So sorry to hear this. I was sacked last year. (Finance, similar age) working again now. Less money but less stress.

Resent years spent going above beyond etc.

OP I would look at communications, PR and marketing jobs or even events organisation jobs with charities because your media experience would transfer well.

I think the job market is crap at the moment for so many people but don't lose hope.

No. Is that answering 999 calls and deploying support? Or something else? Am I not too old?

You're absolutely not too old
My friend was a TA for years and was hating it. She retrained as a police call handler in her 50s (perhaps very late 40s) and is now a supervisor. Loves her job. It's hard, sometimes harrowing but loves it.

It would be nice to do something that felt meaningful after a lifetime of 'fluff'. I am going to at least look into this idea, thank you!

Definitely not too old. Very interesting and often a springboard into the control room training team.

@Floppyearedlab and @ilovemyshed I've applied!

🤞

Oh brilliant! Let us know how you get on! You sounds really well suited to the job.

Good luck!

Crown media, until very recently, were looking for freelancers with your skills to.work overseas.

Worth having a look at this charity as they offer a range of support.

https://filmtvcharity.org.uk/

It might also be worth looking at your huge range of experience as an asset - apply for jobs in each of the specialisms you mention but focus your application on that specific skill, rather than talking about everything you can do?

I'm 57 and after 30 years of professional career, I recently applied and got a job with the local council. Money is not the same of course. Stress levels are hopefully lower.

I’m also a TV freelancer and the current situation (well, really the situation over the last few years) is absolutely terrible.
I have seen numbers that say 70% of all TV freelancers are out of work.
Sorry, of course that doesn’t help you. But I just wanted to say you are not alone. And it’s not because you have done anything wrong.

I haven’t worked since December because I have been diagnosed with cancer and am having treatment. Which obviously is awful. But… only now do I realise how stressful it was to always be thinking/ worrying “where is my next job coming from. “

I actually had stopped applying for advertised jobs. I think over the 30odd years i worked in TV I have only ever got 2 jobs because i applied for them. All other jobs I had were through contacts.

all the best for you

Gosh thanks for all the new messages. I will follow all the links and suggestions.

It's so difficult not to feel like a complete failure. My experience of getting work is like yours @viktoria - always contacts, never adverts. So when they dry up, and you realise you're competing with three thousand 25 year olds when it comes to the adverts, it's hard not to panic.

This thread is the most helpful thing that's happened so far. Not even joking. So thank you.

Updating because, why not!

@Floppyearedlab and @Ilovemyshed I've just got an email telling me I'm through to face to face assessment stage. I have asked CHATGPT what to expect but any hints and tips welcome!

I would never have thought of applying were it not for this thread and it is a massive pay cut, but it also isn't, seeing as I've been out of work since January.

That's great @Piknik. Good luck!

There will be some tests and role playing, and things like interpreting some radio transmissions and extracting details of what you hear.

I have no useful advice to offer sadly but just wanted to say WELL DONE! Your tenacity and pro-activeness will take you far.

Well done amazing news!

My best friend did this role for years and years, there was always lots of overtime available.

Good luck!

It's a complete pivot and something I would never have considered so I am truly grateful for the suggestion.

I'll let you know how I get on :)