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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

...have I murdered my career?

32 replies

MinesaBottle · 22/05/2014 17:07

Sorry if this is a bit long. I need some advice fast. Last summer I was made redundant (the company I worked for had a massive reorganisation). There were no suitable roles available as I do something fairly specialist in communications. I'd worked there for ten years and so decided to take some time out to decompress and get a load of work done on the house. I also ended up needing an operation but that wasn't planned obviously!

So in January I started looking for a new job, applying for everything that was suitable in my field. Most of them didn't even bother to come back to me and those that did, didn't really give any useful feedback. I am with two agencies but have yet to find any work although I've been put forward for a few jobs (and am also continuing to apply on my own and keeping in touch with my network in case anything comes up). But I haven't had anything at all.

I've asked my agents to look out for part time work for me as well; I check in with them every week and usually I'm told that whatever companies I've currently applied to are still considering applications. This is fair enough - I've been on the other side of the process and I know that in large companies especially it can take some time for all the relevant people to review applications.

I'm really starting to think I made the wrong decision to take time out. I keep up with what's going on in my field and the wider industry in which I worked so I don't think my knowledge or skills have gone particularly rusty. I explain I had a career break on my CV and what I did (mostly manage the bloody house renovations). I used to do PA work years ago and now I'm considering going back to that but a) will anyone want me as I haven't worked as a PA for over a decade and b) will it fuck up my CV and I'll never work in comms again? I need to work (money isn't a huge issue atm but it will become so in a few months) and I'm terrified that by taking time out I've torpedoed my life

Please, any advice?

OP posts:

Original poster

MinesaBottle · 22/05/2014 19:12

Sorry to bump, I really hope someone can tell me if ten months of not working makes one unemployable

OP posts:

fiorentina · 22/05/2014 20:10

I think it depends where you are and what exactly you are looking for, is it senior level? It may well be there just aren't that many roles.

I think having time out and working on a renovation project is fine for some time off. Be sure your cv makes it clear you've been working on that but that you've been keeping up with the industry whilst out of it?

pandarific · 22/05/2014 20:29

Could you PM me the kind of role you're looking for? There's a freelance role at my place which might suit, depending.

Original poster

MinesaBottle · 22/05/2014 20:35

It's mid-level, there seem to be quite a few roles out there but I'm just not getting very far. pandarific I'll send you a PM, thanks!

OP posts:

redexpat · 22/05/2014 20:58

Have you had anyone else look at your cv? If you're not getting any interviews then that would be where I would start.

Are you on linked in? Might be worth setting up an account.

Are there any industry networking events you can go to?

Bearbehind · 22/05/2014 20:58

There's not much point in wondering if you made the wrong decision as it's done now.

A career break doesn't look great on a CV, whatever the reason, and in a market where there are more applicants than jobs it is likely your CV gets overlooked as you don't get a chance to explain your reasons.

Having said that, many employers are expanding again and hopefully the job to applicant ratio will even out a little.

I'd really focus on your contacts. My experience of agencies has generally been bad but there's still a lot of merit in 'it's not what you know it's who you know'

Good luck.

Original poster

MinesaBottle · 22/05/2014 21:13

I'm on LinkedIn and I've had several people look at my CV including my agents and the outplacement consultant I went to when I lost my job. I'm definitely keeping up with my contacts but its so frustrating, I don't usually even get interviews so I can't explain myself. It must be a bloody nightmare for women returning to work after bringing up dcs!

OP posts:

Muskey · 22/05/2014 21:38

I have a similar experience. 5 years ago I decided to ake voluntary redundancy from a large telecoms company as I needed some time out. My timing could not have been worse as unbeknown to any of us we entered the recession that we are just coming out of. Initially it wasn't a problem but as time went by things started getting worse. Eventually I decided to go back to university and study psychology. At the same time (because I was a part time student) I also did voluntary work. I finished my degree last year and then tried to get a job. Tbh I thought I would never find another job as employment agencies in particular cant seem to understand what are transferable skills and tend only to interview people who are an exact fit for what they are looking for and consider people who are over 40 as unemployable. What has kept me going is the voluntary work that I do and oddly enough it was because of my role with this charity and a role I did for my previous company that I was invited for an interview and was offered a job last week. What I am saying is never discount retraining as an option, try to do voluntary work if you can as it does fill up any spaces in your cv and keeps you up to date with technology etc and previous work experience does count. Good luck

WorkingBling · 22/05/2014 21:42

Are. You open to contract work? That can be a good way in. Are you in London? Can you be a bit more specific what you do or pm me - I have been there, done that, and now consult full time but went through all of the same issues with looking for something and getting nowhere.

Original poster

MinesaBottle · 22/05/2014 21:51

Yes I'm in London. I am open to contract work - I mainly do intranet (content management, site management) but have also done internal comms strategy, writing and editing, content for employee events; basically the whole gamut of internal comms. I am open to contract work as well, it's all work after all!

Maybe what's putting employers off is either the break or the fact I worked for the same company (though not in the same role) for ten years, although I can easily spin that as showing loyalty to a good employer. I just turned 40 which makes me worry about that as well.

OP posts:

WorkingBling · 22/05/2014 21:54

Working for the same company for ten years is usually seen as a good thing. And a variety of roles is also good because it shows you are adaptable. What industry?

Original poster

MinesaBottle · 22/05/2014 21:59

Financial services. I am looking in that industry but also in others, as my skills are transferable and I learn very fast! It hasn't helped that several companies have announced redundancies.

I just don't know if it's the break, my age, the fact I was made redundant - I know I'm not the only one in such a situation but it's really getting me down. I feel sometimes that I'll never work again or spend the rest of my life as a PA (not that there's anything wrong with being a PA but I was never the best at it and worked bloody hard to build the career I feel I'll probably have to forget about).

OP posts:

ElizaDolittle2 · 22/05/2014 22:22

Of course 10 months out of work does't make you unemployable.

It may just take time. It did with my DP.

You will get there I'm sure.

Ponkypink · 22/05/2014 22:29

No, it doesn't make you unemployable- in fact it's pretty much normal at the moment! After finishing my PhD (couple of years ago now, right at time of crash), I was unemployed for about a year, with a bit of casual work during but nothing most of the time and the same experience you've had with employers not even answering applications, or giving feedback which made it obvious they hadn't read my CV. My boyfriend was also unemployed around this time after losing a professional job through redundancy, then losing a temp one through illness- we've both now got long-term contracts again but were both out of work for more than 6 months, so don't give up hope. I wouldn't try too hard to attribute it to anything specific about you iyswim- it is more random luck, as far as I can tell, and there is not much you can do but maximise your chances by keeping on with the applications.

maddening · 22/05/2014 22:32

What part of the country are you in? What level and specialism within financial services were you in before? Can you do refresher courses - fsa is now fca and pra - lots of big regulatory changes, new Basel 3 requirements,liquidity, cass and cobs etc so showing you are up to date might help and a course would be evidence.

What do agents say?

I took a year out after voluntary redundancy - also had worked 11 years in previous place - I had a 1 year old (redundancy started 5 weeks after maternity) and he was 2 yr and 4 mths when I started my current job so it can be done.

Kerberos · 22/05/2014 22:34

Are you up to speed on social media?

maddening · 22/05/2014 22:37

Ps I was asked about the gap and I explained that I chose to apply for vol redundancy as it came with a package of a year salary tax free and I spent a lovely year with my son going to baby groups and out to lunch but now I was ready to get back to work. I told them how my child are would work and that this job would be ideal for me.

Original poster

MinesaBottle · 22/05/2014 22:39

Yes I am up to speed on social media. At least I think so. Although I worked in financial services I'm not an accountant - but although I've been keeping up with changes you're right that a refresher would be useful. Thanks all for the advice and support, I was feeling low today because I got another rejection - apparently my skillset doesn't match the requirements which is dumb because the JD was a great match for my skills! Bloody form rejections.

OP posts:

Original poster

MinesaBottle · 22/05/2014 22:41

Agents are positive btw, but I guess they have to be! I just hope I can find something soon as the mortgage insurance runs out in a few months and then we'll be having to dip into savings (DH can just about cover everything but it's not ideal).

OP posts:

WorkingBling · 22/05/2014 23:08

Mines: pm me. I don't know of anything specifically but I do employ people now and again on an ad hoc basis for projects and I know lots of people in financial services. No promises but happy to chat.

WorkingBling · 22/05/2014 23:08

Actually, I lie. I might know of something on a contract basis now that I think about it.

parentalunit · 22/05/2014 23:12

It might take some time to find a job - I heard around 12 months is not unusual for a good role (financial services), as the economy still isn't great.

Until then, have you considered taking on your own freelance work, eg from elance, peopleperhour etc? Your CV would be more up to date and reflect that you're working and still in the industry; and if you build up some good business you could either end up with your own business, or at the least some good references on linkedin/your website.

Best of luck.

parentalunit · 22/05/2014 23:14

Also...if you're getting form rejections, try changing the keywords you use on your CV/cover letter. Make sure they match the job description, so that you get bumped to the top of the pile in an automated screening system.

Cuteypatootey · 23/05/2014 01:06

Hi there, I don't think it's terrible to take a break as long as you are productive. If I was you I would take on some freelance work so you have something current on your CV, it makes you look more desirable than someone who is out of a job completely. I would also explore others options of applying for jobs besides agents. They take big fees and they can turn employers off, especially some with tight budgets. In my experience, they won't put you forward unless they think you are an easy sell for a role, which is an extra stumbling block. I would approach companies on my own. After you apply, bother the person considering the applications - they get lots. I have given people interviews for this as it makes me go back and look at their cv.
And what parentalunit says is good advice.

parentalunit · 23/05/2014 05:05

Have been thinking about this. Since you're in a specialized area, are there any good networking groups you could join? It might help you break into companies who are overwhelmed with applications or outsource their internal comms and might be interested in doing it inhouse to save money.

(you could introduce yourself as self-employed iyswim)

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