AIBU to feel like I will now never have a career?

[hayleycappo]

Having worked doing admin for a business, I’ve now lost my job (due to Covid) and it’s highly unlikely to continue again. I gave up my career in investment banking many years ago, to raise my kids (primary age). I’ve gone for 5 interviews over past 5 months and always don’t succeed (usually get to last 2 candidates but that doesn’t get me the job!) I’m going for the well paid, part-time jobs, that are like gold dust and it’s so frustrating. I’m 43, I want to feel valued and like what I do. I want to retrain but I have no idea what. I want something well paid, but I have no loves, or passions, nothing that seems a natural move. I like processes and people, that’s about it. I’ve lost so much confidence now and I know it will be even harder to find work.
Have other people successfully retrained at this age and what have you done? I feel so lost :-(

I had to work full time, if I'd have just gone for part time I would have had to stop my career years ago. I was in a great part time role, retrained to the next level, but had to go full time to carry on even though it was financially difficult to start with. It paid off as now I work from home regularly, flexi, as a manager I have a lot more freedom which makes being a working mum much easier than even when I was part time. So I'd be careful ruling out full time if you want a career.

I also think you need to lower your expectations. I was a retail buyer until 2 weeks ago, went back part time after having my son, but the company folded. I feel like I want to get out of the industry as it's collapsing like a house of cards, but don't expect to find anything part time that's not fairly entry-level pay. I'll look at something else full time when he goes to school.

Processes and people? Project management sounds like the route for you.

I feel for you - it’s not easy - I would persist with applying for roles.

You will increase your prospects if you go full time. It’s what I had to do at your age when I had very young DCs and I was newly divorced. Then, once you are back you will have more leverage to pull back to part time.

I’ve stayed full time as I need / like the financial security. My DCs are primary school aged now, and it’s still very hard, but ultimately it’s given me broader career prospects.

What about a company secretary role? You can train before starting in an assistant role if necessary

I would register with some national employment agencies where you live and if you can get some temporary contracts, you might find your way is clearer. For example Adecco place agency staff in the NHS and local authorities in a wide range of roles. Even in pandemics, they'll need staff.

@hammeringinmyhead I left fashion buying 6 yrs ago because it was impossible to do p/t. I loved it but I'm so glad I did as it's so unstable now.

Im p/t but will need to increase to minimum 4 days to progress further but still hope to remain tto

@mochajoes I know, I was so pleased when I negotiated 3 days a week but 6 months later, here we are! I get 12 weeks notice pay so at least have some breathing space.

Keep going! I know it's frustrating and I feel a bit like this at the moment, however as someone already said you must be doing something right to be getting so close.

I also think considering full time advertised roles with bigger companies who will have more of a flexible working policy could be a good shout. I'd love to work for a start up but I know some that do and they tend to want you there all of the time. Bigger companies have flexibility built in now as they have to be seen to be diverse and responsible and many really are.

I contract (well I did until now thanks to CV!) and have done interim work for two huge companies in the last two years. Both were really flexible but you don't know until you are at the point of an offer so it's hard to know. Just see how you get on and if you are offered full time you can negotiate. If you have to turn down a job that's ok. Best of luck! I'm feeling like I need a change too and don't want to go back to commuting... I also would love part time but I've never seen anything really.

Nah, you’re not too old if you put the time and effort in. My mum (who had a first career as a teacher) began a part-time masters in counselling in her late 50s, qualified as a counsellor and now in her late 60s has a busy counselling practice and is doing her phd. She has no intention of retiring anytime soon. You seriously can still have a career.

I would strongly suggest considering full time roles. Accept you may need to be full time for, say, a 6 months to a year before you will be considered for part time. Most part time jobs are not advertised, they are given to people who are already known and trusted to get the job done.

Agree about looking into banking “returnships” though again these are likely to be full time. Several banks ran them last year - I don’t know about this year...

Also, use any contacts from when you were working. Get on Linkedin and connect with anyone you used to work with who is likely to remember you (this depends how long ago you stopped I guess). If there was someone who rated you back then, that’s often a good way back in.

Don't go near teaching