Can't get a new job

[notaflyingmonkey]

I hate my current job with a passion, the environment is toxic, and no matter how hard I work it is never enough (I'm a senior manager).

Main problem being it is so toxic and backward in culture that I no longer recognise the person I have become as I spend my days jumping through hoops.

But having applied for countless jobs and hardly getting a sniff at anything, I am coming to the conclusion that at the age of 57 this might be it for me, my real skills are atrophied and my confidence is in my boots. The very thought of another five years or so of this feels me with dread.

Hi op sorry your experiencing this.

You cant stay in your current role thats for sure. Is there another team or department that you could shift to or is the culture and toxic nature throughout the organisation?

If you do feel your age is a driver ammend your cv to only most recent work, leave out dates. Let your experience speak!!! However you dont want to work somewhere that shows agism at all...!! Would be an interest experiment none the less!!!

A bad workplace is not worth ruining ypur mental wellbeing I hope you find something soon!

Thanks for the response.

Yes, I think I need to revisit my CV. I am in a specialist role in my organisation, so there is nowhere internally for me to go, even if I wanted to.

Hi nota have sent you a pm

Are you getting interviews or not getting to that point? I.e. is it your CV or interviewing?

Do you have dates on your CV? There should be none and no indication of your age. I have even reduced some intro comments from ‘40 years experience’ to ‘over 25 years experience’.

Is your CV in a current, modern style or a traditional style?

I do think employers want fresh, new ideas as well as experience and this is tough to demonstrate at an older age.

How is your pension provision? Could you part retire, start drawing and get a lower paid job that you enjoy to top up?

I've had a couple of first interviews over zoom, but haven't made it beyond that. (I think I do much better at these things face to face).

I have dates on my CV for my degree, and then for each job.

My pension provision is fairly pants, so the best I can think of at the moment is moving to condensed hours so that I at least minimise the time spent dealing with toxic people.

My confidence is in my boots.

I’d suggest removing all dates from your CV.

Do you have every job listed? Consolidate some early ones.

What style is the cv? I like the attached example (without photo).

Remove dates and consider removing early career jobs if they do not demonstrate your skills, that aren’t otherwise covered in your more recent roles.

My CV structure is

Personal bio
Key skills and attributes (think about transferable skills here)
Roles
Education and other achievements
Other- driving licence/mobility

You can do it!

Thanks for your responses. They were really helpful.

I’d also suggest getting someone else to write the key skill or personal statement elements of any cv - it’s damn hard to sell yourself!!! But people who know you well might know what your marketable qualities are!