Anyone stuck in a profession they can't get out of?

[Whataboutno]

I work in creative design, have worked in this field for over 10 years but I can't get another job, or even an interview. I have applied for so many jobs and can't get another role. I feel so stuck and don't know where to turn next. I can't afford to retrain either as I'm the main earner for my children.

Can anyone relate or what did you do to get out of your chosen profession?

Can we swap, I love to get into creative design! But yes the more years you spend in a profession the harder it us to get out without taking a huge payout - very annoying!

I moved from the adult industry to charitable sector, albeit in a similar IT role. I still feel like I've pulled off a heist. If I can do it, anyone can. Find a job you want then show them you are more than capable of doing it.

Yes I would love to swap! It's so hard isn't it? I can't seem to get past the competencies stage even though I have tried very hard.
The adult industry must have been interesting!

I can relate. They say my profession is 'a qualification not a life sentence' but it feels like one to me.

I trained in childcare, so that’s the only profession I can get into. Currently doing an open university degree to give myself more options!

Sort of.
I have been in Sales for years and I can always get a Sales Job with a decent salary etc. I tried to change direction in The Public Sector about 15 years ago and couldn’t get an interview (despite being able to demonstrate transferable skills and meet the key job attributes etc).
About 5 months ago I was in a Sales role I didn’t love and saw an ad for Immigration decision officers. I did the online tests and scored in the top 10% apparently but no interview. I am actually glad though because I got a new job within my field recently and really love it.

What would you like to do?

Why not move to an organisation as a Designer and then apply for roles internally. I'm sure I saw an advert for a Creative Designer on the Civil Service Jobs website yesterday.

@kudupoo are you a teacher?

I would be happy to keep doing what I am doing but I can't get another job in this field as it's so competitive! If I could go back and not choose graphic design I would do so in a heartbeat!

DVLA Creative Designer

DEFRA Graphic Designer & Videographer

I applied for a grad scheme that paid me a good salary and also funded my masters degree and gave me a £6k training budget, without that I couldn’t have afforded to retrain and would have been stuck. I think it depends what your current salary is, obviously keeping a similar salary when changing roles is easier the less you earn. I can’t imagine there’s many entry level roles paying 50k+, but there’s probably a fair few paying 30k if you have transferable skills.

I'm a teacher, I love working with children but hate all the marking, admin, stress! I'd love to change jobs but I'd be looking at around a £20k pay cut (LSA) or lose out on the holidays which are a godsend with two young children! One day, when they're grown up, I'd like to think I'll be able to change 🤞

@beetlebum1981 hopefully you can explore different avenues when the children are older

Thanks @whydoesthecatalwaysdothat I will have a look at those.

Seems like a lot of people in the same boat at least ⛵

@Whataboutno

Not a teacher , no such luck!

I have a professional qualification and did that career for 12 years. When I was badly bullied and discriminated against I was able to get out easier than I thought I would because of my love of continuous study (so I had other qualifications) and also my volunteer work (so I had other experiences)
So those are your routes out.
You may need to take a pay cut to start somewhere else. I have, but the job and people are so much better.