Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Being brave and leaving a job I've been in forever

37 replies

ReinventingMyselfSlowly · 11/04/2023 18:20

I've been in the same company for nearly 20 years. I've had lots of opportunity and am now senior enough, but I'm bored and jaded and it's time for a change. The hours are all over the place and I've recognised that its preventing me putting in place good habits in my personal life.

This is the year I leave. I've said it before but haven't done anything - honestly I think I'm a bit institutionalised. I've dipped my toe in and applied for a few jobs but haven't made it to a single interview. I'm also checking out people on LinkedIn and many of the people I'd be working for are younger than me. I'm worried I missed my chance and should have moved years ago.

I'm determined to move to a new company and challenge myself but I'm feeling daunted. Any advice or happy stories would be very welcome!

OP posts:
Thehonestybox · 11/04/2023 18:50

I've moved jobs every two-three years. You will be fine! It's a really nice feeling to have 'eras' in your career. Keep applying, but if you still don't get interviews after a couple of months, try push for a secondment or short career break to do some professional development?

Honestly it's so good you've had this realisation now and not the year you retire!

mycatsanutter · 11/04/2023 18:51

I moved in February after 28 years. absolutely love my new job no regrets at all !

Amigobay · 11/04/2023 18:57

Last month I started a fantastic new job after working in my previous job for nearly 14 years! At the start of the year I told myself I needed to put myself first, I didn’t have to stay there out of loyalty and be miserable for another decade or more.
In January I did my CV and started applying for jobs in a couple of different fields. I was terrified when I had interviews, but I was offered a great role. I’ll admit since starting I worry that I’m older than the other new people but I try not to let it get to me!

good luck!!

30ishiwish · 11/04/2023 18:58

I moved last September, after 18 in the same role. It’s strange and everyone and everything is new but I’m absolutely loving my new job. Most days!

3luckystars · 11/04/2023 18:59

Now that you have said it, you can do it.
I moved jobs after a longer time, and it was not easy but was the right thing to do.

Move now and don’t waste any more of your life. Good luck.

Bridgingthefeckingmassivegap · 11/04/2023 19:01

It's great you've recognized the time for a change. It's worth getting an external eye to look over your CV to make sure you aren't accidentally using internal lingo or making assumptions that everyone uses the same terms, as that's a common theme I see on cvs of people who've been in the one place for a long while. A good recruiter can help with this.

NameChangedForWorkRelatedPost · 11/04/2023 19:03

I recently left an organisation after almost 10 years. I loved the organisation and still liked my job, but had reached as high as I could go and felt that I needed to move to get further in my career.

I'm now 4 weeks in to my new job. The first week was horrible and I did wonder if I'd made a massive mistake. But I think it was just being so far out of my comfort zone. Things have got a lot better.

Best of all I'm still in touch with my lovely ex-colleagues, who were what made me love the old job. So it's the best of both worlds.

Good luck!

flummingbird · 11/04/2023 19:03

I changed a year ago next week, after 23 years. It's not all been sunshine and roses, but I wouldn't go back for anything. I love it now after a few hiccups at the start, I feel appreciated and I know they're happy with my work. I would definitely go for it again if I was taken back...

mycatsanutter · 11/04/2023 20:06

@flummingbird it's great isn't it ! A risk but sounds like it's paid off for both of us , I'm so much happier despite the pay cut

Notanothernewname · 11/04/2023 20:23

I moved jobs last year after 16 years with the same company, best decision I've made. I feel so much more appreciate. I too was institutionalised. It's very hard to do the jump when you've been somewhere so long. I've not regretted it at all.

CrapBucket · 11/04/2023 20:26

I’ve been at the same company for over 20 years, I never thought I would stay so long but then I had kids and got sort of trapped by the flexible working and then scared to leave. However I have decided to take the leap. Good luck OP.

mycatsanutter · 11/04/2023 21:48

@CrapBucket that was exactly my situation, but so glad I made the move

RightWhereINeedToBe · 11/04/2023 21:52

Go for it!

I was made redundant from my job of 14 years but it was really the push I had been waiting for.

I've somehow ended up in my absolute dream job. Don't ask me how, but it's honestly a dream come true for me.

You never know where you'll end up, take the plunge!

Original poster
ReinventingMyselfSlowly · 11/04/2023 22:31

Thank you so much all of you, that's an amazing response. I put my phone down for a couple of hours and just checked to see if anyone replied. I feel so encouraged that so many of you were in the same boat and made the right move. @CrapBucket I feel trapped by the flexibility with the kids too. But I'm more determined now. I want to challenge myself, be out of my comfort zone. Good luck to you too. @Bridgingthefeckingmassivegap thank you for that suggestion, I'll get someone to look at my CV. I probably am thinking about what it would look like inside the company versus outside it.

OP posts:
Original poster
ReinventingMyselfSlowly · 11/04/2023 22:36

And actually I've had another little realisation reading your replies. I've been here so long and it's a big company so I know what my job and level means internally. But I'm finding it hard to match it in external companies - do I go more senior in a smaller company, or go sideways in a similar one, what is a step back? But I've remembered advice that I got at a pivotal moment a few years that there is no such thing as a backwards step. So I think I need to apply more widely as I don't really know what my level translates to externally and even if the next job is just the one to get me out of the company, it's a forward step.

OP posts:
Getoutwhileyoucan · 12/04/2023 08:36

After 15 years in a job I knew inside out I went for a complete career change. I didn't realise that I had so many transferable skills and like other posters have suggested I applied for jobs using their language and terminology. It may sound obvious but I found that methodically going through their person spec. and providing something for each point really helped to get interviews. Even if you don't quite meet a couple of them always put something. Research shows men do it all the time and get jobs with only 60% of what is being asked for whereas women tend to believe that they've got no chance if they can't evidence 100% of what is being asked for and so don't even apply.
I thought I'd struggle but within a month of deciding to leave I applied for four jobs, got three interviews, was offered one job and second choice/reserve in another. Ended up taking the reserve job as it had more opportunities to progress. Have recently moved on to another job and now earn more plus they want me to do another Masters degree (they're paying and I'll get a study day each week for 12 months!). Be brave!

Paridae · 13/04/2023 13:03

Congrats on making the move. I quit my job too to build my own company… it’s been a hard journey but I feel like I’ve grown more and feel grateful that I had the courage to make the move.

Nowifi · 13/04/2023 21:07

I left a job after 10 years and I was so terrified, I honestly think changing jobs is one of the hardest things to do and it does require a certain amount of risk and blind faith..now looking to change again after 5 years and feeling scared all over again!

Evamaisie · 13/04/2023 22:12

Getoutwhileyoucan · 12/04/2023 08:36

After 15 years in a job I knew inside out I went for a complete career change. I didn't realise that I had so many transferable skills and like other posters have suggested I applied for jobs using their language and terminology. It may sound obvious but I found that methodically going through their person spec. and providing something for each point really helped to get interviews. Even if you don't quite meet a couple of them always put something. Research shows men do it all the time and get jobs with only 60% of what is being asked for whereas women tend to believe that they've got no chance if they can't evidence 100% of what is being asked for and so don't even apply.
I thought I'd struggle but within a month of deciding to leave I applied for four jobs, got three interviews, was offered one job and second choice/reserve in another. Ended up taking the reserve job as it had more opportunities to progress. Have recently moved on to another job and now earn more plus they want me to do another Masters degree (they're paying and I'll get a study day each week for 12 months!). Be brave!

This is amazing, congratulations! What did you change from and to?

Oblomov23 · 13/04/2023 22:29

Looking for a new job now. Made redundant last week after 12 years. We are all so sad. Best job I ever had. Took ds2 all the way through primary. 5 minute walk from My house, people do nice, job do easy I could do it with my eyes closed, no stress. So sad.

Get your Cv out there. Apply for quite a few jobs even if you aren't that keen, anything semi reasonable, just to get your Cv into the system. Good luck,

gkd1234 · 13/04/2023 22:42

CrapBucket · 11/04/2023 20:26

I’ve been at the same company for over 20 years, I never thought I would stay so long but then I had kids and got sort of trapped by the flexible working and then scared to leave. However I have decided to take the leap. Good luck OP.

This is me apart from it's 10 years and that I haven't leapt yet!
But I do need to, I've had this week off and am dreading going back in on Monday.
I will never be able match the flexibility and conditions of my current role - this is what is putting me off finding something else.

Dingus · 13/04/2023 22:42

I'm about to leave my job of about 15 years. It's really scary, but I'm also really excited 🙂.

gkd1234 · 13/04/2023 22:45

Even if the next job is just the one to get me out of the company, it's a forward step.

I like this OP!

Oblomov23 · 15/04/2023 15:19

@ReinventingMyselfSlowly
Where are you at now OP?

I have to go into my company to finish tomorrow. Sad.

Original poster
ReinventingMyselfSlowly · 15/04/2023 15:22

Oblomov23 · 15/04/2023 15:19

@ReinventingMyselfSlowly
Where are you at now OP?

I have to go into my company to finish tomorrow. Sad.

I have applied for a couple of things. One came back straight away with a no. I have identified a couple more and just have to sit down with the CV. I have forgotten how much work it is each time!

OP posts: