Career change when your confidence is rock bottom

[AllTheBlues]

I feel at a major crossroads in my life and not sure which way to turn.

I got my degree and postgrad qualification in my early 20s but immediately fell pregnant after so was a SAHM for a few years before falling into relatively low paid third sector work because it was often part time and flexible. However, I’m not enjoying my current role (mainly due to an iffy manager) and now my kids are older I want to pursue something better paid. A proper career.

I’m now 45 and feel stuck because I just don’t have the confidence to go for the better paid roles and not sure what else I’d be happy doing. Objectively, I know I’m a very good employee with a lot of transferable skills but every time I’ve gone for something better paid, I’m always turned down. I feel like I might be too old to retrain although I have a little money put aside to do another degree with OU perhaps if only I could work out what o actually want to do.

But it’s mainly my confidence that’s holding me back. Even reading job adverts sets my anxiety off and I tell myself they won’t want me. How do I get over this please and make some positive steps? Feeling pretty miserable, anxious and skint so any advice would be really appreciated. TIA

First thing is to remember that everyone gets loads of rejections- some of the most talented people I know from all types of careers can tell you about the long list of rejections they’ve had.

remember it’s a numbers game, so when in doubt- apply.

The key is to focus on an area that you are really keen on and start building experience related to it. What areas/ industry would you like to work in?

Is that confidence or negative self-esteem?

https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Self-Esteem

I feel your pain! What's your degree in?
I don't have a degree & have been self employed for many years which was profitable & worked well while my DCs were younger, they're now teens.
I have so many transferable skills from my business, but zero confidence due to my lack of a degree and relevant corporate experience. I feel like everyone knows more or has more experience than me!
I absolutely hate interviews, but I managed to get a role in local government 4years ago. I am now a Project Manager & they have supported me with relevant training etc. My confidence is definitely improving!
Once you take that initial step & get your foot in the door it becomes much easier!

Thanks for replying @Pelicanlover. And also for reminding me that others experience rejection too. I’m usually pretty good at getting interviews but I find them so stressful and it feels like a lot of work to put myself through such torture only to be in the same position with slightly lower self esteem! 😆

Id really love to get into something environment related but I’m also interested in design (interior, landscaping) but only have non-paid experience in this and not a lot at that! I’m very experienced in front line community development and have considered going for a management post but I don’t have formal management experience (although I manage people a lot in the community!) I am gearing up to ask to do a management training course at work but I’ve recently got the feeling that I’m about to be managed out so almost just want to keep my head down at the moment. I have a law degree so I could maybe go into that field but it all feels too competitive, especially given my age.

@passiveconstellation, thank you for this! I will definitely go through the resources. Yes, I’d say it’s more of a self esteem problem. I experienced a very traumatic betrayal by two very close people last year and my self esteem has taken a battering as a result but I’ve always struggled with self esteem at work in particular.

I have a law degree and LPC but it was so long ago, my knowledge is probably really out of date. There’s actually a position just been posted which would utilise my community development and legal knowledge but I don’t have any experience in that area of law so I’m reluctant to apply.

Thats amazing that you were able to run a business profitably! I did try and start a side business and was doing ok but I couldn’t cope with it all at the time and dropped it.

I’m sorry to hear you suffer similarly but it’s great that you got a role in the LA. It’s usually the LA jobs that I go for but I’ve never secured the position and am left with more cringe worthy material following the interviews where there is always a question about their processes that I can’t answer and still don’t know how to prepare for.