Career suicide?

[LaraS2511]

So I was in a social work role for 19 yrs, felt burnt out, frequent migraines etc but loved the difference I made, lots of job satisfaction etc. I left & took up a role in the civil service, it was a promotion as in better pay & annual leave. This was over 2 yrs ago. I’m incredibly bored, have little motivation & struggling working at home.

I recently applied for a social work post in a failing local authority, inadequate Ofsted so I know it would be challenge. I struggled with the interview on Teams, had brain fog & didn’t say as much as I should have but it wasn’t awful either, I didn’t get great vibes from the three people who interviewed me. I have heard nothing 3 weeks on from the interview, I emailed the person who set up the interview from recruitment but nothing, originally I was told I would know in a week. Just some feedback would be nice!

I feel so embarrassed, low & depressed. I left on a career high, had lots of experience & always felt I gave it 100% & now I can’t get a post in a failing local authority despite my experience. I feel like this was career suicide & I will never get back to what I was doing before. Any advice?!

To be honest they sound incredibly disorganised and I think you’ve dodged a bullet!
In your line of work I’d advise next time contacting the named person for further information and going for an informal visit. It can make a big difference to how you both feel about each other.
Good luck

I think you go - phew what a relief I didn’t get that job and take this as a sign to apply for much better jobs in non-failing local authorities - reach up with your experience and expertise. Believe in your value and show it to yourself through your actions.

That's such a rubbish recruitement experience I wonder why they're a failing LA! With all your experience I'm sure you will be fantastic in a future social work role. The last thing you should feel is embarrassed this one wasn't meant to be and it's their loss.

Having worked in a very similar role, burnout and moved to something "easier" I would say just be careful that you're considering the trauma element that comes with social Work and similar roles. I definitely think part of me was subconsciously a bit addicted to the adrenaline of juggling a really high stress workload and really emotionally complex situations and then when I moved due to burnout, I struggled massively to settle but I think it was difficult to accept what is actually a normal change of pace with more managed boundaries. It took me a good year and a bit and a couple of job changes to find a healthy middle ground and now I've a job I really enjoy that's similarish to social work in vibe but that's more paced and I have more down time to actually work creatively and proactively which is better. Becoming a parent as well as therapy really helped me adjust actually.

Obviously this might just not be the job for you, but it sounds like you're jumping from the frying pan into the fire going from burnout in a semi supported sw role to an understaffed and struggling team. I think it would be important to really internally question your motives for that and I say that with kindness because this work definitely takes a toll.

All that being said if you're sure this is for you, I would consider this a lucky escape from that particular team and keep an eye out for other opportunities knowing its what is in your vision. Alternatively would you look at freelance roles that would supposed sw teams?

Can I ask what is your new role as I have sw qualification and be interested in a new role.

You’ve only applied for one job! I have had to apply for quite a lot of jobs over the years - absolute numbers game, you’ll be fine. Is frustrating but dust yourself off and get the next app in. Also have you got a clear narrative about leaving?