Brittany asks:
“I’ve spent the past five years in child care and now I really want a change of scenery, but why do employers give me such a hard time for wanting to change my career and my career goals? I feel like I’m going to be stuck in child care forever because it is the only experience (besides 6 months cashiering) I have.”
Great question, Brittany! It can be tough to change direction (particularly if you are really good at the line of work you’re leaving and have a lot of experience!) but the key is to consider the bigger skills you learned in that profession and apply them to your new career path.
For instance: if you wanted to enter the field of in-store, phone or online customer service, the patience and communication skills you’ve developed over the last five years are applicable to that new job. You may not have earned your stripes dealing with customers in the returns department of a big retailer, but being diplomatic with a 7-year-old screaming for a juice box is just as hard as staying professional when faced with customers who swear they didn’t wear the pants they’re returning (the tag just fell off and they got mixed in with the wash somehow).
The trick is writing and speaking about your experience in a way that potential employers would consider to be applicable to the job at hand, making them think ”yeah, I can see where that skill would apply here!” You may also have better luck if you shoot for entry-level or nearly entry-level jobs to get some quick industry experience, then plan to work your way up quickly to the jobs that you are aiming for.
Good luck with your job search!
-Amy
About Amy White
sorry me agin, in responce to the previous post, I to am having the same problem, i have been in healthcare ( cna, homecare and working in assisted living as a residant assistant) 20 plus years. I really want to get into something else working with peolpe but in a deifferent type setting, I have held other positions before healthcare but it was so long ago, I am finding evrything requests some experience, which i don’t have. does anyone train any longer, suugestions. i am in my 50″s and wondering if this is the problem??????? any feedback again appreciated…in WI
How do you apply for a job without showing your age? It is illegal for employers to ask for your age. However, when they ask for your date of graduation from school or how many years experience you have, they can figure it out. I found that there was age discrimination at my former job. Not that it can be proven, Now I find that employers won’t hire me because of my age.
Hi Sandy, technically a high school graduation date doesn’t give them your age- but you’re right, employers can certainly make an educated guess based on that information. I’m sorry you’re having such difficulty finding a job, you may want to check out these tips on ways to combat being labeled as overqualified: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/being-overqualified/
As far as I know it is. Oregon has a experience works program for over 50 and low income.
But to be honest I have only had 3 interviews in the last two years. I have a 3 inch binder full of applications and resumes. I also am moving out of my comfort zone as a property manager
I hope this forum is still active, because I can relate and need some advice! After working roughly 20 years in retail and sales, I’m trying to transition over to a management position with nothing to do with retail. I have been out of work now for alittle more than 2 months, and having no luck. Anhy and all advice would greatly be appreciated!
Hi Joe – Changing career directions can be scary. It sounds like you have a good amount of experience behind you. Have you previously held a management position? Focus on your leadership skills and be sure to mention how your experience will make you a great manager.
Great advice, Amy. Changing careers IS tough, especially if your target career has nothing to do with your current one. The key, like you said, is drawing upon the similarities, to show a potential employer that you DO have transferable skills.
Another important point is to make sure your own expectations are in check. You can’t expect to go from a manager-level position in one field to a manager-level position in a completely different field. Be willing to take a step back in title and pay – if you’re truly passionate about changing careers, this should be an acceptable trade-off.
Trying to change careers @ 60 because spouse’s health demands it. Have been an OTR Team- Truck Driver for 15 years. Really do not know anyone well enough for references because of the pace set by my last job. It is really amazing how many people have a very low opinion of the people who secure and transport millions of dollars of freight at once, while complying with stringent government regulations for safety and paper work of said freight. I have dealt with upset shippers and recievers and made them glad it was me fixing their problem. I have logged every minute of my time for 15 years with D.O.T. Officials looking for mistakes so they could fine me thousands of dollars,( always kept logs current and legal). Found my way from Georgia to California and back to Georgia in a 5 to 6 day cycle for 3 cycles in a row so I could have 3 days off for all the personal things most people do everynight, you know: laundry,pay bills, clean a very dusty house and enjoy a home cooked meal or two before I must pack to go do it again. Why is it when I give my references for driving a truck, people act like I’m a thieving, bank robbing child molester? Really tired of employment profile discrimenation. There really are good people who drive trucks. Never been arrested or ticketed. Never had an accident. Worked since I was 5 years old. There are lots of things I could do with my experience if they could get past the truck driving. Just because 1 person is bad does not make us all bad. Any suggestions on how to turn this around and make it work for me? Willing to work any entry level job, as long as it is home at the end of the day. Thank you.
Ruth, I commend you for all that you’ve done and what your trying to do. In many ways I enjoy all the things you want but at the same time the trade off is money. I don’t have any. I have lots of bills and debt but also in my view, due to employment profiling I am finding it difficult as a 45 year old man, dad of two (stay at home dad) of 15 years how to find something I am good at, passionate about and something I feel I can make a difference with. Its said that God has a plan for everyone but I don’t see it. My kids now want me to work so they can enjoy a bigger house, better cars and nicer clothes (I live in Orange County, CA) so that should tell ya something, home of Real housewives of Orange County) the show that got the rest of them started. But, we are not wealthy, in fact we live check to check only because my wife has a good job as an engineer. We were talking tonight about Christmas, for the first time, we may not have one because we won’t have enough money if I don’t find a job soon!
I’ve seen many jobs out there, very specific ones which require specific skills and experience and it’s hard for me if not impossible to try to fit into those jobs when all I have on my resume is photography, something I taught myself and have been doing since 2000.
Even when I put in photography, photographer as a key words on sites that send you job leads, they end up being jobs that have nothing to do with photography. I may not want to keep doing photography and want to transition into something else, but what? With no training, no money for education, and kids who have furlough days and days off in the middle of the week, who is there for them? I have needed to be there for them at various levels of their childhood, now they kinda need me and kinda don’t … but I feel bad leaving them yet, I feel bad for not making money. What is a father to do….
BTW Ruth, thanks for being that person out on long hauls who get’s us our things, keep up the good work in what ever you do. I think God has a special place in his heart for Truckers!
I have worked as a self taught, freelance photographer for 12 years. I have some good success but the economy is weakened my business, not to mention I just don’t have the funds to keep it going. I believe that my skills as an entrepreneur should help me along with sales and all the other aspects it takes to start and run a small business should help transition me into another kind of profession. My resume is heavy with photography as would be expected, the truth is; along with being a self employed photographer I have also been a stay at home dad for 15 years. There have been times when I’ve worked part time jobs but for the most part I’ve been in a position to be the primary care provider for my two kids.
There does not seem to be the same support for me as there is for women in regard to this situation.
I don’t want to just get any job for a pay check, I’ve been there and done that- I want to do something with my life at 45 that I feel like I can do for as long as possible, make a positive impact and make a decent living at.
Although, I don’t have a degree and a “strong record” of work history other than self employment I am having struggling to find the right fit for my personality, strengths and interests where I feel like I can make a difference and a reasonable living in Orange County, CA.
Anyone have any ideas or leads that can help me transition my photography heavy resume into a general resume that is appealing to a variety of opportunities? I know they say, your resume should be specific to the position/field, but that can only go so far with minimal experience that can be applied.
And, in terms of going back to school…the money is not there, and I’ve already got student loans from 20 years ago that I can’t afford to pay so I don’t think that’s a possibility.
Heeelp!
NJ must be one of the most clogged states in the Tri-State area for getting a job.
I retrained 2 years ago in Medical Billing & Coding, I got great grades, understood what I was doing & graduated. All jobs in the field want 2-5 years experience: it’s the proverbial Catch 22 situation: How to get experience when you can’t get a job.
Also, there seems to be age discrimination going on: other women in the class, over 50 years old, have been unable to find work as well.
Instead of younger interviewers viewing us a stable, able, willing & flexible workers, we’re seen as ‘old’, any experience on resumes is too old & dated. Instead of being turned down for jobs because we ‘might get pregnant & have to leave’, it’s we’ could have a heart attack, stroke etc at any moment!
Brittany and I are in the boat. I have been a teacher assistant for 10 tens and I’m ready to get back in the criminal justice field. I went to school to update my skills in this field about three years, however, I’m still having a problem getting onto it. But I have not given up.
Brittany,I’m in that same boat with you. I have been a teacher assistant for 10 tens years and I’m ready to get back in the criminal justice field. I went to school to update my skills in the criminal justice field about three years ago and I’m still unable to find employment in the legal field. But I have not given up.
I have been unemployed since 2011 when I was laid off from my customer service representative position. Since then I have taken so many temp jobs, that I seriously don’t think that employers take me seriously anymore. That and the fact that I am 58, female and in New Jersey does not help.
I need a job desperately as the bills are backing up and I cannot afford to temp anymore since the jobs are now becoming few and far between.
I really enjoy working as a customer service representative, but no one is willing to hire me.
If anyone has any suggestions how to get out of this mess, I would appreciate.
It is refreshing to hear from people who are having the same problems that I am having in finding employment. I have been a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for 36 years. For 14 years I provided care in acute hospitals in the medical, surgical, ICU, CCU, and Telemetry units however for the last 23 years I have worked in an medical administrative capacity in quality improvement, utilization management, case manager, and behavioral health hospital admitting manager. In 2009, I was laid off from my job as the manager of the admitting department because of a company reorganization initiative and as a new hire (LIFO) was laid off because my position was eliminated. I have a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, a Master of Business Administration, and I am completing a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Industrial Organizational Development with a specialty in Mediation and Conflict Resolution.
My problem as you can guess is no one is calling me. I have submitted close to 300 applications and have had maybe 5 interviews which have resulted in no call backs or I am one of 3 finalists and not the one chosen. I have been told that the employers in the healthcare field prefer RN candidates and since I am an LPN I was not considered. I am frustrated because I have 23 years experience and multiple business degrees!!! Any suggestions! Valarie
It is refreshing to hear from people who are having the same problems that I am having in finding employment. I have been a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) for 36 years in Hawaii. For 14 years I provided care in acute hospitals in the medical, surgical, ICU, CCU, and Telemetry units however for the last 23 years I have worked in an medical administrative capacity in quality improvement, utilization management, case manager, and behavioral health hospital admitting manager. In 2009, I was laid off from my job as the manager of the admitting department because of a company reorganization initiative and as a new hire (LIFO) was laid off because my position was eliminated. I have a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, a Master of Business Administration, and I am completing a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Industrial Organizational Development with a specialty in Mediation and Conflict Resolution.
My problem as you can guess is no one is calling me. I have submitted close to 300 applications and have had maybe 5 interviews which have resulted in no call backs or I am one of 3 finalists and not the one chosen. I have been told that the employers in the healthcare field prefer RN candidates and since I am an LPN I was not considered. I am frustrated because I have 23 years experience and multiple business degrees!!! Any suggestions! Valarie