Would you give me a job?

[Jedzuki]

Hello everyone. Looking for a bit of advice on the best way to move forwards.

I am 47. Got a degree in chemical engineering 20 odd years ago, but did not manage to get a job in the industry, despite some interviews. I did not have much self confidence or social skills.

I was unemployed for a while, then got a job in a tourism company. I am still with this company as a supervisor. Responsible for a shop and small factory that makes products for it.

Perhaps because of my lack of self confidence, I have never really been ambitious or worried about having a well paid graduate job. Also, I work with many people worse off than me who just work seasonally.

That has just changed. This may be a bit of a mid-life crisis, but I am now feeling like a failure and worried about my lack of a good job.

Tidying up my CV for various jobsites. Will also probably try to see a professional advisor. Not really sure of the best way forwards.

Is my situation a big red flag?

Anyone else been here?

All advice welcome. Many thanks.

[rog007]

You can take some solace from the fact that you're one of many who find themselves in this situation. You've made the first important step, recognising your situation.

Next steps are really important if you're not to dent your confidence. I and others on here and elsewhere are experienced in dealing with such scenarios and can support clients in a number of ways.

Regardless, good luck as I'm sure there's an exciting future ahead if you grab it and make a go of it.

Happy to give some feedback on your CV in the meantime if that would help.

Good luck!

[anonymous-user]

47 is still young.

A word of warning, recruitment agencies will place you in anything they think they can make money from.

NOT necessarily what is going to be best for YOU and YOUR career. Keep that in mind.

So it's probably a good idea to scan the job boards and try and gauge which direction you think is right for you.

Having a 2nd and 3rd choice could also be a wise move.

Good luck.

[RodUK]

I can empathise with this. Got made redundant from my last 'proper' job at age 55. Now working mad hours for minimum wage just to keep some income. I regularly come into contact with people in business who really have no clue what they are doing, and I know I could so much better. So at 47 my message to you is: you still have many years left to offer and you have longer experience than most. Be confident! Be enthusiastic! Go for it! And good luck.

[andy-xr]

If I read it right, you just got laid off? I wouldnt worry too much (easier said than done) because everyone I know bar two guys was laid off somewhere between 2008 and 2011 in the great tech meltdown. If you'd been in this chemical engineering then, there's every chance you'd have been 're-aligned' when everyone thought the banks were going to fall over and st the bed.

The next step I guess depends on you.

I know for me, a job that's reporting into an idiot isnt going to work well for me. Neither is a big commute, neither is a lot of travel. And big wages come with big expectations and short timescales to deliver, so they're probably something I'd avoid as well. I kind of like balance, some middle ground, enough responsibility that I'm not bored out of my skull, but not too much that I'm blatantly incompetent

I guess you dont have to do anything with this degree, other than show you've got it. I'ad assume you've probably got more from the years of experience in supervisory roles than whatever a degree could give you in terms of feet in doors. Another supervisory post perhaps?

Recruiters - generally they're complete fking idiots who'll drag you round the country on their whim leaving you out of pocket and wishing you'd spent that time doing anything else, from re-arranging your sock drawer to spending another couple of hours on Jobsite. Very few will actually have something of substance, they'll all want to profile you, tell you how great they are and then call you back if they have something that matches. They rarely call, other than to ask who you're interviewing with so they can call that employer as well (and then give you their other candidates as competition)

I'd start with a) your network and b) your local area if there are companies who you think you'd like to work for there's no harm in making a casual approach to them to see if there's any interest. Overly formal never really gets in the door, sniffing out whether there's a shared opportunity and exploring that can be done without being too formal, because you can always step it up

There's not really a lot stopping you getting a job tbh, it's what you're willing to accept, compromise on and think 'this is a good job for me'

[Jedzuki]

Thanks everyone.

I am still writing a new CV. Many thanks to rog007 and will pass on my CV for inspection once done.

Still have the supervisor job, but never a graduate job. Suppose there is no way to refresh the BEng?

Feel like I am on the wrong road and there are only a few junctions left!

[Roscco]

Worst ' Would you employ a crossdresser/transvestite' thread ever.

[bmwmike]

Op I read your opening post and wasn't sure what you meant by big red flag. Is it because you havent used your primary degree ? If so I know loads of people who have done that. You are supervisor level so have progressed. Dress it up a bit to bling out your core strengths and if they ask why you are going for a degree based role say you fancy a change.

Sorry if I've missed the point. Either way you are relatively young and with the right resourcefullness world is your oyster.

[davepoth]

bmwmike said:

Op I read your opening post and wasn't sure what you meant by big red flag. Is it because you havent used your primary degree ? If so I know loads of people who have done that. You are supervisor level so have progressed. Dress it up a bit to bling out your core strengths and if they ask why you are going for a degree based role say you fancy a change.

Sorry if I've missed the point. Either way you are relatively young and with the right resourcefullness world is your oyster.

As above. Responsibility for a factory and a shop is more than "supervisor" would suggest, so I'd major on the management parts of your role when you describe it in your CV. Every manager I've ever had in my (fairly) technical role has had no formal qualification and little experience in the thing I do, but having proven success and experience in management is like gold dust.