Resume-writin', job-huntin', career-changin' blues

[Rooster_Ties]

Trying to reinvent yourself is a pain in the ass. -_-

( Sorry this is longer than I really intended, but I don't know what to cut, and I don't have the time to edit it down like I probably should. Wasn't it Mark Twain who said once "sorry this letter is so long, but I didn't have time to write you a short letter." - ??? )

Background: I was laid off in January of 2003 (yes, nearly a year ago), and have been having a devil of a time trying to figure out what the heck to do with my life, career-wise. Every new idea I come up with seems to have lots and lots of hurdles to overcome, many of which would end up requiring considerably more education (specialized masters degrees, with undergrad requirements that aren't anywhere close to being in my transcript).

I never was a "specialist" in what I did before (for the last 10 years), which is really my entire career - since I've only had one full-time job in my entire life (the one I was laid off from). But what I did before appears (on paper) to have been a technical job, and one that was fairly specialized (at least to the outside world).

I was a software development analyst, which is to say that I was a BUSINESS ANALYST, crafting Business solutions (more than technical solutions), working within a software development environment. I helped gather all the information necessary to decide what the software should do for hundreds of the internal customers of the corporation I worked for. I worked with other people (in other business units within the company) to determine what the Business Requirements were, in order to write all the functional and technical specifications for the "real" software developers. Sure I picked up some programming skills, here and there. But I was NEVER much of a good programmer, ever - and I hate programming.

I'm now (this week) in the process of rewriting my resume, in order to apply for a job as an Executive Assistant to the Dean of a local public University. Much of what I did in my old job, planning and developing short term and long term strategies for specific business issues (and the software to implement those solutions), etc... – seems relevant to this sort of a position. But getting it all on paper in a way that accents all the right things, is proving to be a real challenge.

And speaking of being a challenge, so is trying to reinvent yourself after 10+ years, when I never really did "invent" myself in the first place. ( )

I have a Computer Science degree from a good liberal arts college, and also a separate music degree as well – although the music degree is pretty much non-functional, since I really didn't concentrate in any one area much. (I was kind of a hybrid vocalist/music-history major, with very little theory, and my functional music skills are just "OK" at best. I do have solid enough vocal skills to have sung in the Kansas City Symphony Chorus for the last 8 years or so. )

Anyway, my heart isn't in computers, and it never was...

What I really wanted to find (at least six months ago, and for the two or three months after that) was some sort of support-role in some sort of Architecture-related firm, doing design requirements gathering. But I found out rather quickly that you pretty much have to be an Architect to do that sort of thing (along with all the other responsibilities of an Architect), and that would mean a good 6 years more school for me. Plus, I don't think I have the technical background, or (more importantly) the natural technical aptitude to be an architect. (And lots of Architecture jobs are starting to go over to India too, believe it or not – or at least they're starting to, from what I understand.)

I also looked at working for some sort of 'not-for-profit' organization, doing grant-writing (which is something similar to a software selection process I went through for a big nine-month project I was on, helping to select a multi-million dollar software vendor - I was one of 16 on the selection committee). But I've found that most of the not-for-profits around here, that are big enough to hire full-time grant writers, are nearly all medical research institutes (at least here in Kansas City). But I have no interest or aptitude for medical research.

The majority of the not-for-profits in and around Kansas City are otherwise pretty small, and most of the people who write the grants for them are the directors of the organization (along with their board of directors). But more over, the kind of grant-writing, "grant-winning" process these organizations go through appears to be more similar to being a political lobbyist, than what I had in mind (which I was hoping would be literally that, 'writing' the grant requests, compiling all the information for them, etc...).

I'm a fairly introverted guy, and I can't imaging having to be "on" and "sell" an organization to potential funding sources (in person), and having to develop long-term relationships with those organizations (based on lots of face and phone contact). In fact, the fact that I'm so introverted, but also such a "generalist", really does seem to be part of my problem.

My last job (which was my only full-time job, ever!!), was something I kind of just 'stumbled' into -- one of those "right place at the right time" stories. I hate to say this, but... I'm 35 years old, and this is my very first REAL job search. ( ) And on top of that, I really don't have any strong career goals ( ), other than to work for a good organization, and work in a creative environment, and hopefully one that isn't as high-stress as my last job had become in those last 2-3 years.

The last job I had was GREAT for about the first 5-6 years (1994 to about 1999 or 2000), and then IT (computer software systems) started changing rapidly, with massive outsourcing, and large-scale software systems being "purchased", instead of solutions being developed in-house. Now everyone in IT has to be a specialist, or else be a manager -- and I have never managed people before (and I know I'm not a very effective leader, so I have NO interest in becoming a manager).

Well, I really should get back to work on this stuff. I've thought about starting a thread like this 100 times or more, but just never have, until today. And I guess in some ways, I've kind of had my head in the sand (at least off and on), ever since I got laid off nearly a year ago.

Has anyone here ever had to go through some serious "re-invention" of themselves, career-wise???? Any ideas for how to go about doing it?? - especially when I see myself being a career "generalist" all my life (which I don't think is a bad thing, actually). But I'm afraid most of what I see (or maybe what I choose to see, probably) are hurdles and brick walls, rather than opportunities.

(Thanks for any and all responses, including any that are maybe a bit on the harsh side. I probably need a good kick in the pants, and I would welcome any candid advice, even if it isn't necessarily very sympathetic or soothing. I don't mean for this thread to turn out to be a "pity party" for poor ol' Rooster. Let me have it, with both barrels - cuz I probably need it.)

[John B]

quick advice: if nothing pans out quickly consider temping. It is a good way to get into a company, get to know what they do, etc... Many times if you make a good enough impression being hired on full-time becomes an option. From the sounds of things this might make sense for you since you don't seem sure where you want to be career-wise.

Also, you might want to consider going through a headhunter. Sure, it will suck giving them a one month cut of your salary as a fee (I have heard that, in some cases, the company doing the hiring pays the fee, not you) but they might be able to help focus your search / get your name out there / help present your resume in the best possible light.

Good luck! Something will turn up.

[Chrome]

I went through much the same thing years ago when I decided that, regardless of my fascinating degree in "Socio-economic policy problems," I wanted to be a writer.

The tips I can provide are:

1. Consider crafting your resume to focus on the specific skills you have that can be transferred to whatever job you applying for, instead of making the list of actual jobs the main thing; although, of course, you still need to include a job chronology ... I mean literally use a header that says "Job Skills" or something similar.

This both keeps the focus on what you can bring to a company and makes your resume stand out from the rest.

2. In cover letters, always keep a positive spin ... never even write anything like "Although I don't have formal training in architecture, I can blah blah blah." Instead, it should be "My unique background allows me to bring a fresh perspective to blah blah blah."

3. Spend some real time thinking about ALL of the various facets of your past experiences and how they could help you at a different job. For example, you posted about grant-writing for a non-profit ... if you really wanted to pursue that, couldn't you truthfully say that your time w/the KC Symphony Chorus gave you valuable insight into the workings of a non-profity type organization? Of course!

Good luck!

[Joe G]

No advice for you (sorry), but I can identify with the anxiety. My job is also one I stumbled into, and for the most part it's been okay (I work in state government), but I just found out that I'm being transferred out of my current location, which is just about as good as it can be for me in this organization, into a position that is decidedly less attractive. In fact I could hardly think of a worse one. But when I think about making a career change, like you, I see a lot of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, like years of schooling. Doing music full time is a dream of mine (that I still haven't given up on), but that's not a feasible move right now due to my financial and personal obligations.

But like I said, reading your post I can certainly emphathize with the way you've been going round and round in your mind. Fear, doubt, and worry are constant companions. Again, sorry that I don't have any good advice, as I'm still trying to work it out for myself!

[Rooster_Ties]

Thanks Joe,

Many times I've thought that I have the personality-type of a musician, but not enough skills to ever find employment related to music (like being a music-teacher, or even a high-school band director). And unfortunately, the one thing I have any halfway decent talent at (choral singing), isn't anything that can pay the bills (even worse, probably, than being a jazz musician).

And thanks Chrome and John B. I have done a lot of thinking about lots of options, but I'm probably too quick to find reasons for why I can't do something (or won't be good at something), than to find things that I can do. Also, I should really try the temping route, probably – or at least consider it more than I have. As you can imagine, my wife has been bugging me about finding a job, of any sort, even if it isn't necessarily what I think I want to do for the rest of my life.

We're OK, money-wise, cuz we live pretty frugally, and we can live off her salary if we really don't buy anything beyond what we really need. In some ways, the fact that we're not starvin' (metaphorically speaking), has probably given me too much of the luxury of time, as I try to figure things out.

Unfortunately, we live in a world that expects you to have all the answers, and have them quickly. (And to have “big” long-range goals too.)

[maren]

Rooster,

John and Chrome both gave great advice:

TEMP-ING gives you valuable experience, and insight into what's going on in various businesses. It's a good way to get your feet wet without committing to a 9-to-5 lifetime in a place you're not sure you'll be able to stand. Also, it may surprise you and build your confidence -- if you're SMART and show up on time, they're likely to love you and offer you more work. Temps generally come in two varieties -- bright quasi-bohemian types who sell themselves short because of lack of "real-world" experience (sounds like you) -- and people with SERIOUS deficits. Well maybe there's a few more bright subtypes: beginners, returnees (mommy-track), laid-off/looking -- but there's wheat and chaff, and I'm sure you'll be among the wheat.

And to hammer home Chrome's points, "powerpoint style":

1. craft your resume to focus on your specific skills that relate to the job you are applying for.

2. always keep a positive spin ... "My unique background allows me to bring a fresh perspective to blah blah blah."

[An example that worked: when my boss was writing a letter of recommendation for a lab tech who was applying to a PhD program after age 40, I advised them both NOT TO REFER TO HIS AGE AS A DEFICIT, not like "even though he's old, he's still good." Instead we said something like "his years of experience prove his commitment to this field" -- and he got in to an exclusive program. Don't talk yourself out of something you really want. Because then you surely won't get it, and logically that should be just as disappointing as rejection -- and rejection is NOT inevitable.]

3. you CAN truthfully say that your time w/the KC Symphony Chorus gives you valuable insight into the workings of a non-profity type organization.

Best of luck.

[chris olivarez]

RT my man I had a rather lenghty reply for you but before I could finish it I got called away and by the time I got back the machine had logged me off-arrghh!!!

In a nuthshell Rooster you might be in the unhappy position to take a job that you really don't want but maybe that's what you have to do right now.

Don't accept that as a permanent condition. Hang on to your dreams amigo because you might be able to dream your way into a situation that really is you.Hang in there.

[ralphie_boy]

Tom,

I've also been walking the tightrope between the business and I.T. areas for many years. Like you, I've spent a good deal of my career as a business systems analyst, defining user requirements, preparing technical specs, etc. For the past four years, I've been managing projects, mostly implementations of packaged solutions. I don't particularly enjoy managing either, and it's especially difficult in a project setting, when the team is made up of employees from various areas of the organization.

I'm also tired of I.T. work in general and I'm looking to make a change. I've also considered Architecture and was willing to go back to school, but there are no part-time evening programs that I know of in my area and unfortunately I need to keep working full-time. I'm now applying to a part-time evening law school program.

I don't have any good advice for you other than what others have offered. Tailor your resume to each specific job that you're interested in and focus on the skills and competencies that they're looking for. I wish you the best of luck.

[undergroundagent]

Tom,

While this may seem like a longshot, it may be worth a try. If your liberal arts college has a career center, chances are that they can help you design a really nice resume and provide you with counselling for career options.

I know the University of Toronto (which I am graduating from this year) provides both students and alumni with this service. I'm not sure this is the case with other schools, but if it is, I would definately take them up on it as they often provide really good advice and, in some cases, contacts.

Edited December 19, 2003 by undergroundagent

[undergroundagent]

Or better yet, volunteer...sometimes you can find your career just networking in that field. I know the United Nations offers positions, and this really looks good on a resume.

In short, my advice would be to steer clear of what your familiar with and try something new. Easier said than done I suppose, but nevertheless, if you're unhappy you should start small and do something you love (even if that means working the counter at a used CD store since I know you're a music nut!).

Edited December 19, 2003 by undergroundagent

[connoisseur series500]

Maren's advice regarding temp service was excellent. I too am considering a job change, but temp service wouldn't be an option for me because I earn a disproportionately greater amount than my wife does; and it's up to me to feed the family. However, in your situtation, Tom, it seems a real possibility.

Generally, healthcare is the area to get into, but you have to decided whether that's suitbable for you. There is nursing and medical billing, and coding and pharmaceutical sales and so on.

If I were 18 years old all over again, I'd become a pharmacist, I think.

[connoisseur series500]

Has anyone here ever had to go through some serious "re-invention" of themselves, career-wise???? Any ideas for how to go about doing it?? - especially when I see myself being a career "generalist" all my life (which I don't think is a bad thing, actually). But I'm afraid most of what I see (or maybe what I choose to see, probably) are hurdles and brick walls, rather than opportunities.

Yes, I did and it wasn't fun.

I came back from Asia after losing my fortune and was unemployed for nearly a year (mostly due to culture shock!)

Just believe in yourself.

Now I have to go through a fairly big career change once more as I will be leaving my company early 2004. I will have to give up the book of clients that I had built up over 7 1/2 years and start all over again.

Working in corporate America sucks; and I think it sucks more today than it ever did.

God save all of us poor working fools...

[Jerry]

How about tech writing, rooster? You already have all the skills and you could probably pick up a contract or temp work. Might not be exactly what you want right now but sounds like a some steady paychecks would aid the confidence level. This is also the sort of thing you could do some quickie course at a junior college to get a nice sounding certificate or credential.

By the way I had to do this many times. Just before the dot com bubble broke I quit my steady job and joined a dot com! Then after months of hangin out I got a contract at PG&E. A week after I started the company declared bankrupcy! Keep your pecker up, as they say. Lucked into a very nice thing in the bay area about a year ago.

Edited December 20, 2003 by Jerry

[Rooster_Ties]

How about tech writing, rooster?

Thanks to all for the advice and kind words. Much appreciated!!!

I'm gonna have to knuckle-down right after the first of the year, and get this thing figured out.

Thanks again, everybody.

[couw]

Enjoy the holidays my friend. Don't let the future spoil your time with your family NOW. Something will turn up eventually so keep up the good faith and your good humour. The latter is indispensible if it comes to how this BB has been functioning up till now.

[Alexander]

Has anyone here ever had to go through some serious "re-invention" of themselves, career-wise????

As many of you know, I spent almost six years working at Barnes & Noble as a supervisior and/or manager. This past spring, I got my candy-ass let go (I was lazy. I broke a rule because it was "convient" to do so. Had it been a regular bookseller, it would have been a slap on the wrist and a "don't do that again," but because I was a manager, I was supposed to know better). When it happend, I was devistated. I literally never saw it coming. But, the next morning (literally) I came up with a plan. I'd been thinking about going back to school and getting a Master's in Education, but I'd never done anything about it because I was too comfortable at my job. I decided to see what I could do about getting into a program in the shortest time possible. After only a few days, I found the program I'm in today (they had a July application deadline). I took a class over the summer so I could get a reference (got an "A" in the class and a glowing recommendation from the professor), worked on getting my transfer credits in order, and by September I was in Grad school! I also got a job at the local library to help with the bills. It was a whirlwind, literally! I went from complete disgrace (in my eyes, if in no one else's) to a career path in a matter of months. I feel better about myself because I know I'm doing something constructive for my future, and because in the final analysis, I really *wanted* to leave B&N (I just wanted to do so at a time and place of my own choosing). This is the first holiday season in YEARS that I haven't had to work retail, and it is magnificent!

I didn't mean to crow. None of this alters the fact that I was FIRED for doing something stupid. I still feel bad about that, and I know it bothers my wife. I wish there was a way to make it up to my former boss, because I had a lot of respect for her and losing face in front of her really hurt. But I know that the only thing I can do is put it behind me and try to make a better future for myself and my family. I may never completely live down the shame, but I can make sure it never happens again!

Edited December 20, 2003 by Alexander

[JSngry]

Since you're not going to hunker down until after the first of the year (a wise choice imo, unless there's something waiting to meet you face-to-face now and you just don't know about it yet), howzabout droppin' some science on BFT #4? ')

[Rooster_Ties]

Since you're not going to hunker down until after the first of the year (a wise choice imo, unless there's something waiting to meet you face-to-face now and you just don't know about it yet), howzabout droppin' some science on BFT #4? ')

I've been groovin' on it (off and on), and I've got about half my comments typed up (or, rather, comments typed up for about half the tunes). I'll try to get comments for all of the tracks posted to the BFT#4 thread by Tuesday.

(And I've been REALLY good, and haven't read ANY of the BFT#4 thread yet. Well, except to see if anybody figured out the 2nd cut on disc #2, which I was about 99% sure I knew.)