I've been looking for a new job and it's been driving me quietly insane. I haven't had to do this for over ten years because I was head-hunted for my last job, and was in the one before for almost 5 years. It appears that in the time I've been out of the job market, lots of new kinds of jobs have come up. I scroll through the pages of recruitment ads and half of them seem to be written in a foreign language! Then when I read the job description, I discover it's a job scheduling delivery trucks, or driving a crane on a building site, or, most often, something to do with computers.
When I do find one that looks possible, I read the job description and think 'yeah, I could do that'. Then quickly followed by 'but do I want to?'.
I've been spoiled, I think. For so long I've had a job that was incredibly diverse. No two days were the same. There was always a new product (film) to sell or a new event that was slightly or wildly different to the one before.
Most jobs, I'm realizing, aren't like that.
And that's what I need to get my head around. It's unlikely that I'll get a job like the one I've been doing. This city is too small, and my industry is not big enough. So I need to face the fact whatever new job I take is unlikely to be as varied and exciting as the one I've just left.
While it's difficult to try and think of new things I want to do, almost every day something is advertised that might work for me. It's just a matter of tweaking my resume to highlight whichever skills the advertised job requires. Because although I've essentially been doing the same thing for almost 20 years, that single thing has encompassed an enormous number of different skills.
Budgeting? Sure. Written and oral communication? In spades. Managing staff and client relationships? Definitely. Financial reporting and analysis? Yep. Stock control and ordering? Indeed. Event and program management? Certainly.
So, I think that while on paper my job history looks very dull and the same, I'm actually more employable than I think I am....
Have you ever had to tweak a resume? Any tips on how to make it look better?
Thank goodness, the last tie I had to write up a resume was over 25 years ago. The only thing that struck me with your description was that you'd be really good as a party/wedding planner or a catering manager. But I think things that are recession proof are more like banking or accounting, or maybe managing a supermarket. Wishing you the very best of luck! :-)
ReplyDeleteI can sympathize with the pain of this. And I haven't been as good at utilizing my experience to my best advantage. I hope you find something soon, and that it's something you can be happy doing!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, I'm wishing you much luck! My husband is like that--craves a dynamic daily roster, and thankfully he found an amazing fit.
ReplyDeleteI've tweaked so many resumes I could pimp myself out as a pro, but I won't--because I'd rather be writing. Or teaching. Or working. Or taking care of my littles. *sigh* It's a busy life.
Here's hoping you find the perfect job!
Hang in there! All jobs have plusses and minuses and are never quite what you expected once you get into them. Things like schedule flexibility (or having a fixed schedule, if that's what you want), location, company philosophy, company size, working environment, benefits, opportunities for education and advancement, and so many other things factor in to what makes a "good" job.
ReplyDeleteDoes it pay you enough to keep the wolf from the door and let you come home without a headache from all the stress? Then it's a pretty darn good job. Work to live, not live to work, right?
I wish you the absolute best of luck, and know you'll be a great success wherever you end up -- we ended up voting alike on most of WRiTE Club, so I know you got talent and good taste, lol!
Resume's are an art in themselves. Very challenging Kate, but I'm sure things will work out soon.
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