Career change success at Careershifters

By Richard

Our very own Selina (aka Careershifters' Content Director) has just completed a marathon career shift.

Never one for a boring life, Selina has tried her hand at all kinds of things in search of career nirvana including serving chocolate delights to festival goers, making ceramic jewelry, running Spanish workshops and temping in different parts of the world. But after a long search, she's now finally found her dream vocation - and in an unexpected place.

You can read all about her "job that fits" in her latest ShiftLog entry and you can check out her eventful (often moving) journey getting there in her previous ShiftLogs.

Needless to say, we're massively proud of her!

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By Pamella5 on 12 June 2008 at 00:17

Hi - I am in a really frustrating phase and would welcome guidance and/or confirmation that I am not alone here. I held a senior position in a global bank for 19 years and achjeved great things in sales, operations and project/change management. I left in 2005 to travel returning to the UK in 2006. I then decided to move into a role I wanted to do and joined a hotel group. Loved the job but couldn't manage on the money so decided to step back into the frame and look for another job. I have worked my socks off applying. I am just so frustrated with agencies and this send your CV - the vast majority never reply! I'm 49 so not sure if it's an age thing (although nobody would ever admit to that I'm sure)- but I have a lot to give the right company but am now totally lost (I've been actively seeking jobs for 3 months now)- anybody faced the same or has any advice. I am now starting to panic as my money is fast running out which will result in me knee jerking and taking any job which I don't want to do.

By Selina Barker on 13 June 2008 at 18:51

A great new article has just been posted that is designed to help people in just your dilemma:'Creative Job Hunting' written by professional career coach Jacqui Mitchell. You'll find it in the 'Expert Advice' page.

Good luck!
Selina


By Pamella5 on 14 June 2008 at 00:30

Thanks Selina - it really is great to get support and some pointers. What a fab site this is.

By Kaycareerscoach on 12 June 2008 at 18:31

I can understand your frustration. The fact is the majority of jobs are not even advertised(only 25%) and applying for jobs through the internet and recruitment agencies is often not the best was to job search. I recommend that you change your plan of attack.You need to take a more pro-active approach. Have you thought of targeting specific companies and cold calling them? This takes guts and you need to be prepared for most companies to say no, but you only need one yes don't you. I have other suggestions so feel free to email me and I'll send you a info sheet. My email is info@kayholdsworth.com


By Pamella5 on 14 June 2008 at 00:34

Thanks so much. I'll email tomorrow when I go to chexk me emails. It's great just to know that I'm not going barking mad here and that somehow all my skills seem to have vanished overnight. It may be that all this "no response" rubbish is fate's way of saying "is this really what you want to do?". Food for thought and if I still face problems after trying new techniques that will tell me. All I can say is thank god I found this wonderful site.

By Flambee on 12 June 2008 at 23:57

Hi - thanks so much for your comments - I am in a similar position to you and also finding agencies really frustrating - but then, recruitment "consultants" are really only target-driven salespeople and not the specialists they like to think they are! I only found this web-site yesterday and am feeling so much more encouraged since finding so much useful advice and like-minded people!! Until then I was thinking perhaps I'd have to move to another area or find an occupational psychologist to help me find my way through the endless job hunting....... Temping can be quite a good way to discover new industries and network, so whilst I appreciate it's not ideal, at least it might give you some extra thinking time whilst finding "the one" :) Warmest wishes and best of luck !

By Pamella5 on 14 June 2008 at 00:27

Thanks so much for taking time to drop me a supportive line or two. It really does make a difference to know that you are not alone and have not suddenly lost all your skills and sanity overnight. Your advice is great and I will persue the option. It's amazing that knowing other people are going through similar events seems to recharge your batteries a little and refuel your self belief and tenacity tanks. Good luck to you too

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