Job search after nearly three decades! - Advice needed please!

DidleySquat

Hello,
I've decided for various reasons that I want to leave my job after nearly three decades of being with my current employer as I'm very unhappy in my current situation and leaving is well overdue.
It feels scary and overwhelming to even think about looking for another job and I'm worried that I'm too old (female and in my fifties) and I don't know where to start with it all as the world has changed so much since I've last did it!
Has anyone any tips, experience, suggestions? 
TIA:)

Klippety

What kind of work are you currently doing? Did you hold any other jobs before getting the job you are in? 

DidleySquat

Klippety said:

What kind of work are you currently doing? Did you hold any other jobs before getting the job you are in? 

Hi:)
I'm currently in administration and I've had other jobs previously, also in office work.  I'm open to changing to do something else and not be chained to a desk anymore, as long as I can pay the bills.

gmje

What in particular is making you unhappy in your current job? you have been there a long time. when I worked my opinion was the young ones were favoured and we oldies were looked upon as dinasours with not much to offer. so im not hopeful for you in transition. what do you fancy have you any hobbies where skills can be used in a job?

born_again

Around same age, at the time. When I did this many years ago. I kept looking for jobs that I fancied (not in same type of job). I just applied. Once I got one, then I left the old job. So did not burn the bridge to early. 
In the end I ended up in a role I had never done & well out of my comfort zone. Amazed I got it. Best move I ever made. 👍

Marcon

DidleySquat said:

Hello,
I've decided for various reasons that I want to leave my job after nearly three decades of being with my current employer as I'm very unhappy in my current situation and leaving is well overdue.
It feels scary and overwhelming to even think about looking for another job and I'm worried that I'm too old (female and in my fifties) and I don't know where to start with it all as the world has changed so much since I've last did it!
Has anyone any tips, experience, suggestions? 
TIA:)

It must indeed feel 'scary and overwhelming' to be job hunting for the first time in 30 years, but the real danger is accepting the first thing you're offered, 'in case that's the only offer I'll get'.

Frying pans and fires...

lincroft1710

I think you first need to decide what you want to do and sensibly review if you have suitable qualifications. Start writing your CV.


Be aware that with a new job you will be in a very vulnerable position for 2 years, having minimal employment rights.

Klippety

DidleySquat said:

Klippety said:

What kind of work are you currently doing? Did you hold any other jobs before getting the job you are in? 

Hi:)
I'm currently in administration and I've had other jobs previously, also in office work.  I'm open to changing to do something else and not be chained to a desk anymore, as long as I can pay the bills.

Your experience of administration would stand you in good stead for a job in the civil service. They regularly recruit en masse and are less prejudiced against more experienced applicants. Have a look on www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk to see if there's anything that catches your eye. Good luck and well done for considering a change of scene. 

Brie

Check with your network for any opportunities and think "could I do that job? have that commute? work with those people?"

Consider how much you need to make and what might change your mind about that.  Would you take less to work for a charity?  Particularly if it was local, no commute and a cause you love?

Consider going through an agency who, if nothing else, will revamp your CV to make you salable.  

(changed companies in my early 50s and then using my network survived there for 14 years getting through repeated company shakedowns and redundancies)

Savvy_Sue

Klippety said:

DidleySquat said:

Klippety said:

What kind of work are you currently doing? Did you hold any other jobs before getting the job you are in? 

Hi:)
I'm currently in administration and I've had other jobs previously, also in office work.  I'm open to changing to do something else and not be chained to a desk anymore, as long as I can pay the bills.

Your experience of administration would stand you in good stead for a job in the civil service. They regularly recruit en masse and are less prejudiced against more experienced applicants. Have a look on www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk to see if there's anything that catches your eye. Good luck and well done for considering a change of scene. 

Plus think NHS admin, and schools and colleges. 

DidleySquat

gmje said:

What in particular is making you unhappy in your current job? you have been there a long time. when I worked my opinion was the young ones were favoured and we oldies were looked upon as dinasours with not much to offer. so im not hopeful for you in transition. what do you fancy have you any hobbies where skills can be used in a job?

Where do I start! I suppose management, or mismanagement is one of the reasons and the role morphing over the last couple of years into something that I just don't want to do.  I'm dreaming and waking up thinking about the place and have developed major anxiety. As for hobbies and skills,  I'm a practical person i.e. I'm handy with a paintbrush.  I could become a decorator