Job hunt

[Messylife]

I've woken up today in a tizzy all worried about my resume and my work references. I'm struggling to get a job being over 50 and having chopped and changed my part time jobs that have supported me studying. 

I've always worked hard and did a good job in my past roles but....I've left my last few jobs for good reasons . Usually personal ones. Dealing with co-workers and not being supported has been a big issue. 

All very common

I also worked for myself for the last 20 years as my main job. But quietly behind the scenes. 

My references are friends mostly with 2 ex bosses. Problem with those bosses is that they are busy and it's been a while since I worked there. 

This whole getting work thing is so stressful. It's the last thing I need to be worried about what people will say about me. 

It's been a few years now since I held a good working relationship with anyone mostly because of family responsibilities and my own mental issues surrounding my messy life. 

It's awful to feel forgotten about and to be rendered so redundant. 

[MJG017]

Hi @Messylife 

I can completely relate with this.  The stress of job-seeking alone can be overwhelming, and when you add age, disrupted work history, references, and mental health into the mix, it can feel unbearable.  You’re not imagining it... a lot of people over 50 are carrying these same worries quietly.  I fought with my inner doubts most of December to convince myself to apply for a couple of jobs.

You said you’ve worked hard, you’ve shown commitment over decades (including running your own work for 20 years), and you’ve made decisions to leave jobs for valid reasons... not because you didn’t care or couldn’t cope.  That matters.

I’ll also say, from my own experience, deciding to go back to applying for jobs in my 50s took a huge amount of courage.  I questioned my resume, my references, and my worth constantly.  It didn’t mean I wasn’t capable... it meant the process itself can be brutal and very personal.

Feeling “forgotten” or redundant hurts deeply, especially when life circumstances and caring responsibilities have pulled you away from visible work for a while.  But being less visible doesn’t erase your value, your skills, or who you are as a worker or a person.  It's one of the thoughts that gave me the courage (eventually) to apply.  I felt like I'd be forgotten more if I didn't try to get these jobs.  I was so fixated on the negatives, I had forgotten about the positives.  Then added to the fact i'm in my mid 50's now and been through a lot of difficult challenges... I thought why should a job application scare me now?!  I've dealt with far scarier things.  I think that thought, was enough to get me over the line to give it a try.

You’re not alone in this, even though it feels incredibly isolating right now.  And the fact you’re still trying... despite how stressful this is... says a lot about your resilience.

[Messylife]

@MJG017 Thankyou for your support. I really needed it today.
I did 2 more applications. I will try to remember I am a good person and anyone should be thankful to have me in their team.

[MJG017]

Hi @Messylife 

So well done on doing those 2 applications!  That's a couple of big wins right there for you.  I actually found out over the past couple of days that the two jobs I eventually talked myself into applying for... I have two interviews for next week.  I'm still very surprised about it, but taken it as a big reminder that we often judge ourselves far worse than others do.  I really hop you find some similar success with your applications.  Good luck.

[Seamusy]

Hi @Messylife .

I can relate to your experience. I'm 61 and have only ever worked for myself.

This has suited me because I've been able to work around my mental health issues. The problem is the most recent work has dried up and if I try to get a job now employers require qualifications that I don't have.

I got into the industry at the ground level and always got jobs based on my resume and portfolio.

Now I'm stuck. I no longer have the contacts that I used to have because of gaps in my employment history as a result of mental health episodes. 

I've got decades of experience and plenty to offer people but I don't know how to get the work.

[Messylife]

@Seamusy How is it going? I have logged on in a month. I feel your pain. Life has thrown us into the wash. I got a job in home aged care cleaning and started last week. I'm doing a second week of online onboarding. Just got my first week's pay and ouch! I don't know how I'm going to cope. 85% will go on rent.
What have I done! I can't seem to win.
Did you get some resume help?

[Seamusy]

Hi @Messylife,

Thanks for enquiring after me.

I've decided I'm not going to continue on these forums so this is the last you'll hear from me.

My situation is different in that I am on a pension, but even with that, I struggle to pay rent and need to work to cover my bills.

The search for work continues.

I'm glad you hear you have some work but yeah, rent's a bugger!