12 years of experience and cannot find a job
Hi all, I have 12 years experience in start up Ecommerce - was laid of 2.5 years ago. I haven’t been able to find a job since. It seems like my years of experience turn recruiters off for lower positions, but I am not afraid to start in a new company at a more entry level position. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance!
12 years of experience, shouldn't you have made friends/network in the space to refer you to their companies or vouch for you with their friends? Sometimes people don't like asking for help when in bad situations, but that's exactly when you should to get out of the situation as quick as possible. Not sure if that's you, but referrals is always the first thing I would try if in desperate need for a job.
I have moved locations quite a bit, so that’s been a challenge as far as network and referrals. I also didn’t do an amazing job of keeping up with my networks, except for those more junior then me. I definitely screwed up in that sense. Also I’m merchandising - many companies are requiring that merchandisers also have an expertise in online marketing these days (specifically SEO, SEM, and Social) - which I think is weird. Merchandisers already work cross-functionally with every part of a company, and have their hands in everything, so to be an expert at online marketing is nearly impossible with the ever changing marketing space. Maybe millennials have this expertise engrained in them but in my history this wasn’t a combined job.
It's okay if they're junior than you, they can still refer you to roles and vouch for you, which is much better than just applying. Your main goal in order to get interviews is to get a referral somehow, the closer to the actual team you're applying for the better. This means messaging individuals on LinkedIn or going to meetups where they'll be. Then prove that you have insight and value for them. For your ATS question, it doesn't really matter. Most resume reviews are still done 100% manually by a human recruiter.
I too was laid off back last summer, I've found it difficult to find something as well, however I have ageism affecting me. I have been working on improving my skill set and working my LinkedIn contacts. I haven't gotten an offer yet, but I am hopeful I will soon.
Wishing you the best of luck! You too need to stay strong and be resilient!
Do not enroll but check out lambda university. I see their testimonials on Twitter. Even painters are able to learn coding and get 70-100K jobs, so you guys with so much experience should definitely have an upper hand. And, I am not trying to make any comparisons but driving home the point that there are opportunities out there..
Also, if you're a Premium LinkedIn user you can use their online learning site, Lynda.com. It's a great resource and when you finish a course, it will, if you want it to, post it on your LinkedIn profile.
Also does anyone know about the software companies use to filter resumes they receive?
Yes, they have an applicant tracking system (ATS) that scans online job applications. You can scan your resume and/or LinkedIn profile against the job description on jobscan.co (that's not a typo, it actually is .co) & it will tell you how well your resume or LI profile match and what you need to tweak to get past these systems. I've had the most luck with having people I know personally hand deliver/email my resume to the hiring manager of the companies I'm targeting. Also, make sure you have a strong cover letter and add ot as an extra sheet to your resume if a job site doesn't ask for one. Tell them what you can do for them to relieve their pain after researching the company. Using numbers, percentages and statistics on your resume such as "reduced escalations by over 60%" or whatever you've done, is very impressive and will usually get you at least a phone interview.
Age has not been a problem for me. I have 30+ years experience. Mostly in operations. It is also a numbers game. The more you interview the better you get at it. Try toastmasters also to work on your presentation. I know this is a hard statement, but making excuses won't get you the job. Research the job and prepare for the interview. If you don't get it, keep at it. I normally spent 10 - 12 hours a day on my job hunt. A couple jobs ago, I had over a hundred interviews in a couple months. Including phone screens. Some they weren't a match for me and some I wasn't a match for them.
Thank you! I am getting interviews and phone screens and often getting to the final round, just not the job offer! I will look into toastmasters. Thank you for the rec!
I also took stand up comedy classes to work on my delivery and presentation skills. Great fun and very helpful.
Thank you!!!! I will definitely check out jobscan.co - I do have concrete numbers on my resume, and what I believe is a strong cover letter. Having worked in start ups my experience is so broad, as you have to wear lots of hats in a start up. I think this is definitely hurting me.
Are you getting reached out to? Are you getting past phone interviews? What are recruiters saying post-interview? Let’s get to the bottom of this.
Thank you cornerstone. The few phone interviews I have had are going to round 2. I have been running into companies telling me that they have put the position on hold, or that the budget has changed. I’m open to a much lower salary then I have had, to work with a good company and to work Fulltime again. But the biggest issue I’m having is the fact that I’m sending my resume and cover letter to 30 or more positions a week and I don’t receive a response or am notified That I’m not what they are looking for (yet my resume checks off all the qualification boxes). My resume and experience seems to be getting lost in translation. I’ve also applied to jobs that are “new” on job posts but then I find out the positions have already been filled. Super frustrating and want to understand what I’m doing wrong! Thanks in advance!
Have you had a professional look at your resume? <$200 well spent. Have you tried applying to Hired.com? A few folks on my team got placed that way.
OP -12 years experience is too young for ageism to strike.I don’t think that is the issue.Why don’t you try relocating to the Bay Area?how about contracting?
My husband has a start up here in LA so relocating is tough. I have been looking for contracting positions but haven’t been finding much in merchandising. And suggestions on websites to find contracting jobs?
What location? Perhaps you should look into your LinkedIn profile. There must be something amiss. Don't give up, keep your head high. Also, to justify the gap - register a company with you being founder. And just tell the potential employers that you were exploring a product on your own but it didn't work out. Come up with a good story.
Thank you zoBr70. I am in Los Angeles. And I have looked at my LinkedIn profile, have had some leads but sadly nothing has come to fruition. I did create a consulting company and have had a couple clients, so I don’t have a gap. But it’s been harder to find clients then I expected. Thank you for your encouraging words, truly appreciate them!