What ever happened to learning on the job?
This world has gone crazy. Whatever happened to the days when you could decide which career you wanted to go into, land a foot in the door role and then prove yourself on the job? Gone.
I am SICK of being rejected because I don't have exactly the right experience or qualifications that companies want. Fair enough if you are making a dramatic change in your career, but this is now also happening in fields related to my own. I have a degree and PhD and a brilliant work record of 12 years. Surely enough for any science post, right?
Oh no. Can't get into industry because I don't have any experience in industry. Can't move sideways from what I've been doing because my degree/experience is wrong. Can't move into healthcare and start on a job I could do standing on my head without starting right at the bottom and doing 2+ years of training and more degrees because I'm not 'qualified'.
I recently looked into going back to a job I held for three years in healthcare. In that post I experienced every aspect of the role. Now, armed with seven more years of lab based experience and the PhD, I'm told I can't do my old job (EXACTLY the same job) now without doing a two year low pay training scheam and assessments. Aaaaaaaargh!
I was just talking to some friends this weekend about this very issue.
Knowing me, they are totally flabbergasted that I can't even get interviews. ME TOO --I said!!!!
I explained (having been a hiring manager for many years myself), that 5-10 years ago you would answer a job ad if you had 75% of the skills and the educational requirements and felt that the remaining 25% was do-able in a short amount of time. You would also, interview candidates under the same criteria.
Nowadays, hiring managers/companies are asking for the Sun, the Moon and the Stars and they think that with so many individuals unemployed, they will find JUST THE RIGHT PERSON. They look at resumes with a 90-95% match criteria.
They do not seem to understand that there is a mis-match between experienced/skilled unemployed worker and the industries hiring. An unemployed accountant CAN NOT become and ICU nurse.
gggrrrr
What are your thoughts on job networking as an ex hiring manager? Does it work in this recession? Thanks!
Hi-- I am not sure if that was a question for me. I am NO EXPERT... but networking always helps. Although, I have found so many people are nervous about their own situation that few feel comfortable in speaking about job openings at their companies. In addition, many people feel guilty if they can not help.
I have about a dozen friends and acquaintances (and even recent professors as I am working on another Masters specifically in my field) that I email every few months and let them know I am still looking, what I am looking for, what my flexibility is in terms of job titles/companies/relocation options and I always attached a fresh copy of my resume.
Good luck :-)
PS- I do a mass email but BCC the recipients.
Thanks for the feedback - I like the BCC the recipients. Congrats on your educational pursuits.
Again, I relate strongly to what you're saying. It's so stupid, too! The world is so dynamic now. Situations fluctuate constantly. The ability to think on one's feet, to learn new tricks should be huge. But no, they want someone with cookie-cutter experience that fits some impossibly intricate mold.
Good luck to you. You sound burnt. Keep your head up -- it's their loss.
When life hands you sh*t, make fertilizer.