Unbelievably, here I am again, looking for my next employment adventure. After a year in public contact/hospitality jobs, I DID learn a valuable lesson: Helping the public and serving the public are two entirely different things. I enjoyed helping. I loathed serving. The job I just quit a few weeks ago (Concierge at a 4-star hotel in downtown Chicago) was more serving than helping. Oh, there were some great perks: free meals at great restuarants, occasional tips, great commissions, etc. But after 7 months, it wasn't enough to make me stay in the job. Aside from serving the guests and meeting their demands, the environment reminded me of working on a plantation. The company line was that you are "on stage" at all times during your work shift. Alright. But the highest-paid actors of our time are not on stage 8 hours a day, 5 days a week nights and weekends, and they make a helluva lot more money! Bottom line, I was extremely unhappy in the hotel environment so I resigned before the job took any further toll on my spiritual and physical health.
Now I'm back to my other on again-off again job: looking for work. More specifically - looking for work that pays me enough to pay my bills with a bit left over for luxuries like a 2-3 day vacation out of town, and a wardrobe makeover. (After working in hospitality jobs for the past 4 years, I find that my wardrobe largely consists of uniforms. As of today I have about 10 pairs of black pants, white tops, and various logoed polo shirts. YIKES!!!
It's becoming clearer to me that I will never find a job that mays as much as I'd like. So I'm more seriously considering starting a business of my own. Just need to figure out WHAT. I do love to write so I'm pursuing freelance work as a creative (non-fiction) and/or technical writer. I've joined numerous work-related networking groups. Still I'm feeling quite lost; not sure which direction I should go. I'm distracted by thoughts of what I'm going to use for money until I find my parachute. For the past 2 years I've been supplementing what meager income I was getting with infusions from a 401K account that I'd built up, back when I was making GOOD money. But the trough won't last forever. I shudder to think what I'll be living on once I once I reach my "retirement years". At the rate things are going, I'll surely be working somewhere/at something well into my seventies - if I live that long, and in reasonable good health.
What's a savvy pre-senior to do?
Where is my parachute?
posted 2 months ago
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- 1. 2 months ago OKScissortail wrote:
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"They" say follow your passion and the money will follow. It might work for you; although writing is a pretty poorly paid profession for most writers. Sometimes we just have to work at a job that pays okay and then find our passion outside of work.
- 2. 2 months ago ConsultantDude wrote:
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You sound like I did back in 2001 – 2003 when work was hard to come buy. I had been a programmer mostly, to that point. Outsourcing was at its peak, rates fell, and it was tough. Work I did get the rates were low. Other work the duration was measured in weeks instead of months. I ended up saying the same thing you did about never getting paid at the rate I once was. I also looked at starting a business, and I knew I cold do it but the question was the same: what? I came thisclose to going back to school to get a masters degree to pursue an entirely different field of work. I also looked at becoming a teacher. I was at my wits end, when things opened back up for me. What it took was a re-definition of who I was professionally. Then I had to repackage myself, and it worked. Prior to this I thought of myself as mostly a programmer; I became a “business analyst.” There’s a lot of wok out there for that role, if you have the right skill set and packaging.
- 3. 2 months ago rwilliery wrote:
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ConsultantDude, is right. I lost everything in 2003. I had to sit down, and redefine who I was. It was hard to sell me at first, because I wasn't confortable with me. But after trail and error, most of the time. I am very happy with the change.
But take inventory, your likes,dis - skill, etc. Hint; don't try fit to a job title. once you package that - go it the thing that fits.
are call dude, LOL
- 4. 2 months ago BlueMercedes wrote:
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Four months and this corporate rebel is still unemployed after loosing FVP position with Countrywide in Dallas... why is my phone not ringing off the hook?? I have SKILLS!! Really :) So I am 51, so I made $160k last year, today I may as well have leprocy, no calls, no leads. I am overqualified and the days of such compensation are gone. So what to do? Live from hubby's income? Not enough. Oh yes, live off the savings and 401k. Ahhh, been there - done that, next? Yes, downsize, move to smaller home, cut expenses. Ahh, been there - done that, next? Move hubby and me back in with my mom or my daughter? OMG no. How do I stop the madness??
- 5. 2 months ago HAPPYCHIK wrote:
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You sound like me. My last job I had was as a nurse provider in a med spa doing laser hair removal. We wore all black, all day, every day. I don't know what to do when I grow up either! I have been a registered nurse and have been fo 25 years. I will be 50 this weekend. So...I've spent exactly half my life in nursing.The money is good, the toll sometimes is draining. I recently commented to someone that my compassion gene has been used up. I'm still looking for something else. I'm not the only one. Keep up the search. Keep us posted on your progress.
- 6. 2 months ago GRM wrote:
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Welcome to the club. You won't be lonely here!
- 7. 2 months ago photoone wrote:
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Sounds to me like you have an attitude that you should have a position at the top of the ladder. Be happy you had a job while you looked for something else. Attitude is everything, you were there to SERVE which equates to HELP with the right attitude. A truly savvy pre-senior would know that.
- 8. about 1 month ago PamperedOne wrote:
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OMG, you must have been reading my mind! I just blogged about a similar issue. Check out my blog post from today (8/4/08).
LOL @ "Now I'm back to my other on again-off again job: looking for work"...I'm in a similar situation so I totally understand. If you enjoy writing, don't stop. Have you tried writing articles to sell to online sites? There are lots of sites looking for content writers. Also, since blogs are so popular, consider writing blog content for other people.
I recently found a really good website for job seekers: view link Lots of awesome information and resources. If you need someone to bounce ideas off of, send me a private message. Best of luck to you!!!
- 9. about 1 month ago NetworkPrincess wrote:
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Hi, I have reinvented myself for every phone call. I currently work for myself as a business coach, I also have started an online pet supply business and continue to look for employment. I never know what my next conversation will bring me. The best thing is to network network and network. I carry 2 different business cards to all meetings and my resume. Hopefully when September or October roll around things will be looking up. If not I have put a lot of energy into my business and may not have to work for someone else. Sorry for the ramble
