Career dead end - looking for desperate help

[Anonymous]

I am an engineer (quite qualified with BS and MS degree) and have close to 20 years of work experience. I was a top rated employee for many years doing systems devlopment and leading teams. Several years back I took time off from work to attend to my family. When I got back, I took up a job which is not in core engineering (systems development) work. My organization has not supported me in career growth and I am stuck in my current role for many years. I am disheartened and demotimated. I need to get back to my core competency. My job search has not been working either. Looking for a new start. I am going crazy thinking about it. Please suggest technical recruiters, career coaches or even advise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an engineer (quite qualified with BS and MS degree) and have close to 20 years of work experience. I was a top rated employee for many years doing systems development and leading teams. Several years back I took time off from work to attend to my family. When I got back, I took up a job which is not in core engineering (systems development) work. My organization has not supported me in career growth and I am stuck in my current role for many years. I am disheartened and demotivated. I need to get back to my core competency. My job search has not been working either. Looking for a new start. I am going crazy thinking about it. Please suggest technical recruiters, career coaches or even advise.

I am getting further disheartened. Not single response yet! Am I the only one who has experienced this?

[Anonymous]

If you got your degrees in the US, how about talking to someone in the career service department where you got your BS and MS? What about using LinkedIn. I see posters saying they or someone they know networked through LI and got an interview. Have you thought about consulting or starting your own business?

[Anonymous]

Sorry - don't give up searching. Try linkedin. Try church. neighbors. The easiest way is to know somebody and you never know who you will meet so keep at it. And keep the word out that you are looking.

[Anonymous]

Network, OP. Ask friends, neighbors, even co-workers you trust for names of people in the area you'd like to work in, or in a position to help you find places where jobs are available, or will be opening up this year. It takes a long, long time, especially in this tough job market. But eventually, you will find jobs, and you will have interviews, and you will find things you are excited about.

You must have patience. Looking for a higher level job is NOT what it was like, even five years ago when jobs were far more plentiful. Every opening has a gazillion applicants, so you have to know someone to get an interview. And the process always takes forever. But you will succeed, in the end, in finding a job that suits you, where you are appreciated, and where your career has a chance to flourish. GL, OP. Don't get discouraged! You may be a finalist for a number of jobs before you find the right position and fit, and actually get offered the position. But it will happen, as long as you keep at it, and don't give up!!

[Anonymous]

The secret is that it is seen as a commodity is many organizations rather then the driver of growth. You will need to find a company that values it .

[Anonymous]

I am with you. Degree in Math, masters in project management. 20+ years experience.

If I develop another system that moves data from one buzz word to another buzz word with a fancy new interface I am going to scream.

( translation: move all the data from a consolidated data store to the cloud - well those are the buzz words this year)

I am reading "life is a bitch and then you change careers" I am not saying it will help but it's worth a try.

I can run a multimillion dollar project while asleep but I don't want to anymore.

Hoping you get some good advice because I need it to.

[Anonymous]

So happy to hear from some of you. At certain point of life peptalk is very important. I am connecting in LinkedIn, however my network does not seem to be working. I am part of many LI groups, but do not want to post to groups for fear of being read my collegues.

Have you been through this? Can you suggest what did you do to float again?

Is there any career coach here? I need one, I think.

[Anonymous]

Looking for a new start.

Go out on your own as a consultant?

[Anonymous]

Have you considered adding membership to a few professional organizations to enhance your network? I work in cable/telecom and am a member of WICT, NAMIC and NVTC. I make it a point to connect via LinkedIn to every trainer/contractor/consultant who has come onsite to my office.

A few consulting companies that I know of off the top of my head are Thrupoint & Resolvit. We have on-site contractors via TekSystems & Cognizant (although most are early-mid career.)

Also, and since I'm in the industry, possibly consider attending The Cable Show at the DC Convention Center this June.

[Anonymous]

Maybe your resume needs an overhaul? I find that people have many opinions but a couple of quick tips: make sure all of the languages and cots packages you know are listed clearly, make sure the format is easy to read and try a few versions too see what works. Also are the technologies or methodologies obsolete? Are you looking at commercial or government contracting positions? resume formats should be different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe your resume needs an overhaul? I find that people have many opinions but a couple of quick tips: make sure all of the languages and cots packages you know are listed clearly, make sure the format is easy to read and try a few versions too see what works. Also are the technologies or methodologies obsolete? Are you looking at commercial or government contracting positions? resume formats should be different.

I agree that my resume needs a major overhaul. Since I have not done this in years, I need professional help. I am not sure how to find a good resume service who understand the current resume trend and my industry. I will like to get any suggestion in thsi area. Also, would like to know if anyone knows of some good personal branding consultants. I want to be rebranded.