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Trying to avoid getting "stuck" in my current career/role
Posted on 10/30/14 at 1:06 pm
Posted on 10/30/14 at 1:06 pm
Late 20's...moved up quickly in my mid-20's and took an opportunity to run my own office/division 2 years ago. Was promised a bunch of stuff that never happened and wasn't told about pending org changes when asked before coming on board.
Essentially I'm stuck where I'm at in a niche role that people outside of the sector don't understand the skills (Gov Relations/Lobbying/Sales) are transferable to their field. I've applied for 4 or 5 jobs in the last few months, breeze through the phone interview, and get shut down when the hiring manager for the job looks at my resume. Literally been told the same thing for each position "we'd like someone with a background in our industry".
My current company will pay for Grad School, but that will take 3 years to complete part-time and I don't know if I can't stay in this position that long. I know this seems like more of a rant, but any advice would be appreciated.
Do I suck it up for 3 years and get my MBA? Or just keep looking for that opportunity where someone will take the chance on me?
Essentially I'm stuck where I'm at in a niche role that people outside of the sector don't understand the skills (Gov Relations/Lobbying/Sales) are transferable to their field. I've applied for 4 or 5 jobs in the last few months, breeze through the phone interview, and get shut down when the hiring manager for the job looks at my resume. Literally been told the same thing for each position "we'd like someone with a background in our industry".
My current company will pay for Grad School, but that will take 3 years to complete part-time and I don't know if I can't stay in this position that long. I know this seems like more of a rant, but any advice would be appreciated.
Do I suck it up for 3 years and get my MBA? Or just keep looking for that opportunity where someone will take the chance on me?
This post was edited on 10/30/14 at 1:08 pm
7
Posted on 10/30/14 at 1:22 pm to Golfer
quote:
Do I suck it up for 3 years and get my MBA? Or just keep looking for that opportunity where someone will take the chance on me?
Can you do both? What's penalty or required service after they pay for education? And would plan be to move within company or use MBA for outside opportunities?
You mentioned you moved up quickly. Objectively, would you be fully qualified for the position to an outsider? Basically on paper, do you meet the requirements? I mentioned this is another thread, but companies today tend to promote based on potential, while outside they're going to hire based on accomplishments or history.
It's a tough spot. Personally, I'd suggest to keep looking. It doesn't sound like you're thrilled in the role, so you're going to want to jump ship. Maybe change how your resume is presented. Get help. Or change your search to be better tailored to your skill set, that is proven on resume. If you are getting shot down by resume, I think you may need to just present the information a lot differently.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 1:28 pm to LSUtigerME
quote:
Can you do both? What's penalty or required service after they pay for education? And would plan be to move within company or use MBA for outside opportunities?
I can do both. Would just have to pay back the cost (or a portion of the cost depending on how long I stay) of the degree should I leave during that period.
quote:
You mentioned you moved up quickly. Objectively, would you be fully qualified for the position to an outsider? Basically on paper, do you meet the requirements? I mentioned this is another thread, but companies today tend to promote based on potential, while outside they're going to hire based on accomplishments or history.
Unfortunately, no. And that's what I'm running into. Hiring Manager sees low end on the "Year's of experience" and no direct employment in the industry (either with competitor or customer). Yet, I've worked with every single customer or agency the job would require.
This post was edited on 10/30/14 at 1:32 pm
Posted on 10/30/14 at 1:35 pm to Golfer
Most likely there will be a lockup period after you take your MBA classes, where if you leave in a certain amount of time, you have to pay back some/all of the cost.
So it's probably more than 3 years at that company you are looking at.
Also, you never mentioned why you should/wanted to get your MBA.
So it's probably more than 3 years at that company you are looking at.
Also, you never mentioned why you should/wanted to get your MBA.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 1:40 pm to LSUFanHouston
quote:
Most likely there will be a lockup period after you take your MBA classes, where if you leave in a certain amount of time, you have to pay back some/all of the cost.
There is, but it's rolling based off 12 months following the end of each semester.
quote:
Also, you never mentioned why you should/wanted to get your MBA.
Combination of networking and project management skill set I'm missing. Also, most of the people I'm going up against for these jobs have a Master's degree. If they don't, they've got 15-20 years experience.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 2:09 pm to Golfer
quote:
Late 20's...moved up quickly in my mid-20's and took an opportunity to run my own office/division 2 years ago. Was promised a bunch of stuff that never happened and wasn't told about pending org changes when asked before coming on board.
Really early-30s in a similar situation.
quote:
Essentially I'm stuck where I'm at in a niche role that people outside of the sector don't understand the skills (Gov Relations/Lobbying/Sales) are transferable to their field. I've applied for 4 or 5 jobs in the last few months, breeze through the phone interview, and get shut down when the hiring manager for the job looks at my resume. Literally been told the same thing for each position "we'd like someone with a background in our industry".
Have the 4-5 jobs been in the same field?
Is your resume dynamite? Do you feel you are setting your expectations too high?
Searching for a job now sucks because platitudes like this
quote:
"we'd like someone with a background in our industry".
Are so ridiculously common it sucks.
If you know this going in, you might have to frame the interview differently. What can you bring besides the background that can help offset that?
I just took a new job from that similar situation like you. It was a lateral move, so I wasn't looking higher, and it was a tangent field to what I do, not the exact same thing. Etc. The interview was tough, but I made sure to prepare for questions about my lack of direct experience/background in the field.
Funny enough, I'd classify where I was coming from in a similar light - Gov Relatons/Sales/Etc.
quote:
My current company will pay for Grad School, but that will take 3 years to complete part-time and I don't know if I can't stay in this position that long. I know this seems like more of a rant, but any advice would be appreciated.
Do I suck it up for 3 years and get my MBA? Or just keep looking for that opportunity where someone will take the chance on me?
IMO, look for the company that will take a chance. That's the kind of place you want to work for. The MBA is going to tie you to your current position too long. Unless the money is good and you can suck it up, it sounds like you're mentally disconnected from your current job already.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 2:24 pm to Freauxzen
quote:
Hiring Manager sees low end on the "Year's of experience" and no direct employment in the industry (either with competitor or customer). Yet, I've worked with every single customer or agency the job would require.
Sounds like your resume needs a rewrite. You should be tweaking it for every single job--highlighting the relevant skills, customers, etc for the position in question.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 4:06 pm to hungryone
I typically do tweak it, but haven't overhauled it since I applied for my current job 2.5 years ago. Probably time.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 5:26 pm to Golfer
I'm kinda in the same boat. I want out of my career. It's tough. I'm doing an MBA so I can hit the reset button and take advantage of recruiting.
I feel your pain.
I feel your pain.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 6:07 pm to Golfer
So are you trying to jump to a new industry or just looking for something different and are willing to go to a new industry?
Posted on 10/30/14 at 6:15 pm to Golfer
Is the full time 2 year MBA program at LSU off the table?
Posted on 10/30/14 at 6:36 pm to BACONisMEATcandy
quote:
looking for something different and are willing to go to a new industry?
Posted on 10/30/14 at 6:37 pm to member12
Yes. Financially we can't afford to be a one-income household right now while taking on more expenses.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 6:44 pm to Bob Sacamano
quote:
I feel your pain.
Yep. When you send your resume to a company for an industrial sales position and you make it clear that you have relationships with 40+ plant managers in BR/NOLA and they say "sorry, never sold our product or our competitors product".
It gets annoying.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 8:12 pm to Golfer
Don't you love how they read your resume?!
I was in an interview recently I got so annoyed with the interviewer, I had to ask if he even bothered to read my resume, after a moment of silence and a blank stare, I said thanks, and walked out.
My point is they'll call you in, knowing what you experience is, ask you bullshite questions, tell you "no thanks" while wasting half a day off from your job.
I was in an interview recently I got so annoyed with the interviewer, I had to ask if he even bothered to read my resume, after a moment of silence and a blank stare, I said thanks, and walked out.
My point is they'll call you in, knowing what you experience is, ask you bullshite questions, tell you "no thanks" while wasting half a day off from your job.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 8:29 pm to Golfer
Keep trying. It sounds like you are frustrated with your job search but keep trying because someone will take a chance on you. You may want to consider applying to smaller companies as most of them do not have hard and fast rules that they must follow when hiring a new employee.
Posted on 10/30/14 at 8:42 pm to Golfer
quote:
Yep. When you send your resume to a company for an industrial sales position and you make it clear that you have relationships with 40+ plant managers in BR/NOLA and they say "sorry, never sold our product or our competitors product". It gets annoying.
Im in that industry but I work for a manufacturer and manage our sales channels, send me your resume
Posted on 10/30/14 at 8:50 pm to MNCscripper
Email? 
Posted on 10/30/14 at 11:31 pm to Golfer
Golfer, are you looking for something in industrial sales?
Posted on 10/30/14 at 11:57 pm to iluvdatiger
It was an example. My background is gov relations/sales all in South Louisiana so I'm looking for something that encompasses one (or both) of these things and allows me to keep my home base in BR.
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