A
female
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes:Hi Aunts and Uncles!I hope my question can be regarded as a relationship question...I have been on the same low paying job for more than 8 years. I love the work, I love working conditions, I even love my boss. BUT. I can’t live properly with the money I earn (min. wages for a job that requires at least 3 foreign languages and a Master’s degree) :( I always have to teach (private lessons) to earn extra cash. Which is fine, but we’re still struggling and teaching opportunities are getting scarcer.Anyway, the time has come for me to start looking for another job and I’m attending workshops on how to write a CV, how to “survive” a job interview… Something I haven’t had a chance to do yet (I got all my jobs during my under- and post-graduate studies, I didn’t have to “audition”) So, I got confronted with a harsh reality. First of all I’m almost 40, which is not ideal, but there’s nothing I can do about that.Secondly, due to various reasons I haven’t made nowhere nearly enough contacts :( It seems that I absolutely have to have a LinkedIn profile since future employers expect to able to do an online check.Now, if I open it right now, I am going to have only 2-3 business contacts (I mean I could always add a few friends from my country of origin, but it would be only for numbers without a real business potential). So it could backfire…I am still thinking about what I should do…Not to mention the obvious, how do I get more contacts (fast if possible)?Just a a bit of background: on my current job I NEVER get to meet people. My boss does all the meetings, promotion, conventions, festivals… I am totally in the background. And I cannot afford to pay for myself travelling expenses just to *be* somewhere… but who knows maybe I should somehow manage just that. Even though it would be paying to work…Thanx!
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (30 June 2016): I am the OP.
Thank you soooo much! I really appreciate your help!
I'll ask around and see if there are any networking clubs around here.
I'll try other things you mentioned too :)
I feel now's the moment for change.
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (30 June 2016): I do not know about in Belgium, but in the USA we have many networking clubs just for that reason.
I am in finance myself, and we have rotary clubs, community business organizations, estate planning councils and CPA councils, etc.
Can you find a few networking organizations for your current business, or even better, the business you are looking to get into? How about contacting your professors from your undergrad and graduate studies? My husband is a professor and likes to hear from former students how they are doing, and tries to help them with references as such if he can.
Volunteering also can uncover business contacts, though it takes a bit longer to get yourself established & get to know people that call the shots in the not-for-profit organizations. Can be well worth it though if you like the cause and are committed to putting in the time.
Are there any people you went to school with that are now in the field you will be looking for work in? Reach out and ask them about their jobs too.
Also, Practice, practice, practice interviewing. Have your friends pretend to be your interviewer, and have them ask you questions so you can practice being conversational in your interview. People want to hire someone they find they connect with a bit, not a robot. Find some hard questions that you could be asked, and work on your answers, not just what to say, but how to say them.
I hope some of this will help, I know you can find a better position that can pay you a salary that you can live on and deserve!
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