Shine and set yourself apart

Q: I left a 16-year career in publishing, where I'd advanced from the lowest ranks to management. My salary fell sharply when I went to beginner work in PR, and while I now have almost four years' experience, I'm hearing that jobs are paying even less than what I earn today. My current employer is predicting layoffs.

Employers aren't expecting an older candidate. I'm the major breadwinner in my family with children in school and can't afford to be downwardly mobile. Should I drop my first career from my resume? Should I reframe it to emphasize the PR aspects of publishing and sell myself as a mid-level candidate instead of a beginner? I don't mind working for bosses who are younger than I am - my current supervisor is in her 30s and I'm in my 50s. As a candidate, I feel stuck in the middle!

A: Your first career sets you apart. Reshape its best experience to indicate your qualifications for a management position. Dump anything there and in your current field that isn't as significant as your best experience.

Then, play the game right. Bring clients to new firms. Lots of ‘em.

HOLE

Q: I've been home-schooling my children, pre-K through eighth grade, since 1992. The youngest started high school this year and I would like to return to federal civil service as a contract administrator or logistics management specialist. I have a master's degree in public administration.

For the past 12 months I've been applying through a government web site. In every case, I'm rejected for not having enough specialized experienced (I have none) or rated qualified by education, but not ranked high enough to be referred to the interviewing official.

Do you have any suggestions on how to turn "running a home school" into "specialized experience?"

A: Try a skills-based resume that focuses on skills your preferred areas require.

If that fizzles, change tactics. Slide into an entry-level job in contracts or logistics and invite opportunity. Volunteer for assignments that will help you reshape your resume and get to know people. The more you meet, the more likely you'll be considered for a job before it's even posted. Finally, find a sponsor who sees your promise to feed you other opportunities. Do that person favors when you can.

(Dr. Mildred Culp welcomes your questions at culp@workwise.net. © 2012 Passage Media. The opinions are solely those of the writer.)