How can I turn my work-life around?

Question

For the past 5 years I have not done much to to look for or obtain a more suitable career/job. I got stuck working as a bench research scientist just after graduating in 2000, I ended up not doing the best job due to depression, but nonetheless I have some supportive references and marketable skills out of it all. Since 2003, I've been a serial "temp" worker at local universities doing admin jobs of various sorts. I feel stuck. I don't quite know how to get moving again, especially in terms of marketing myself to new employers given my great no. of temp jobs, my lackluster performance in research, and given the fact that over the past 12 years I have had to recover from cancer, divorce, death of a sister, depression, and secondary illnesses from the cancer. Obviously, I don't want to share this in the work place, yet the implications are still very real....though I have recovered a great deal, I am still working towards being fully functional in my life. Please advise...Thanks!

Answer 1

Depression takes time and energy to pass. Working as a serial temp is probably a very good move, because it allows you to continue your employment on your terms, and yet get closer to defining what your idealwork environment is.

My advise is to be a bit more gentle on YOUR expectations and criticisms of you.. Sounds like you have done remarkably well with difficult circumstance. That and eliminate "poverty" thinking or actions that continue having you feel stuck or failing. You can do this. You can get a great job, and sometimes, the universe is just waiting for you to believe you can before this can happen.

You are already fully functional, now take the steps towards choosing your destiny rather than accepting your present state as your future.

http://hfcareernetwork.com has hints for job seekers, and there is a Career Transformations Yahoo Group that might be helpful as well http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/HFCN-CareerTransformationTalk/

Cost of both groups: Free.
Value to those really wanting to make career change: Priceless!

Best wishes in your continued career success. You have all you need to succeed!

Answer 2

First of all please accept my heartiest congratulations on being an Achiever. It has given me great strength to know that someone out there has gone through almost similar track and got on top of it all.

I am sure that you already know that you will be there where you want to be and are just looking for pointers for action. Kindly allow me to tell you that with my circumstances and attitudes in the part of the world and the society I am in, it was almost near to impossible to make a come back but I did. I am not braging about myself. Just letting you know that when I tell you that it takes consistent effort, positive attitude towards life, compensation for others and a workable plan you are half-way through then it is from personal heart-breaking experiences.

I did short stint jobs for a while (5 years) before I applied and got selected for a longer stable one. The position was quite lower than what I should have been in and I asked for a lower (about 20%) financial package than others. I stayed there for about two years and then moved onto my current job which is one tier below what I could be.

I have showed that inspite of all the hurdles, I have a will to fight back and overcome my circumstances with patience, hard work and consistently moving up in diverse environments. Moreover, with the previous job I have also demonstrated that I am a reliable stable worker who wants a long term commitment. Of course, a background check with my previous employer was an added bonus. Also by moving in on to this job and relocating to a different geographical location, I have proven that I am flexible and adjust to a cultural environment different from mine. My contract has just been renewed for another six months (ten days ago). The next step is to be a permanent employee of this company. And finally to move up to the position that is waiting for me.

In the meanwhile, I have invested a lot of time in learning (in every sense of the word). I am a Muslim and believe in "Life After Death" but now I am also a firm believer in "Life After Work". Socialising (networking) pays in the long run...

Wish you ALL the BEST. Good Luck.

Answer 3

I think you need to talk to a career counceler in a college.
Starting your own business is not easy and requires knowledge
of the business and money to back you up, until it is off and running. I didnt go to college - I determined it was of no interest
to me, as I would rather work with my hands and there is a
great demand for this type of employment. If this interests you
I would enroll in a night school to study for a refrigeration license.

Answer 4

Make sure that you are up to date educationally in your field and continue to take courses to keep your knowledge current. Try hard to get very good marks. This will show that you are serious and have ambition to succeed in your field.