Marketing myself with new degree and previous work experience?

Question

After working in the restaurant business fulltime for over 20 years in all capacities (dish-GM), I decided to take a break, travel, and go back to school to get my B.A. degree in Professional Studies with a focus on International Studies and Communication. I graduate in December and am wondering how I should go about marketing my new degree with my work experience. I still do catering and have my own personal training business. Any HR feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time and feedback. -Koa

Answer 1

I would look at some of the extra large entertainment centers, Vagas, Miami Beach, Orlando.

Answer 2

Many older people feel that they will have a problem finding work when they change their careers. However, employers want someone who is job ready. Your 20 years of experience, including GM (I assume general manager) work will be highly valuable.

I would take the approach of summarising your previous employment in your resume. Employers won't care about where you washed dishes and so on, but have a summary fills in the blanks and describes what you were doing.

You would want to specifically list your management and professional experience. This will fast track you into a supervisory/management role.

Don't be ashamed of your background, be proud of what you have done and achieved. Employers are likely to ask you why you decided to change your career, but that is not a big issue. Your experience will help you will many other roles.

Finally, consider career and work options that relate to your background. Food and restaurant businesses are international (from fast food to five-star hotel chains). So there is plenty of opportunity to combine your past and your current careers.