I’m in kind of a funk right now. I like the project I’ve been working on for the last six months but I don’t much care for the company for which I’m working. The project will probably be extended for another six months but what happens to me after that is unclear. My impression is that I’m sort of a square peg in a round hole. I am more capable, more self-sufficient, and more expensive than my employer is comfortable with. I’d like another job but I’m realistic enough to recognize that new jobs are becoming increasingly difficult for me to find. One of the things holding me back is that my present job title doesn’t actually represent what I do—it’s about three notches below my actual responsibilities.
On another realistic note I probably wouldn’t think much of any company I worked for unless I was running it and maybe not even then.
What other factors are impediments for finding more work? Do you think age is a factor?
Age is probably a factor although I look, sound, and move about 20 years younger than I am. Last year I went to visit a client with a couple of colleagues, both younger than I (one 20 years younger than I). I wore both of them out.
Once you reach a certain level the number of opportunities decreases sharply and the number of opportunities worth pursuing decreases even more. If I had remained in the corporate world I’d be at the EVP level or above at a Fortune 500 company. I’m not looking to go back there but the director level or above at a substantial company is about right.
Location is probably an issue.
I meant did you suspect ageism pf employers, not that you are less capable.
That was my understanding of what you meant.
Oh. Well, now I get it.