"Getting out of the business" resource thread

[wicked]

I'm having by my standards what is not a great day at work, and it's better than 98 percent of the days I had at my last job and probably better than 50 percent of my days in the biz. I'll take it.

 

[Stupid]

Getting out of the business can't come soon enough. The last 2-3 years I've watched my newsroom slowly crumble and one colleague after another depart. We lost our holiday bonuses 2 years ago and have been told no cost-of-living raises will be given. I have recently come to realize what a fish trapped in a receding body of water must feel like. I've never had much use for therapy but I'm seriously starting to think I need to talk to someone in this business. Trying to find another line of work after 18 years and at age 56 is daunting to say the least.

 

[Smallpotatoes]

It's not working out. When my department's lead left suddenly it left another newbie and I to fend for ourselves.

I wasn't able to get an essential report done because I didn't have the essential skills, training and knowledge to do it. It just really exposed why I'm not up to the job.

 

[Slacker]

 

[Smallpotatoes]

View attachment 14429

You've been so helpful. Thank you.

 

[Azrael]

not sure this counts as a resource

 

[wicked]

Every job I've taken, I've hit the mark at month two or month three or even sooner where I think I've made a MASSIVE mistake. Including this one, which I've grown to dig.

Sometimes you do know right away that you made the wrong move. But if you have the option, hang in there for awhile longer. At the very least see if you can pick up any skills that might help you to get the next gig.

 

[rtse11]

Getting out of the business can't come soon enough. The last 2-3 years I've watched my newsroom slowly crumble and one colleague after another depart. We lost our holiday bonuses 2 years ago and have been told no cost-of-living raises will be given. I have recently come to realize what a fish trapped in a receding body of water must feel like. I've never had much use for therapy but I'm seriously starting to think I need to talk to someone in this business. Trying to find another line of work after 18 years and at age 56 is daunting to say the least.

What are holiday bonuses?
What are cost of living increases?
I asked for a salary review earlier this month. The response, maybe February.
Which means my ass is on the chopping block in January.

 

[rtse11]

I got three unsolicited LinkedIn messages yesterday from recruiters.

Three.

I also got a couple earlier this week.

I have no special skills. If you looked at my LinkedIn page, you'd be wondering why they were showing interest. I sure was.

I say this not to humble brag (ok, a little) but because people are hiring. Now. For skills we have.

I've had a poster or two here look over my LI over the years and one look over my resume. That's it.

A little tweak here or there could make the difference. That's challenging to think about when you feel like you're at a dead end and have no hope, but still, do it.

Good for you. All I get is messages from financial advisors who would be stunned to learn I don't make enough money after 40 years.in the business to afford a financial advisor.

 

[Smallpotatoes]

Every job I've taken, I've hit the mark at month two or month three or even sooner where I think I've made a MASSIVE mistake. Including this one, which I've grown to dig.

Sometimes you do know right away that you made the wrong move. But if you have the option, hang in there for awhile longer. At the very least see if you can pick up any skills that might help you to get the next gig.

It's become obvious in the last few months that my current job just isn't for me.
I've had some rough patches in all my years of sportswriting but nothing like this.
I don't know how much longer I'll last. They're having a hard time filling some unfilled positions and another guy is leaving soon so it seems it would be in their best interest as well as mine for it to work out for me, but we'll see.
I'm looking elsewhere and hope whatever is wrong here isn't something I'll run into anywhere I go with whatever I do.

 

[wicked]

SP, how's the gig going?

Just found out my old boss is leaving and hasn't publicly announced where his next stop is. And he's in one of those positions where you brag about getting a promotion when you get a promotion. I hope he slept with the wrong person or told the wrong person to pound sand.

I try not to trade in schadenfreude, but fork it. Does nothing for me since I'm gone so long now and I'm in a better place, but my Wednesday was a bit better after seeing that news.

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

SP, how's the gig going?

Just found out my old boss is leaving and hasn't publicly announced where his next stop is. And he's in one of those positions where you brag about getting a promotion when you get a promotion. I hope he slept with the wrong person or told the wrong person to pound sand.

I try not to trade in schadenfreude, but fork it. Does nothing for me since I'm gone so long now and I'm in a better place, but my Wednesday was a bit better after seeing that news.

I trade in it the same way I did Fleer baseball cards in the 1980s and took immense joy in learning my former city editor, a person who shouldn't have been let near a wrapping paper let alone newspapers, was shirtcanned four years ago. I have a glorious story about that that I'll add when I get home.