Struggling to Restart My Career After a Break: Is Age or Experience Holding Me Back?

Dear all, I quit my job four years ago for a genuine personal reason. I completed my MBA through correspondence and worked in administration and HR for seven years. In the past year, I have been applying for jobs and attending interviews, but everything seems to be in vain. I am unsure if my career break or my age (33 now) is playing a vital role in this delay. I find it challenging to determine. I am afraid that I have started losing my confidence, and I am eager to get back to my career. If I pursue some courses, would it help me get back on track? I really need some guidance. Please suggest.

Addressing Career Breaks and Correspondence MBA

You have a break of 4 years due to personal reasons. That is perfectly understandable. Your MBA is through correspondence, and that has lesser value in the job market.

What I could suggest is that you prepare for every interview with care—read up about the company and be well-informed about the role you can play as an HR person and how you can contribute towards the company's targets. Continuing your education in a particular field that will help is always good. Mainly, do not lose your confidence. Try and analyze where you could have missed out in some company's interview and plug that gap. Surely, you will get a good job. It is a matter of time.

Make your CV in a thoughtful manner and highlight your earlier achievements in a quantifiable manner—e.g., "Due to my introducing ----, I could bring about savings to the tune of Rs1 lakh for the company." You have experience, and with preparation, I am sure that you will be able to present yourself as a candidate who can contribute towards organizational growth. Best of luck.

Appearing for interviews is nothing but gaining more and more experience in facing such interviews—understanding the FAQs in the interview and comprehending the employer's expectations towards the candidate, etc. By encountering interviews, you should recall the answers you provided and assess whether they align with the employer's expectations. This process is straightforward. Always remember not to solely consider the employee's perspective; also, contemplate from the employer's viewpoint.

Many interviews fail due to the candidate's salary expectations. If you aim to secure the job, refrain from demanding a high salary. State your expectation once, followed by "negotiable," which is crucial. Before discussing your salary, research the market rate for the specific position and assess if your profile matches it. Only then can you seize the job opportunity.

For instance, in the current scenario, the salary offered for a secretary job may range between Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 18,000. Base your response on industry standards rather than personal financial needs, as the job does not require specialized skills that would warrant a higher salary.

Furthermore, pursuing an MBA serves as a supportive tool, enhancing your on-the-job experiences. Holding an MBA is a professional qualification. During interviews, provide practical answers and showcase pragmatic thinking. Demonstrating this approach signifies achievement and confidence. Enhance your self-assurance by reading management books, thinking practically about people, and engaging with HR managers. Such interactions provide valuable insights and ideas.

As an HR Manager, I am here to assist and guide you through CiteHR. Feel free to reach out for any support or advice.

Good Luck.

Do not lose hope or confidence. Age is no barrier for the right candidate. However, you must prove yourself as the "right" candidate, right? Before each interview, prepare thoroughly—not only about the company but more importantly, about your own strengths. You have attended many interviews, so think about the pattern and carefully choose your answers.

In the meantime, read a lot—not only about management but also whatever interests you. Join short-term or online courses if possible. While they may not provide much credit in the job market, they offer valuable knowledge, which always brings confidence. Pay attention to your weak points as well and present yourself in a more positive light.

Wish you the best.

Well, I do not agree with it, but yes, in some contexts, Mr. Nathrao is right that correspondence education has less value in the market today, and it is really unfortunate, I would say. But time is changing, and we can now say it is not true because if it were, the universities and institutes that provide correspondence education would not exist today. Why are lakhs of students enrolling themselves for correspondence education and getting served every year if it has less value in the market?

However, it is true that people are still not accepting it, and the market, unfortunately, does not show confidence in candidates because of CorEd. People who are working, gaining practical knowledge and experience, and have completed their education through an option like "Correspondence Education" are more successful in the market today because of their maturity and better understanding of their functions rather than regular students.

I personally know many people in big companies/MNCs who hold high positions and have completed their education through correspondence education. Some of them work in the HR department, and others are in Sales & Marketing. Many of them are members of Cite too.

And Prs. Dharshini, I believe you are facing problems due to your career gap, which is quite obvious. Recruiters lack confidence in you because you have not been able to demonstrate your spark with updated knowledge, high interest, and confidence. Age is another factor, but this can be handled with the aforementioned skills. Every recruiter seeks an experienced, knowledgeable, and mature individual who can not only manage the work efficiently and timely but also do so with maturity and accurate professionalism to be an asset.

Regarding you, Mr./Ms./Mrs. Prs. Dharshini, you can pursue relevant courses to upgrade your knowledge and skills, which will boost your morale and confidence, crucial for you. You are not alone in facing these difficulties; many others experience challenges related to career gaps and age factors.

Do not lose heart if you do not receive a positive response from recruiters. Accept it, move on, face opportunities, and seize them. Be positive, be active, and be smart today.

Thank you, friends, for bringing back my confidence. I do agree that I know people who are doing great with a correspondence degree. However, I think my career gap is playing a vital role.

I have a small question: what would be the better course that can be taken?

Regards,
Priya

I suggest you go and find some strong references for yourself instead of wasting time on giving interviews. The reason I am saying this is because you have a gap of 4 years, and your degree is through correspondence, which has less value in the job market. Nowadays, HR recruiters are following strict compliance in the recruitment process, and a gap is considered a weak point. So, the best possible thing you can do is to ask your friends and relatives to help you get a good job. Courses and further study might go in vain because of your age factor; you are 33 years old now, and by studying some courses, you will lose your time and money. You can update yourself by reading lots of material on your subject via the internet and forums like this.

Have a nice time, brother, and I hope you will not feel bad about my advice.

Regards,
KHURRAM