I've been here for nearly 25 years. That's how long ago I filled out my last job application and I had my last job interview. With Xerox in a state that it's in, I know it's better for me to start looking but I have no idea where to start. I'm feeling too old to start again and yet I know I have to. I hate this company for putting me in this position when I was once certain I'd retire here.
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Be sure to spend a little bit of money and get professional help with your resume.
If you've been out the job search for a while you need to understand there are modern tools companies use to sort out resumes. The most important is ATS (applicant tracking system). It searches for key words to match a job seeker to specific jobs. This allows companies to exclude the majority of resumes before a person from HR reviews them. A professional service can clean up your file and make sure you include the most important key words and phrases.
This site lists 9 professional services.
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/best-resume-writing-services-4582137
Once you move on you realize you should have done it a long time ago. I figured I would retire there as well but by 2017 I just couldn’t sit around any longer waiting to get laid off. I wanted to control my own path. Xerox has taught us all that nothing is certain and keeping your head in the sand and not exploring options is the worst thing you can do. It is scary. It feels foreign and you won’t want to do it at first. Take charge and use the recommendations below. I personally found that people who had left xerox were extremely kind and wanted to pass on the knowledge they had. People don’t know you are looking until you tell them. LinkedIn is a great resource for that. See what your former colleagues are doing. It has nothing to do with printers toner or paper I’d imagine. Ask them about their experiences interviewing. The pitfalls we all fell into without realizing it (using xerox speak etc) and get a resume writer especially if you e been out of the game for a while.
In addition to the excellent suggestions others have shared, here are some other ideas.
- - Check with your local library. The branches in the Rochester NY area often offer classes.
- - Community centers often have support groups and programs
- - Get really familiar with LinkedIn and connect with as many people as you can.
- - Do keyword searches for free content on the internet. Pretty soon, you'll see patterns, where certain suggestions and strategies appear multiple places. You'll learn a new career language: "landed" is where you want to be, in a new job!
I hadn’t interviewed outside of X since 1998 and was really uncomfortable about it. It takes some practice.
1) become active on linked in
2) get your resume in good shape and decide what your skills can do for your outside of X
3) start applying and interviewing so you get experience
If you are from the Rochester area I recommend connecting with Dan Troup. Former xerox guy now a independent career guide. He has helped a lot of people. You can find him on linked in.
Get some cojones and apply for a job already. There's this fancy new technology called the Internet you can use to help. Or get some cheese with your whine.
Not sure if this helps, but I started my job search before I was laid off by the soul-s—ing X. (I was sure that the end was in sight). I also had 25+ years at the company. I did some networking to find some local opportunities. Of course, I prepared for my interviews (studied the new company, brushed up my resume, did some mock interviews with friends), but what I also did was two things: 1. Told myself it didn't matter if I got the new job. 2. Pretended I was being interviewed by David Letterman. You want to talk about ME for an hour? Fabulous! I have had my new job for a couple of years now, and I am still astounded about the respect I am getting at my new company. Xerox is a like an abusive spouse. You ARE better than you are being treated. Good luck and Godspeed!
A lot has changed since you last applied for a job. The best thing you can do for yourself right now is contact your local career center before beginning your job search (For example, RochesterWorks!). You do not have to be out of work to use their services.
Try zip recruiter, monster,indeed, and employment agencies in your area.
Good luck
Yup terrible company but great opportunity to ditch these soul draining slime balls. Feeling too old to start again? I get that but guarantee as soon as you have a plan and ditch xerox it’ll feel like 20 coffee enemas! Maybe work on the side towards your retirement start up company? A warrior like you was moving into del Bocca Vista, play some golf and waiting for death? I don’t think so!