Re-entering the jobs market

20 May 2002 by
Re-entering the jobs market

Question

An ex-hotel manager I moved into my own business in 1983 in a small inn where I developed my cooking skills. Upon the sale of the property in 1991 I joined The Scottish Gourmet as executive chef/managing director where I developed a menu for mail-order dinner parties. In 1996 I went to Malta to develop restaurants in time-share aparthotels. I returned to the UK in November 2001 and have been job hunting unsuccessfully ever since.

Apart from the fact that my age (57) is against me, my CV reads well and I know that my abilities will make me a suitable candidate for a position in management, food developement and production and training. I have applied for a number of jobs and registered with many agencies to no avail. What am I doing wrong? Is there a market for 57-year-olds in the industry? Should I consider changing roles? If so, to what? Any help would be appreciated.

Bernard Alessi

What the expert says

Leslie Reynolds, managing director, Portfolio International

! -

"I can empathise with your dilemma entirely because on the face of it you have a wealth of experience: you have run your own business, you have been executive chef/managing director and have developed new concepts, and you have worked abroad.

"Also you are honest enough to admit that you are 57.

"The truth is that you have several challenges to overcome:

  • our experience shows that it can be difficult for individuals who have worked abroad to re-enter the domestic market.
  • it also shows that when you have run your own business, companies can be 'shy' of recruiting. The perception (but not necessarily evidence), is that it could be harder to integrate an individual who has been doing their own thing. And you go on to indicate very honestly that you have been a managing director. You may be perceived as a threat.

"The truth is that you have three barriers to overcome and I would suggest that these are all affecting your chances.

"I am not sure that, given the present market, there is a solution if you carry on the same course.

"I would recommend that you try to take a self-employed/consultancy route where you can turn your experience, knowledge and maturity to your advantage and offer your services to companies on a project basis. There is a lot of lucrative project work in the market presently. Alternatively, have you thought of starting your own smaller business again?"

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