I quote the tv commercial: "i have clawed my way into middle management." Basically, I am an assistant vice president with a big title and very little authority.

My company (that I was with for more than nine years) was acquired amicably, but the corporate culture has caused most of the senior and upper management to seek opportunities elsewhere.

I, also, am not interested in staying within this company, but I'm finding that my level of management and skillset are hard to "market." I've been actively looking for a new job or even career change for four months and have not been very successful.

I am a communication professional -- specializing in executive presentation and annual reports. However, I am interested also in employee communication and media/advertising (in which I have substantial experience).

I don't know that I've a particular question, but I would like to know if the market is not interested in communication professionals at this point in time. Or is it that people under the age of 35 are getting all the good jobs?

Thanks to anyone who has insight. Regards. --T

-- Terri (t-belle@mindspring.com), November 14, 2000

Answers

Terri, big title and little authority is better than having little title and little authority and therefore you are just one step away from having a big title and big authority.

Whether your allowed to take that step depends on how much confidence you can retain in yourself, how much you value what you already do (because trying to run from something always shows up in someone's demeanor) and how relaxed you are will have an effect on your responses and actions. The tighter you get the more people sense it and turn people away, so first you should try to reframe your current situation as well as design and plan where you want to go and how you expect to get there.

Yes, there is a level of ageism in the marketplace but if you let that affect your thinking, again it shows in the final presentation. The question you have to ask in looking for your job, what do I need to differently and what do I need to do better. Some of those questions are answered in the book What Color is Your Parachute by Richard Nelson Bolles. Have a look at it.

BTW Thanks for your e-mail the other night, I hope that I have satisfied your curiousity and of course, the answer to your question is that this is not a marketing ploy and if I don't bother to try at least to attempt to see the world you see, I am not going to broaden my perspective of life. My advice may be worth peanuts but at least it some kind of feedback. I know that I am not the solution to your problems and nor can I step into your shoes but I hope this 10 minute perspective was helpful. There are times when I just don't have time but I am not one of those people that always tell others "I've got no time", because there is enough of those people out there already.

The Best to you Terri, that's my 2 cents worth.

-- Mark Zorro (zorromark@consultant.com), November 16, 2000.