Cher Forman

"Ask Cher"

Cher Forman has over 20 years of domestic and international Human Resources experience in organizations ranging from startups to $3B. As Director or Vice President, she has managed Human Resources groups at Applied Materials, Stanford Telecom, Ask Computer Systems, Teledex and Tri-Data Corporation and consulted on H.R. philosophy, values and infrastructure with many start-ups as well. Cher has managed several of these firms through rapid expansion and significant organizational challenges. While at Applied Materials, she led her business unit as the company grew from 6,000 to 16,000 employees in three years. Ms. Forman has specific expertise in employment, corporate legal compliance, development of cost effective compensation/benefit strategies, organization development and international HR management. She has a degree in Organization Behavior from the University of San Francisco and has participated in advanced training at several other colleges and universities.

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Depressed
November 16, 2010 by Cher Forman
Question:
 
Dear Cher:
Where do you find opportunity for me? I’m 62, laid off 1 ½ yrs ago. 30+ years of experience and can’t find a job. Being treated for depression and anxiety and now ADHD! I’m on medication and go to therapy. I don’t fit into my administrative niche and probably never really have fit in well. The jobs all ask for new tech skills that I don’t have. Are there companies left that will welcome me? I’m exhausted and discouraged in the search.
Dana

Answer:

Dear Dana:
Thanks for writing. You certainly have a lot going on in your life right now. I think the most important issue at this point is your health. It’s hard enough to job hunt when you’re well, but when you’re depressed it looks impossible. Keep a running discussion with your therapists about when you might be able to do an effective job search and don’t force yourself until you are ready.
Meanwhile, go to your nearest job development office and look into how they might be able to help. Ask to speak with one of their counselors. If you can find one who resonates with you, you may have found a real partner in your quest for a career you love. Be sure to tell this person all the information you shared with me. They can’t help you find good answers if they don’t know all the issues. If you had worked with this job development office at the time you were laid off, tell them you are on your way to being a new person, and that you really want to work.
The first thing to ask for is some Job Assessment help. This will help you see where your current interests are and what line of work you could really enjoy. Just because you’ve always been in one line of work does not mean you can’t be successful in something new. It’s not unlikely that what you really want to do includes several of the administrative skills you already possess. This would mean you have transferrable skills to brag about when you get back into the job search.
If NONE of your current skills are really transferrable, then congratulations for sticking with a job you never felt comfortable in for so many years. No wonder you’re feeling depressed and anxious!!! You may have felt some of those feelings before, but now you have started dealing with them to get some relief. Congratulations! Working in a field in which you have some actual interest always feels better. It feels easier, and your desire to learn more about it makes you a much more motivated employee.
The next step is to decide on a good course of action with your job counselor. Some of your choices would be:
·         Look for an entry level job in your area of interest (if you’re ready health wise)
·         Scout out some training opportunities in the field.
·         Ask if your community has any non-profit organizations with related work you’d enjoy doing. You might be paid a minimal amount, or it may not pay at all. What it will do is give you some time to work where there is not so much pressure and you’re giving back to the community, too.   Check out the website: internsover4o.com  to learn about other experienced people who have found rewarding positions at non-profits.
Realize that at this point in your life you have nothing you must prove to anyone else. The person who really matters most is you. Let yourself explore activity you love. It doesn’t have to be about the money.
Most important is to work with your doctor to determine what you’re likely to be able to accomplish at this point in your treatment. Don’t burden yourself with too much too soon.   Always keep in mind that you know what feels best to you and go for it at a reasonable pace.
Dana, I hope this will be helpful and I am confident your recovery will coincide with you having a life that’s more about you and giving yourself credit for every step you take. Good luck!

Best, Cher
Categories: Ask Cher (HR Executive), Self Assessment, Career Management & Transition, Health, Things You Need to Know
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