Looking for 10 months now.
I am a pharmacist who has worked 32 years of retail and mail-order pharmacy. A new DM came into my job of 12 years and decided to replace all the top-salary "dinosaurs" with new Phd graduates ( I only have a Bachelor's degree). They cost less and follow directives more easily. He looked for 6 months for something to stick against the wall that would force me out- initialing credit vouchers that customer forgot to sign ( which was the previous policy). I feel like I am being black-balled because they call this guy and he gives them negative feedback so they don't call back. I have had 4 jobs since graduating in 1982. All were 6-12 years so I have a solid history, nothing negative from the state board and am hard-working, rarely call in for anything and am a good pharmacist. How do I get around this guy? I should not have signed the termination papers and taken him to court but I was in a 15 month divorce battle so did not want any more attorneys. The market is flooded with new graduates and people coming in from all over the world so it is a tough market. I am selling my home so I can open up more possibilities. Any further advice/ Thanks- Terry #careers
Hey Terry, So sorry to hear you are having a tough time of it right now. I am sure 'this too shall pass' but I recognize that is easier for people outside of the daily stress to see than it is when you are in the midst of it. I am not sure if I have the exact thought to help but heres a couple things to think about which I hope prove helpful.
With regard to the problem of the bad reference check landmine for your future interviews: The formula to overcome this is pretty simple. First, you need to dilute it with lots of positive references. It sounds like you had a great career until this personality/policy problem. If you can, have coworkers and past supervisors lined up for positive references (you can start by asking them to praise you right on your Jobcase profile - its simple to do from our myinfo page). Next dilute his impact during your interview stage if the job prospects look good. Its important to not trash talk him or go into so many details you sound defensive. But there is nothing wrong with stating "I have many references which I am proud will vouch for my value as an employee, coworker and boss. But I should point out that the last position I left was not an amicable separation and I would not expect that particular supervisor to be supportive. I believe that his voice is an outlier in my 32 year career, but thought you should know that for when you check references". - Or something likes that. Just be sure to not be very negative about him. Taking the high road gives you more credibility. No need to go into any details about why, just simple statement so that you take the power out of any punch he throws. And definitely don't mention anything about regretting lawsuits -that could scare off new potential employers.
For the search and seniority issue. I am not an expert on your chosen field so I don't know the answer to questions you must face but I do know the questions: 1) What is the current market rate for your skillset and talents today? 2) If it is lower than your current expectations, do you like your chosen career path enough to keep doing it at the new market rate - or do you want more compensation enough to warrant thinking about career changes that might provide that? 3) Based on earlier questions - how to build your job search -- (and that can be immediate search, and intended 2-5 year plan as two separate paths that need to be considered).
I hope the market rate for your skills is still what you were compensated. But today’s world is a fast changing one and there have been many professions that have pushed down fair-market-compensation for a given skill set. I have a friend in the financial services business that is addressing this very issue right now. Hold out for a job that paid him what he used to get paid, or take a job that pays 50% of that? It’s not an easy call. But its one you may have to make. The tough thing is to look at the market as it is. It sounds like you have and you are coming to grips with the fact that supply of labor in your field is up (so if demand is the same, then the cost of labor must be down - which stinks).
You must be crazy smart and compassionate to have had success in a field like pharmacy so I am sure you can get through this. You just need to face the real situation head on. So here are the options that I see
Final thought. Try to stay positive my friend. I know its tough and hearing about the divorce makes it sound even tougher. But you sound healthy, well educated, and unburdened in many ways (not tied to home or current job). That freedom can be a great source of power as you think of options. If you can keep on the positive side of things that will help (I know that’s tough but its really important).
Good luck thinking through this. We will certainly be rooting for you and I'll look forward to seeing you get some praises on here to dilute the one bad reference in your past.
Fred