[thekingof8]

After 15 years of cooking, I am officially fed up with it. After getting unfairly chewed out by my boss (in front of the customers no less) at my latest job, it's time to rip everything down and start over. I am sick and tired of being treated like complete **** by chefs (not a typo, I actually meant to type that in lowercase), and not going anywhere with my experience (Read my other thread on my "pleasant" experiences working in the field http://forums.psychcentral.com/work-...er-advice.html). The problem is, nobody wants to hire a 35 year old who only has experience flipping burgers and chopping vegetables. They just see cooking on the resume, and they fire it in the garbage. I haven't developed ANY OTHER SKILLS I can really put on a resume that will "WOW" people. I'm just sick and tired of having a gun to my head. I just want a job that pays decent that I'm good at and happy with. Or am I just asking for too much?

[thekingof8]

And another thing, please don't anyone tell me to just "stick with it." I AM DONE COOKING!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cakeladie]

Ok how about taking a deep breath first and calm down.

Next stop and think about what you would like to do. Next what about signing up for a temp agency? A temp agency is not just office work but the right agency has jobs in all different type of fields. It's something to think about

Also think about a trade school. Most of those you can do at night or have flexible schedules.

[thekingof8]

I've been on holidays the last week, and I have had plenty of time to think about it, so it's not just a rant and rave. I guess temp agencies wouldn't be a bad idea.

[cakeladie]

I did not mean to sound like you haven't given this some thought because I am sure you have given it a lot of thought.

Temp agency now a days have all sort of different Job opportunities. Most companies now hire you on has a temp to see how you will work out first before just hiring people.

But you need to think do you want to work in an office, outside with people with kids etc

And 35 is not to old to change jobs it's the perfect time

[jaynedough]

I hope you can find a job that doesn't feel like a job. Can you teach yourself some skills that would look good on paper? Or maybe volunteer somewhere that you could learn skills? I was thinking about a shelter for the homeless or battered or runaways. Or an animal shelter. Or a home for intellectually disabled people. Volunteering can also give you something to put on a resume. I know you don't want to cook anymore, but offering to teach the basics might be a way to get your foot in the door. Sorry, I've been out of the job market for a long time. I think the temp agency is a brilliant idea.

[thekingof8]

I've wanted to volunteer for something, but I am just completely wiped after work because it takes so much out of me.

[dillpickle1983]

I went to culinary school for college. Worked my way up to sous chef. I burned out so bad that I don't even cook for myself at home anymore. I feel your pain. I had to leave the culinary field several years ago and I haven't looked back. Go be a trucker, that's what I did!

[thekingof8]

I've already gone to College for cooking, and that didn't get me anywhere, so I'm not plopping even more money down to go back to school and wind up at square one.

It's also hard to emphasize on a resume self-taught skills, because I have no proof that the skill even exist.

I've applied to different organizations for volunteering, so hopefully that goes somewhere.

[CosmicRose]

I think there are definitely a few different ways you can write your resume to showcase skills other than cooking, because cooking has many "shoot-off" skills such as time management, management in general, cleaning, maintenance (fixing things around the kitchen), organization, execution, creativity, experience, persistence, reliable, motivated, there are many different words to describe all aspects of what a chef does. Skills that can pertain to other jobs. People switch fields all the time. You just have to really showcase your skills and make them fit into other areas related to the specific job you're applying for.

For example, my last job was in customer service. I had to really tailor my resume to closely match the skills required for the job I was applying for even though it didn't have to do with customer service. I think the fact that you've had a job for 15 years shows how reliable you are to employers right off the bat. Focus on your assets and what you bring to the table (pun intended). Make your profile interesting and highlight your skills using the words I mentioned.

Kitchens work like a crew on a ship, the head chef is the captain but the captain would never reach his destination without his crew. Each chef is a manager to the other chef. Working like a cohesive machine. Mention your managerial qualities. Your leadership qualities. Fast and independent worker who pays great attention to detail, producing top quality work with extensive time management skills. Write something like that, and apply for all types of jobs in different fields. Someone will realize the importance of your experience.

[thekingof8]

Here is my Resume. I had to turn it into a jpg picture:

Resume.jpg

[stewartmays1]

been in the same boat all my skills are in the catering industry and i now unemployed and it sucks my only advice would be to sit down one day and think what would you really like to do its hard i know but untill you have some sense of direction you wont get very far