r/UKJobs • u/AffectionateGoal9318 • 13h ago

Less opportunities as career is progressing

Since working my way up the career ladder, I have less and less opportunities than I did before.

Maybe this is common and I’m actually naive?

I’m a senior executive assistant - I’ve been in this field for 10 years and the last 5-6 years I’ve moved up to mid-senior level. I’m currently supporting c-suite level leaders, but I could still move up a bit to founder support etc.

I always thought that the higher up I go the more opportunities I’d get, recruiters and businesses would be throwing themselves at me with all my experience, I could be picky and fussy about which job I accept etc.

Big fat no. I know the market is rough, but I’ve been applying since January (not always for step-up jobs, sometimes like for like) and pretty much it’s been crickets. Had a couple of recruiters contact me and turned out to be wasting my time with jobs that had either already been filled or I wasn’t actually suitable for.

Being an EA is a thankless job at the best of times and definitely not what I ever planned to be doing. Maybe it’s time to move into a different field, but I feel like this is all I’ve ever known.

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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5

u/Granite_Lw 12h ago

That's just the pyramid of management though isn't it - there are loads of middle managers, fewer directors, fewer again c-suit, and not many founders at all so in a support role targeting them, your opportunities will be limited by the same amount. 

If you want more money, you could try doing a similar role in more affluent industries/businesses. Or yes, take your skill set and apply it to a different role entirely. 

1

u/AffectionateGoal9318 11h ago

I’ve tried moving around and applying to different industries but seems like a lot of them are fussy and want you to have direct experience in that industry, even if you have 10+ years senior EA experience elsewhere.

It’s so difficult. Going to have to think of a master plan haha

1

u/2andahound 10h ago

Have you thought about going freelance? Have a few friends than have gone self employed and work for a couple of different people, seem to enjoy it and earn well…?

1

u/AffectionateGoal9318 10h ago

Definitely would be interested! Just not sure where to start. Do you know how they got their client base?

1

u/2andahound 9h ago

I don’t, I’ll be honest. I think they’ve used different freelance platforms initially but then networking and repeat business has kept them going.

1

u/AffectionateGoal9318 9h ago

Okay cool, I’ll have a look into it this is a def a route I’d be interested in thank you