Communication

Based on the following narrative account, please respond with feedback to this individual by responding to the questions at the end. Your response should be a fully developed 3-4 paragraph response.

I was relatively successful in my 20s. I got a job right out of college and climbed the ladder, going from an assistant position to a director position, all at the same workplace. I even accomplished some pretty amazing things. My personal life exploded in my 30s as my marriage took a turn toward the abusive, and I became a worse and worse employee, eventually agreeing to resign. I got a part-time position after that, but I hadn’t pulled myself out of my tailspin. Then I had a kid and took care of my parents while they died and eventually left my last employer out of shame because I felt like I was failing.

I am now in my early 40s. I went through tons of therapy, went back to school, got a second bachelor’s degree in a completely unrelated field — graduating top of my class with a major department award — and now I’m trying to find a job. I’d like to go to grad school, which tends to be rife with mentorships and placement help, but I don’t have the hands-on work experience I need.

I am deeply ashamed of the past several years (but proud of my recent academic achievements). I know I messed up. And I understand the ways that I messed up. And I’m not trying to make any of it okay. I’m applying for entry-level jobs. I don’t want to ride on my prior work experience. But my years of instability took a toll. Right now, I don’t have any references. And I’m obviously older.

How should I address this period of instability in job interviews? How do I talk about my prior life? And how do I find a job without references? Are there positions that don’t require them these days?