Having a large team, a voice in major meetings, and strong relationships with business partners, I comfortably earned VND100 million (US$3,830) a month as a director despite lacking technical knowledge.
I am 35 years old and currently unemployed. That may not sound too unusual in today’s tough economic climate and fiercely competitive job market. But what makes it hard for me to face the music is that I once held a role many would see as successful, stable, and even enviable: director of planning at a construction company.
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I used to think so too. With a high salary, a large team of subordinates, and influence in key decisions, I felt secure in my comfort zone. I managed work and led people based on experience and instinct while relying on soft skills to cover what I lacked in technical understanding.
But I forgot something important. The world keeps changing, and people who do not adapt eventually get left behind. I was never adept in my field of expertise. I did not fully understand construction techniques, was unfamiliar with software used in the field and lacked a strong grasp of project finance. My strengths were only macro-level planning and people management yet I never made an effort to deepen my knowledge beyond routine meetings and routine conversations.
I prided myself on being “good at managing people,” thinking everything would be fine as long as I gave the right instructions to my subordinates. But I seriously underestimated the importance of self-management and personal development. Then the company was restructured. My division was downsized and I
lost my job
.
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I expected someone in senior management to step in and keep me, given my experience, but no one did. I thought I could easily find a similar position elsewhere, but I was wrong. Companies do not want a manager who only knows how to oversee people without any technical capability.
I suddenly had no idea how to start over. At 35 and having been in a director role, I not only lost my job but also my sense of direction, self-worth, and confidence.
In the early days of unemployment, I could not bring myself to go on social media. I avoided people. I struggled to talk to my wife and children without feeling ashamed. I am writing this now to remind myself that no one is indispensable in the corporate world.
Do not assume your past achievements or former connections will always protect you. If you are in your 30s and leading a team, but do not fully understand the work they do, start learning again while you still have the time and opportunity.
Being unemployed at 35
is not the end of my career as I will not allow myself to give up. But this is the clearest wake-up call I have ever had, and one that others in similar situations should not ignore.
*The opinion was translated into English with the assistance of AI. Readers’ views are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress’ viewpoints.
