Job search in my mid 50s

[Anonymous]

I got laid off at 50 and found it tougher than I expected to get another job. My experience was that job boards, corporate websites, recruiter websites and USAJOBs were all a complete waste of time (about 9 months for me). Those platforms are literally not designed for people like us.

I was let go along with some other middle aged folks and each of us got jobs by connecting through someone we knew before our layoff. It's tough. The world has over a billion English speakers and probably a million of them can do my work for a cheaper price than me ($90k). Employers know this and given the choice between a 28 year old and me, I know that youth will win every time.

Hang in there and keep talking to people whenever you can. Always be learning and connecting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:About to dive back in. I’m dreading the months ahead but trying my best to keep optimism afloat. It feels very lonely in my bubble. Help!

I had one 5-person panel interview at a friends company. It’s a good company with a good mission. I was older than the interviewers by several years and am much more experienced in our field. I thought I was diplomatic and calm, responded thoughtfully and thoroughly, and was friendly to everyone. I did my research and asked questions and avoided giving strong opinions. I could tell that they didn’t like me — and the feeling was mutual — but I still made a strong effort throughout the process. Word got back to my friend that I came off as a know-it-all and they didn’t trust that I’d stick around long if I got the position because I was “obviously used to being the boss”. So, obviously didn’t get a call-back. Wasn’t a good culture fit, so I’m not fully crushed. But I still need a job and failed this attempt miserably.

Any helpful hints or suggestions from fellow “older” job seekers? BTDT stories?

Any interviewers out there have recommendations? Anyone who’s successfully navigated this process? What to do, what to avoid?

OP - I'm highlighting two parts of your post that seem to correlate. Not to be rude, but you sound arrogant - highlighting your relative seniority and emphasizing that you were "diplomatic and calm". It's a little weird to come out of an interview and congratulate yourself for staying diplomatic and calm. Like, what was the alternative?

Either way, it's not surprising that the panel had the feedback you did.

Finding a new job is a process. Sometimes the long poll in the tent is finding the right opportunity, sometimes it's being prepared for the interview, sometimes it's the overall market. In your case, it sounds like it'll be instilling a sense of humility in you. I'd encourage you to seek a way to display the right balance between confidence and competence. Ask a trusted friend for a practice interview. Work on your example stories you plan to share and refine the tone of your voice to be less commanding. All these little things will help improve how you come across.

Hope this helps.

NP. This response reeks of judgment and arrogance. I think the PP is trying to be helpful(?), but the tone is one of superiority - all while lecturing you on why you came across as superior and arrogant.

I'm the PP. You're obviously welcome to your interpretation, but it's important for the OP to understand how they come across.

Their job search journey ends when they're offered a position. That won't happen if they swagger into each interview and (either consciously or inadvertently) keep beating the interviewers over the head with their superiority. So s/he will either need to figure this out on their own or be told. Their friend actually did tell them, but they seem unwilling to accept it. So if I, an anonymous voice online, can help them accelerate their realization with a potentially poorly worded post, I'm happy to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you female?

Young (opinionated and/or insecure) people don't find older, composed females who know their stuff likeable. Just my opinion.

Agreed, too together for the much-more laid back younger people.

They knew she would be better at their jobs than they are, so of course they wouldn't hire her -- they'd be out of a job within 6 months.

[Anonymous]

Civil service has much less age discrimination than the private sector, although age discrimination can appear in any environment. If you have any Fed friends or colleagues or contacts, circulate a resume and ask if they know of anyone who needs your skills.

It would be wise to tell them upfront that you want to be a long-term Fed (if that is true), so they do not think you are looking for an interim job. Fed pay generally is lower, but after probation period, most Federal employment is stable.

[Anonymous]

It seems like that was just too low a level position for you. This is why it is difficult to get a job when you are older. You can't go back down the ladder very easily because you often actually are a better candidate for the job of the person interviewing you. Make sure you are interviewing for a position that is lateral or higher unless a large percentage of the group you are moving into is also older (generally, more secure in field, less threatened).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t apply non profits or govt jobs when unemployed they are the worst. Judgy, low pay mean people. The interview process drags in for weeks and months. All while your days unemployed pile up.

Strongly disagree. Less ageism in Federal civil service jobs than most other places. Fed pay nearly always is below market, but one gets stability. And with any job application, it can take a long time, so keep looking even if you are “in the hiring process” with someplace.

[Anonymous]

Blind applications to USAjobs.gov has never worked for me. I have been in and out of civil service a few times now.

Working my Fed contacts has worked — and usually they direct me to apply to a specific job at their organization — or they have used “Direct Hire” authority from OPM where USAjobs.gov is not part of the process and job is not advertised. We are doing Direct Hire right now to convert an on-site contractor to a GS-15.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you female?

Young (opinionated and/or insecure) people don't find older, composed females who know their stuff likeable. Just my opinion.

This.

Not OP but I've had this problem my entire career. I'm female and smarter than average (no genius) with a really good memory (which is different from IQ but people do notice it). More mainstream people just don't like that. Whenever I talk more or encourage debate about ideas, it usually goes worse for me. Bland accommodating works best. If guys give feedback on personal style, they usually respond best to displays of humility. I've experimented over 30 years now through career ups and downs. I work in a corporate job that tolerates young men mouthing off about anything that passes through their brains.

I'm naturally cheerful, self effacing and a bit of a people pleaser. I always feel like I don't do well on interviews, but I'm offered the job about 75% of the time (these are for IC/analyst roles). People comment after that they didn't realize how smart I am. I think it proves people just hire average, agreeable candidates. Doubly so if they are women.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems like that was just too low a level position for you. This is why it is difficult to get a job when you are older. You can't go back down the ladder very easily because you often actually are a better candidate for the job of the person interviewing you. Make sure you are interviewing for a position that is lateral or higher unless a large percentage of the group you are moving into is also older (generally, more secure in field, less threatened).

I agree with this. You can own your experience and strengths in such interviews. I know it's tough right now. But if the interviewers are younger AND less experienced, they will not be able to appreciate what you bring to the table. They just see older lady/mom and don't want to deal with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t apply non profits or govt jobs when unemployed they are the worst. Judgy, low pay mean people. The interview process drags in for weeks and months. All while your days unemployed pile up.

Strongly disagree. Less ageism in Federal civil service jobs than most other places. Fed pay nearly always is below market, but one gets stability. And with any job application, it can take a long time, so keep looking even if you are “in the hiring process” with someplace.

A long time is the issue. When unemployed even one month is forever.