Volunteered for 2 years, but can't get hired permanently!

[Anonymous]

You made a mistake in thinking that someone with 2 years experience was going to be backed 100% by the head of the search team. You have a strong advantage over other entry level workers in this field in that you are a known quantity who they trust and who has done good work for them. However, you may still be behind many candidates who have stronger credentials, whether it is more experience or more training/education. For example, if they found someone who has been working for 10 solid years in this field and has valuable education or training plus experience with larger projects of the same type of work, you just don't stand up to that candidate. However, you would probably fare well against a candidate who has 3-4 years of experience in your field in comparable settings.

In general, your 2 years of volunteer work for the organization evaluate to more than 2 years of experience, because it is known experience that they know applies. however, it is still only 2 years. She told you there were many very qualified candidates, but she was willing to put you in the mix WITH THOSE VERY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES. It means that you'll still be considered even against candidates with more experience and/or education in the field that yourself. That's good.Sometimes those more qualified candidates want a higher salary than the organization can afford and you may still get the position. The head was just trying to keep your expectations in line. If she was more enthusiastic and they chose someone else because they found someone with much more experience than you, you'd feel slighted. She doesn't want that to happen.

So apply and see what happens. If you get an interview you get to respond with the work that you've done, how well it was received and how it helped the organization.

[Anonymous]

Man, she has not worked for ten years....that 2004, SAHM(ie skilled have not kept up), and she is over 50. Most manager will not touch her. She did the right thing by volunteering to get back in to the work force, but it's not likely they are going to hire her for a mid level or above job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Man, she has not worked for ten years....that 2004, SAHM(ie skilled have not kept up), and she is over 50. Most manager will not touch her. She did the right thing by volunteering to get back in to the work force, but it's not likely they are going to hire her for a mid level or above job.

They might, but the moment we she gets a tempered response is the moment when she really needs to make the pitch for herself: she'll save the org time and money because she'll need minimal training, she'll bring experience and org knowledge, and she can address any concerns they might have. As an older worker myself, we are living in an entrepreneurial moment. It would be great if employers looked at our experience and thought that we are must-haves, but instead you need to make the pitch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you know if they only want you for free if you didn't even apply? What response were you expecting when you talked to them that you didnt get? I get that it didnt sound very enthusiastic on their part, but if they really do have a lot of qualified candidates, would you rather they 'lead you on' and then be upset if they hired someone else because they were so enthusiastic about you applying?

I was expecting a very enthusiastic and encouraging response, not "we'll throw you into the mix". That's a real brush off. I would think that my volunteer work would give me a distinct advantage. I thought the head would say, "Great, that's wonderful, and I will do everything I can to advance your candidacy." It's an organization that hires by committee, so she has only so much power. But her endorsement would go a long way. By comparison, her tepid response was really disheartening, and seemed hypocritical since she practically bobs her head off in agreement whenever I make suggestions, and almost always takes and implements them.

Maybe your high opinion of yourself is really off-putting? Does your shoulder hurt from all the back patting? OP, you should have taken the risk and applied. No, in your own words, you have a bad taste in your mouth. Devote your energies elsewhere. Now you're just going to become a disgruntled volunteer that no one will want around because that chip on your shoulder takes up so much damn room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're making a lot of assumptions OP considering you didn't apply/go through the hiring process.

No, I'm not. I spoke with someone who is on the hiring committee. She was very excited that I was interested in the job, and she told me to talk to the head. She thought I'd be a great candidate, but she said I'd never get the job if the head wasn't 100% behind me.

It's this age thing that bothers me. The perception, as an OP stated, is that when you're 50 you're slow, out of it, lack computer skills, etc., is true in some cases. But in this case, I've been, essentially, doing the job. The only reason I can think of, and I've gone over and over this, for the head not offering enthusiastic support for my application, is my age. Even in the meeting with her, she was practically jumping up and down at all the things I said I would do if I were given the job. She took notes, which I'm sure she'll give to the 30something person who gets the job!

If I were a minority (which I'm not, other than female), this would be discriminatory and illegal. But we look aside when older people (ya, 51 is "old") are passed over in the hiring process. Why is that? Why is this OK? Posters say "it's the way it is, get over it." Why? Would you say the same thing if I were black? Hispanic? Handicapped?

If I were a 41 year old SAHM, the head would have endorsed me completely. I'm certain of that, which is why this really, really bugs me.

I seriously think it may be your personality that is holding you back. Not your age. I mean, seriously lady. You go on and on and on in every one of your posts about how amazing your ideas are. Give it a rest. I wouldn't want to work with that either.

[Anonymous]

OP seems to be 15, not 51.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you know if they only want you for free if you didn't even apply? What response were you expecting when you talked to them that you didnt get? I get that it didnt sound very enthusiastic on their part, but if they really do have a lot of qualified candidates, would you rather they 'lead you on' and then be upset if they hired someone else because they were so enthusiastic about you applying?

I was expecting a very enthusiastic and encouraging response, not "we'll throw you into the mix". That's a real brush off. I would think that my volunteer work would give me a distinct advantage. I thought the head would say, "Great, that's wonderful, and I will do everything I can to advance your candidacy." It's an organization that hires by committee, so she has only so much power. But her endorsement would go a long way. By comparison, her tepid response was really disheartening, and seemed hypocritical since she practically bobs her head off in agreement whenever I make suggestions, and almost always takes and implements them.

Unless you can read minds, you have just proven the adage, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. What you really seem to be complaining about is that the head did not say, great, consider yourself hired, don't be put worried that we are about to spend time and money going through the recruitment and evaluation process, because the job is yours without the need for you to compete for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're making a lot of assumptions OP considering you didn't apply/go through the hiring process.

No, I'm not. I spoke with someone who is on the hiring committee. She was very excited that I was interested in the job, and she told me to talk to the head. She thought I'd be a great candidate, but she said I'd never get the job if the head wasn't 100% behind me.

It's this age thing that bothers me. The perception, as an OP stated, is that when you're 50 you're slow, out of it, lack computer skills, etc., is true in some cases. But in this case, I've been, essentially, doing the job. The only reason I can think of, and I've gone over and over this, for the head not offering enthusiastic support for my application, is my age. Even in the meeting with her, she was practically jumping up and down at all the things I said I would do if I were given the job. She took notes, which I'm sure she'll give to the 30something person who gets the job!

If I were a minority (which I'm not, other than female), this would be discriminatory and illegal. But we look aside when older people (ya, 51 is "old") are passed over in the hiring process. Why is that? Why is this OK? Posters say "it's the way it is, get over it." Why? Would you say the same thing if I were black? Hispanic? Handicapped?

If I were a 41 year old SAHM, the head would have endorsed me completely. I'm certain of that, which is why this really, really bugs me.

You are not only making a lot of assumptions for why the person did not seem enthusiastic, you are also making a lot of excuses for why you were not selected for a position to which you did not apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're making a lot of assumptions OP considering you didn't apply/go through the hiring process.

+100

[Anonymous]

One thing we can all agree on is that it's not any type of discrimination if you never applied for the job!

[Anonymous]

OP,

You did not apply. Maybe they thought you were fine volunteering. You have to apply!

[Anonymous]

P.S. I was in a long-term temp assignment and I really, really wanted to work there. I applied for one job and did not get an offer. Several months later, I applied for another job and it is mine. You have to apply! I am over 50.

[Anonymous]

No one to blame but yourself. She was professional; you were/are not. As shown by your refusal to acknowledge the numerous posts explaining how you messed up.

Your age is irrelevant but continue to blame if it that makes you feel better.

[Anonymous]

"to see whether it would make sense for me to apply for the job".

You needed to be far more assertive than this. You needed to apply for the job and state that you are the strongest candidate. Spread the word around that you expect to get the job (I know, I know false optimism). If you didn't get the job, I would quit. Be firm about why you are quitting, but leaving the door open if they want to offer you something else. As a volunteer they are treating you only as well as they think they have to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"to see whether it would make sense for me to apply for the job".

You needed to be far more assertive than this. You needed to apply for the job and state that you are the strongest candidate. Spread the word around that you expect to get the job (I know, I know false optimism). If you didn't get the job, I would quit. Be firm about why you are quitting, but leaving the door open if they want to offer you something else. As a volunteer they are treating you only as well as they think they have to.

I agree with the above. We hire older people, esp. if they are keeping up wigh current trends. They bring a wealth of experience and dedication vs. some of the entitled younger onexs we have hired. You need to sell yourself and at a minimum show enthusiasm and interest in the job.