Laid off at 55

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's a positive story:

I just got a new job at age 58 and only went on one interview! I'm a female in the communications field who had been at my company for a long time. Financially, things weren't doing great, with several years of flat pay and eliminated retirement match, but I didn't think I'd be laid off.

But given my "advanced age," from a millennial doing the hiring perspective at any rate, I decided to look around because I thought it would take a long time to find something, or I never would.

I applied to a total of eight jobs starting in August, including three at AARP that I felt I was a really good match for. Got two rejection emails, never heard from the others (including AARP) and interviewed at the one I was eventually hired for.

I combed through a lot of listings on LinkedIn, Indeed and some sites in my field.

Hoping the advice on here is helpful for your dad, and he finds something soon.

It sounds like it can be easier for older women to get work then men, I wonder why that would be?

Business get the statistics of employing more females without having to deal with maternity leave issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's a positive story:

I just got a new job at age 58 and only went on one interview! I'm a female in the communications field who had been at my company for a long time. Financially, things weren't doing great, with several years of flat pay and eliminated retirement match, but I didn't think I'd be laid off.

But given my "advanced age," from a millennial doing the hiring perspective at any rate, I decided to look around because I thought it would take a long time to find something, or I never would.

I applied to a total of eight jobs starting in August, including three at AARP that I felt I was a really good match for. Got two rejection emails, never heard from the others (including AARP) and interviewed at the one I was eventually hired for.

I combed through a lot of listings on LinkedIn, Indeed and some sites in my field.

Hoping the advice on here is helpful for your dad, and he finds something soon.

It sounds like it can be easier for older women to get work then men, I wonder why that would be?

Business get the statistics of employing more females without having to deal with maternity leave issues.

OMFG!

[Anonymous]

Sorry OP, that's terrible. I would suggest that he try to do some consulting while he is applying for jobs. It will also serve as networking. Even if he doesn't charge much for the consulting, it's good for his resume and for relationships with new possible employers. Most people who get hired at my company start as consultants.

[Anonymous]

Would like to thank the people on this thread who posted good ideas and success stories. I am early 60s, love what I do, have good credentials (CPA, two master's degrees), good reputation and am paranoid that every time I apply for a job, a 29 year old with nerd glasses sitting in a beanbag seat is laughing at me. A lot of 50+'ers have a ton to offer,

[Anonymous]

OP - I am sorry that your father was laid off. As a 44 yo, I am seriously considering launching my own business offering my services because I can diversify my client base as well as have more time to invest my time and limited money in building additional income streams.

[Anonymous]

Happened to my dad around that age, and similar circumstances (low cost of living area with limited senior level job opportunities). He got let go because of a merger and they cleaned out all the senior level staff in his office and had the mid-levels report into the corporate office of the company that bought them (which was outside the area). My dad found a job pretty quickly in local government for about 1/3 of his salary. He accepted to avoid a gap in his resume, but continued to look. About 16 months later, a position opened up at his former salary/level at one of the only other big companies in his town. He took that job and ended up finishing his career there (retiring at 65). In small towns, networking is even more important. When that job opened up, the hiring person knew my dad from golfing and called him directly to see if he wanted the position.

[Anonymous]

Can your dad look for a job with city/county/state govt? Pay might be less but it would be steady and have good benefits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Can your dad look for a job with city/county/state govt? Pay might be less but it would be steady and have good benefits.

Maybe states have good benefits but the feds benefits kind of suck compared to the private sector benefits I had from before I got laid off at 50.
My fed benefits have less vacation days, lower 401K match, higher medical monthly premiums... + pay is less...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry. This is a bad situation. Can he retire and then maybe lecture at a community college or such?

Why would he do this? That seems like the worst thing to do financially. And it's not easy to lecture at a CC (besides crap pay and no benefits).

The dad doesn’t have a masters degree. That’s the minimum requirement to lecture at a community college.

[Anonymous]

Contact google or amazon or Facebook

They have job openings , One problem is average age is 29

Would that be a problem?

I am sure they are fair i their hiring. Democrats love these firms

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Actually, severance package is generous. You get two weeks severance for every year worked there, so he’ll get 36 weeks.

Oh, that is good. That must be a comfort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Can your dad look for a job with city/county/state govt? Pay might be less but it would be steady and have good benefits.

Maybe states have good benefits but the feds benefits kind of suck compared to the private sector benefits I had from before I got laid off at 50.
My fed benefits have less vacation days, lower 401K match, higher medical monthly premiums... + pay is less...

Yeah but the job security... you should know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remove dates from CV

hm..maybe that's my problem. I'm 48. But, then how do you show what years you've worked where if you remove the dates?

You drop things over 10 years old.

But if someone can still Google your age, how does it help?

That website that posts your age, political affiliation, etc... will take down your info if you contact them.

Which website?

[Anonymous]

You guys!!!! My dad got a job, just a different role, at the same company! His boss reached out with a few openings and he applied for all of them, interviewed on Wednesday, and got offered the job today! It is very similar in pay and a great fit for him.

This truly demonstrates the important if never burning bridges IMO. He built an incredible network of co-workers and friends over the years and to a person, they reached out to the hiring managers for his new role. As he put it, always remain above the fray and good things can happen.

Thank you, all, for your advice! I know there was a lot of thought in these posts and I appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

Wow, great news OP!