Comments on: Use Your Age to Your Advantage at Work

By: Mary Ann

Mary Ann — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:16:41 +0000

Hello,
I’ve been in the Technology field since the beginning way back when there were no computers and internet as we know it today. I have been unemployed or semi-employed since 1990 when I was laid off in the prime of my work career. I had steady work as a contractor working through various staffing agencies untill 9/11 when thing started to slow. I have gone back to school and now hold degrees in Information Technology(BS) and Business Administration(Masters)and an Associates degree in Data-processing. The problem for us older workers is one of companies not realizing the loss of knowledge that we have and are willing to pass on to others who may not have the worthwhile to obtain that knowledge on their own. In some cases our knowledge base encompases the whole gamette of knowledge in a particular field. It is a sad commentary when a company will hire a individual who has little or no knowledge on the position the individual was hired for just so they can save money on a salary and managers wonder why nothing can be accomplished on a daily bases. Companies have to rethink their strategy and start taking advantage of the knowledge bases that are out there and just maybe they can get more accomplished and not have to send work offshore to get it done. Its about companies taking advantage of knowledgebases that individuals with that knowledgebase are willing to share. We older workers have a lot to share and work ethics engrained in us to get the job done and done right the first time so that it dosen’t need to be done a second and a third time.
I would like to see all the older workers consulted to take advantage of their individual knowledgebases on a full or parttime bases so that we can become again the industrial power that we were once were and to teach our young people that it is to everyones advantage to get good or the best educations whether it be from a credited school or an individual that has worked and has the knowledge of what it takes to do a job right the first time and not waste the time of the employer.

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:00:46 +0000

Well…I was co-owner of a retail showroom for 11 years; we had to sell at a loss. I have had no work sense Sep. 08. I dare not even count the number of applications I have sent, best not to be depressed. I would love to consult others on starting a business, but I am from a rural area, I have a degree in experience, firsthand experience, I have some college, I have had a real estate license, an accountant, tax management, planning organizer, a procedure and accounting analyst, and owned other business. You would think some company would love to hire me; oh darn—did I mention I am only 62 years old. Oh…well.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 04:04:25 +0000

When I was let go in Dec ‘09 due to a “department restructure” only two of us (both women over 50) were affected. We had been there longer, and therefore made more money than more recently hired, younger, and willing to work for less colleagues. Not sure if I would have forfeited my severance to pursue an age-discrimination legal battle, unlikely to be successful. (To be honest, an employer can “discriminate” simply because they don’t like your tie, or your hair.) Prooving it is another matter. In the current economy I might have accepted a reduction in income in order to keep my job, but it was never offered.

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:01:31 +0000

I was part of an airline cost reduction program. It was not at all age related. I was one of their top producers (at age 51). I actually was promoted at age 49. They outsourced our jobs to another airline (who owns a minority stake in the company I worked for). The results of the outsourcing: a total failure….Will they cancel their contract and recall us? It’s not going to happen. Their revenues are down by over 50% but we are off their payroll and that’s what they were looking for. I have been unemployed for 4 months and have applied for approx. 50 positions. My resume only shows my past 10 years of work experience, which I thought used to be standard. I was hugely successful in each career endeavor (3 total), always a ‘top employee’. I feel the anger of anybody in their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. I am starting to avoid filling out any on-line applications that ask for your date of birth as I know that is an automatic disqualification, period. I have a friend in HR who said they are instructed to check your address off of your resume (via the white pages look up) and check your age (or by any means possible). These employers are not kidding, they do NOT want to hire anybody over 40. There was a famous memo several years ago (IBM, I think) where the a managing director advised HR not to hire anyone over 37!! I easily look like I am in my mid to late 30’s, so maybe my new strategy will be going door to door with my resume. I am already tired of being unemployed, but I am afraid I might have to get used to the idea. I am in the process of selling my house so I can relocate to a more favorable area (if such a place exists). Major problem #2: can I sell my house? Age discrimination is certainly rampant, but the economy is what is really killing us all. I am networking with everybody I know, the answer is always the same: hiring freeze. My only option is to get on with a foreign based airline/company. They have an entirely different attitude towards age and experience. The American standard of youth=success is absurd.

By: Paul L

Paul L — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:02:53 +0000

In the past, US companies supplied the world with eighty percent of goods, services and technology. The only competition was between companies within our own borders. Today, we are in competition with the world. Companies are looking for the best and the brightest to stay competative. That is the younger generation.

I am like most of the people that have made post on this site, sixty-three years old, a BS in Mechanical Engineering and have been laid off.

We are not the only nation that is experiencing these problems, the business world is changing at the speed at which technology is developed, very fast. Unless your skill set contributed DIRECTLY to the sustainability, growth and profits for the organization, like me, you were laid off. I have numerous diplomas and certificates from in-house training and continuous education, but so does everyone. I received above average performance evaluations, but so has everyone. I have read and heard comments like get a new suit, dye your hair and so forth. My comment to that is “you can put lipstick on a pig, but it is still a pig”. You must have something to offer that will promote sustainability, growth and profits to return to the job market successfully.

Most older professionals will not re-enter the job market at the same salary and with the same responsibilities that you had when you were laid off. You will be working for a younger supervisor that has limited experience and different work ethics, but that is what happens when you haven’t made it into upper management during your twenty to forty years on the job.

When companies laid me, and you, off they looked at several things. Do we need this person every day to reach our goals, has this person contributed on a continuous basis towards the companies goals during their employment, this is a great employee so is there a slot we could move them to and justify the salary, will we need them in a few years or could we bring in a person with the same skill set, but with less experience and lower salary and succeed in reaching our goals. The decision was made and here we are.

Some will re-enter the job market and land that dream job, most will not. The job market has changed dramatically over the last twenty to thirty years and unless you have changed with it, it will be very hard to return to a great job.

The article says consulting is great to get into. This is true, I do it. My fee is one-hundred dollars and hour plus expenses. I am usually on site one to two weeks. When you go into consulting you had better be an expert in your field. Companies do not mind paying the fee, but tangible results are expected immediately. You had better be ready to work sixteen hour days, work with all types of management styles, personalities and education levels. You must be able to keep a smile on your face even in the most adverse circumstances. You need to have all the tools of the trade, software and hardware, to get the job done. If your job is not completed on time and rendering tangible results, it will get out and your consulting career will end.

Good luck people, the business world is tough and getting tougher.

By: margo

margo — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:48:22 +0000

I too was laid off when I was 60, but about 100 other workers were laid off also. It was just the economy–there was no business. My salvation was the temp agencies. I was not afraid of stating my age, as I am proud of my age. I right away found several temp jobs, and at each one they offered me a full time position because they could see that I was a good worker. I finally accepted one, but I am going to retire at 62.
I am just glad that I am old and don’t have many expenses. I really feel sorry for the younger people who are trying to support a family in this economy. More power to them.

By: Ruby

Ruby — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:03:00 +0000

Wow, what an eye-opener, to read all these comments. I am in the same boat as most everybody else on this site is. I was Laid-off after 10 1/2 yrs from a Corporate organization. And yes, I was 59 yrs at that time!!!! And yes, my Severance Pkg also depended upon signing a “waiver”.
Age discrimination is very rampant. We are being interviewed by “youngsters” who are texting/FaceBook-ing during our interviews!!!! No manners, no repect, no recognition is shown for our experience. Yes, I want to work, but am totally over-qualified!!!!!!!!!! 3 yrs now without a job, despite having gone into the 4th career of my life. I will still persevere because I believe in myself & my skills. :)
Thanks for this forum.

By: Sassafras

Sassafras — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:04:58 +0000

UNDERSTAND FIRST…that President Obama is not the reason for our economy failing. This mess started when the Bushes were handling things. Notice to America: unless you were shipping petroleum or working in the oil industry, companies dont have the money to hire experienced workers. Secondly, if you dont have a master’s degree, dont expect job security. Thirdly, if you dont network long enough to make friends with the companies who are hiring, you wont get the jobs. Find the people who you went to school with or get the friends of your family’s to get a “hook up.” People are so paranoid about what a credit report might say, but forget that foreclosures, repossessions, and outdated credit card payments are from the people who at the time had good credit and could get approval. Now, because of our economy people have lost the jobs which were paying for those things. Which have caused a rebound effect…companies cant get paid and cant afford to pay anyone. They look for the cheapest ways to produce their product and ultimately look to other countries. The only way out of this mess is to start your own business where you can do the work yourself and collect all of the payments and pay for your own healthcare. I am a nurse who is 40, slightly overweight, who worked agency most of my life and recently have a couple of unpaid hospital bills. Imagine what type of problem I look like to a potential employer. My only other advantage is to get more technical training and find a position in healthcare people dont like very much or where people kept their jobs a long time are about to retire. There are so many nurses who recently havent applied to renew their licenses because of the stress, their ages, and the fact that healthcare hiring managers are fresh out of school and helping their classmates.

By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 07:09:56 +0000

I work in oil sector and is lucky to survive onslaught of younger generation. The younger generation think businesses run on Excel spreadsheets and numbers rather having hands on experience. I have seen younger people giving solutions to problems based on older workers experience, eventhough they do not have clue about it. Younger people are good in playing offce politics so beware of them

By: JadeStar

JadeStar — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:12:51 +0000

Sage (and others),
Even if younger HR people and younger managers are making the decisions, the purpose of the article is to give older workers *angles to make the sale*, so that you can directly counter the myths on your resume, in your letters, and at your job interview, without directly mentioning them.

The article, did, however, fail to mention that many older job applicants, especially those who have recently lost a long-tenured position, fail to act competitively in the job market, assuming their credentials will carry them. While perhaps your credentials *should* carry you, presentation is coming to mean ever more to managers who are seeing an increasing number of applications cross their desks. The age/presentation correlation alone might make it seem like you’re being passed over for age — so fix up those documents, or hire someone else to do it!! Resume conventions change like the wind these days, so old-style resumes give the game away even more than the list of experience! Fix it!
And get a new blazer for the interview while you’re at it – that one you haven’t worn since your kids graduated college isn’t going to cut it!