The Lament of the Older Worker

For months I’ve concentrated on the job seeker. Today I would like to turn to the organization’s that those people are hoping to work for. Last night I gave an Interviewing training session to a group of people. It turns out that everyone there was older than 50. Since it was a small group, I let the conversation turn to the questions and concerns that many, if not most, older job seekers have.

Questions like this came up:
1. Why bring me in for an interview if you are hiring internally? (Is it because I am too old?)
2. I have good, solid skills and I make a good impression. Why don’t you seem interested when you interview me? (Is it because I am too old?)
3. You aren’t interviewing me. Why don’t you respond to my resume? (Is it because I am too old?)
4. What is it about my resume that turns you off? (Is it because I am too old?)
5. You have asked for my salary requirements and then you don’t respond to me. Why? (Is it because I am too old?)

You get the picture. These people are discouraged. They have kid’s in college and mortgages to pay. They can’t decide which credit card bill to pay this month and many have lost their health benefits and can’t afford COBRA. Let me tell you something that these folks wish that they could scream from the top of the mountain, “Give me a chance! I will not leave you when the economy turns around!” Of course they would like to work at something that they love, are skilled in and have a passion for, but they aren’t being given that chance to soar.

I heard it at an anniversary party this past weekend. I was talking to a man I haven’t seen in years and he confessed his frustration with the lack of employment possibilities for the 50+ worker. He said, “I am a 50 year old male and I have become face in the crowd. There are lots of other guys walking around with the same problem. I am working two part time jobs to make ends meet. I’m not looking to rush into another aggressive work environment. I just want to work, make a decent wage. What do I have to do?"

I can’t answer him or anyone with the same concerns. Their resumes look pretty good, their interview skills are fine. I just don’t get it. Maybe they aren’t working the networking angle.

Call me an idealist but quite frankly, I think it’s rude that corporations don’t respond to people. I realize that they have a lot going on and way too many people responding to one job posting. I think they are using the economy as an excuse. I also think requesting salary requirements and then not responding to the appplicant is just as inexcusable. The applicant is left wondering if their resume was poorly written or if their skill set wasn’t right. There is no reason to ignore the people who took the time to respond to the job postings. It sure seems like a waste of heartache ( and talent) to me.

Networking and the Older Worker

The government has a definition for people who have given up on the job search. They call it the "discouraged" worker. Basically, these folks have given up, don't appear to be looking and have dropped off the unemployment radar. Many of the discouraged are the older job seekers, those in their fifties and sixties. These people cite a number of reasons for giving up; lack of training or education, intimidation, competition with younger people, younger interviewer’s who don't or won't give them the time of day, too tired, etc. I won't deny that there is discrimination out there - age or otherwise. What I do have a problem with is that many of the discouraged employee's send blast resumes out and then sit back waiting for the phone to ring.

It appears that a lot people sit and wait. They are not involved with any other stimulating activities during the day or evening that can help them in their search. Networking is a term that they have heard of but don’t understand the value of. When told of the low percentage rate of jobs found on the internet, they nod. When told that the statistics show that between 60% to 90 % of jobs are found through networking they get it.

Still, many people, especially women just don’t do it.
I think it is a Baby Boomer-related thing. This generation wasn’t brought up to talk about themselves and it is every uncomfortable for them to relate that they are out of a job to anyone but maybe close friends or family. But they should. The same way that they blast out their resumes, they should blast out their unemployment status.

WHO: Friends, family, past business associates, neighbors, hair dresser, barber, doctor, pizza guy, banker. The list goes on.

HOW: Tell them that you are looking for work. It can go something like this. “I was recently displaced from my job and I am looking for work as an administrator. If you hear of anything or know of someone who is looking for an administrator, please let me know.” If you are speaking with a professional organization, your approach should be more structured and with more detail.

WHERE: Birthday, anniversary, holiday, retirement, wedding parties and other types of parties. Professional groups, support groups, church or other religious group meetings, Garden Club, Women’s Club, Rotary Club, Chamber meetings, choir practice, art class, Pilates class, etc.

It is hard to get motivated after being discouraged. It helps to get out of the house and talk with other people and do something and there are many volunteer groups that will welcome new members. The United Way has lists of groups that need help. Local hospitals need volunteers and there are usually lists of groups recruiting for volunteers in the newspaper. The unemployed should find an interest, volunteer and just get out there. Not only will they develop some extra skills, they will also socialize, expand their network and maybe land a new job. It can't hurt.

Unemployment is 10% - Keep Networking

The October unemployment numbers were announced this past Friday and now we are no longer reaching towards 10%, we have bumped smack right into it. It is taking much longer to find a job and to borrow a line from my realtor friends; it is a seller's or company's market. What can you do now, this minute to ward off the anxious feelings? Develop a quickie speech on who you are and what you want. It is kind of like an Elevator Speech but shorter. You never know where you are going to need to use it and if you don't have one, you may blow your chances. Seriously, because you never know who knows someone who is hiring.

Last night my husband and I went to a surprise 50th birthday party. There were over 100 people there. Who thinks about networking at a birthday party? You should.

Most of the people at the party were my husband's friends and acquaintances and I may have met them a time or two. While waiting for the birthday girl to arrive, the conversation turned to small talk such as the venue, the weather, families and jobs. I had a couple of people ask me what I do for a living. What better place than to give them a quick overview of my business?
“My position was eliminated about a year ago. Since then, I opened a company and I specialize in job search skills and resume writing." That is the first step in networking.

The holidays are coming and with it bring cookie exchanges, neighborhood parties and holiday gatherings. Brush up on your networking skills and practice, practice, practice a few sentences about you. Include what you are looking for and your appreciation should the neighbor/friend hear of anything or know of anyone to contact.

Don't forget football tailgates, retirement parties and any other gathering. Make any gathering an opportunity for you to network. Just don't go nuts pushing yourself at people. No one likes that. What they do like is to help someone out.