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Posted by: Virginia Wiedling On: 2/9/2012 9:01:58 AM
I thought the article was right on. I feel it helped me to get back on focus as I have to admit, I was feeling exactly the way you described. So that did make me feel better. I know it is a numbers game and I can't give up.Thank you for sharing that information. Have a great day.
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Posted by: Terry Gunderson
Today went to a job fair, networking. Then I decided to make a cold call on a job I interviewed 7 months ago. Found out I did not do anything wrong, I just wasn't choosen! I took it personally back then. I am going to make more interview call back appearances. I am normally a shy person, but I'm about to lose everything soon
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Posted by: Celia Johnson
I think your tips were right on and better yet was to read all the different comments on how other people are dealing with this unemployment situation that this country is in. It made me feel not so alone and that I was not the only one having such a difficult time finding employment.
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Posted by: Drew
If there's one thing I can't stand it's the networking for networking's sake. Now don't get me wrong I'm not shy by any measure and am quite engaging, but I literally detest those types of meetings because I feel they are disingenuous and are forced. I hail from the public relations and marketing communications but feel you almost have to take it to that level before you can even be considered, and it's so ironic that you have to resort, in some cases to doing things that go against your very being, all in the name of landing a job. I prefer meeting with someone because you genuinely want to meet and care what they have to say. Perhaps I'm just jaded a bit but I feel my stomach crawl when you see people at these networking gatherings and are just downright pretentious.
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Posted by: Michael Kissel
Unfortunately the job websites either don't provide contact information for follow up, state emphatically that they do not accept follow up calls, or when I do attempt to follow up, I'm told they don't accept follow up calls. ?I have landed a few interviews through networking at the professional organization meetings which I continue to attend. ?However, I'm finding that companies often have people already in mind for available positions, but I suppose they feel obligated to post those openings anyway. ?I am also finding that since people are desperate for work, companies are offering lower salaries with a few exceptions. ?Many interviewers keep reminding me how competitive the job market is and they are often demeaning in the way they treat those of us who are looking for work. ?Several times I've had to bite my tongue and "suck it up" when subjected to such treatment.
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Posted by: Edna Grothem
All of this was very helpful. I have a huge problem with self esteem. Every failed interview makes me feel like a fraud even though I have an advanced degree and 30+years of experience.What you said about not taking it personally helped me to get some perspective.
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Posted by: Tonya B
I agree that many of these sites for job searches are inefficient as stated in an earlier post; as well I agree that education gives no guarantee of a well paying job future for the aging generation of workers. It does increase the odds of success though but at what cost? It is huge student loan debts, 800 billion nationally stated on the news recently. The real problem is not the worker or the hiring manager. Corporate America has forgotten the people that made them; we have far less jobs than now and more of them are heading oversea's. Why? Try to find an American made product in the stores these days. We buy all foreign goods and wonder where the jobs went. Our country has sold us out, lied to us, and as a result we are jobless. Better learn to garden and can your goods when you can. Soon we will be the third world country that is starving to death. Our forefathers would be so ashamed if they could see the anti-trust laws broken and our country back on it's knees as a whole.
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Posted by: Teck M.
This article is very informative. I also have been out of work since 2008. I've done everything I can think of to land a job, including networking with friends and family. I recently interviewed at my brother's company for an admin position. After sending thank-you emails as well as delivering written thank-you notes and then touching base a couple of times to see where they were in the process, I received a "thanks but no-thanks" call. I know they had over 700 applications for that one position, even receiving resumes from former managers and executives. I like Janet Wooten's idea of us starting our own company and employing people who are not ready for the rocking chair. If we did that, wouldn't we have the most amazing employees in the world? I would hire all of you, if I could. Please don't give up.
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Posted by: Dale M.
It seems the main focus on these job search web sites is to get the job seeker to go back to school. Going into debt to get a degree in worthlessness is foolish. For someone in their 50's going into debt for a worthless degree is an act of desperation.
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Posted by: Latoya S.
I just came into the country through migration and I never believed that it would be so hard to land a job. Your suggestions however, are very good and I am going to college to further my education.
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Posted by: Tammi H.
I returned to school, after being laid off in 2003, and spent 6 years in school trying to find ways to increase my marketability over classmates. Along the way I worked part time in jobs that weren't a part of my career and now feel that they inhibit my ability to be taken seriously for the job I am applying for. Also, the only jobs I seem to find are highly competitive which makes it especially hard for entry level to get any experience. I'm not young like my classmates and have bills to pay now, not when the economy turns around so I have to work meaningless jobs I'm overqualified for. Does anyone have any advice about how to get employers to look at your education and accomplishments instead of work history that has nothing to do with your career?
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Posted by: Mrs. Marie
I am becoming quite disenchanted with using the various online clearing-house job boards. You apply for job X and job Y along with hundreds of others ... thereby instantly putting yourself in direct competition with those other applicants. Terribly inefficient system.
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Posted by: Mike Evaristo
Yup, yup. Heard it all before. Oh, and now another respected expert! Annemarie Segaric. A career change coach, motivational speaker, and author. Where do these people find these titles? I agree with the post George Manes left. THIS puts it right where it hits!
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Posted by: Luann Schneider
I have been out of work for 2 years after working for Wells Fargo for 30 Years. I have not found a job yet. Help!
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Posted by: unique
I appreciate the article because I've been laid off since 2008. After 192 job applications and only three responses you can become very depressed. The articles helped me to redirect my emotions and see the big picture. I've tried the networking, only to not be successful. I'll try again without the negative thoughts. Thanks for the insight.
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Posted by: Janet Wooten
The article is good, but how in the world do I even get an interview, much less ask for feedback. I can relate to the person who said, "too young to retire, too old to hire." Perhaps, we who are older should band together to start our own businesses, employing those like ourselves are aren't ready for the rocking chair, no matter what society tries to tell us.
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Posted by: Betsy
It does not help me to call friends and family about jobs, they do not know of any leads either. I am not sure what else you mean by networking?
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Posted by: Tony
I was an unemployed accoutant for over four months until I landed a job paying 7K less. The key here is don't give up. Keep plugging away. I was fortunate to have over 7 interviews before I landed the job, and I believe that my cover letter got those interviews. Provide questions in your cover letter that your resume presents. For example if you had over three jobs in five years, provide an explanation as to why you left so that hiring managers do not label you a job hunter. Provide projects attempted and completed. Hope this works, it certainly worked for me!!
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Posted by: Pinky P.
I enjoyed reading ALL the respones that were written by people who are out of work, and I agree with them all. It is a hard and competitive job market out there right now, but we have to remain positive and take the initiative to get results. Young or old, someone has to hire you because the young people will not last long because they are lazy now more than ever because jobs require too much from them nowaday and while the old people have the experience and dependability to work they are probably ready to retire and have had enough of working throughout their years, so let us remain positive thru these hard and difficult times of seeking out the job we want. Good luck to all including myself!!
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Posted by: Gwen H.
Thanks, from time to time I get discouraged. These comments let me know that I am not alone and this all is par for the course. Thank you to everyone who took the time to comment...it really helps keep me motivated.
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Posted by: Robert C
I certainly agree with many of my fellow job seekers-article offers great advice (which I'm following most ideas), but still having difficulties landing THE job I want and know I'm more than qualified for. Having had over 14 years experience as manager in the hotel/hospitality field in a primarily "tourist driven" large western city-you would think any small to moderate sized hotel would be eager to have me on board here in the Midwest. Apparently that is not the case thus far. I have even tried making it personal by walking in "cold" to MANY prospective employers with resume in hand dressed to impress(like everyone did back in the day). All I get is "just go to www._____ to apply", "we generally don't take resumes in person", etc. I believe the problem is we are so disconnected as a people with the good 'ol person to person interaction. Seems the days that a potential candidate that presents themselves professionally, looks the hiring manager in the eye and personally hands their app and/or resume to them-are long gone. That used to be the way an employer could "weed out" the good from the bad-just by the way the candidate presented themselves, showed effort, took initiative and showcased their personality in that brief (but usually effective) encounter with the employer. I say to all (myself included) that we must remain positive and try-as hard as it seems at times-to stay true to yourself. As the article noted, we can't blame ourselves-it's a tough,cold and competitive job market out there right now. Yes...I too feel the younger less experienced applicants are most likely the ones ending up landing the gig-but persistence will hopefully pay off because opportunity certainly will NOT be knocking at OUR doors so we must get going and start applying and networking and asking friends/family, and so on...eventually we will prevail by knocking on THEIR doors-they open-and we finally getting our foot in it! Best of luck to all!!Thanks!
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Posted by: Gary Veidt
Good article
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Posted by: Cheryll Kavapalu
I hemmed and hawed all night after receiving yet another thank you but no thank you letter yesterday. Thanks to your article I sent the interviewer an email this morning and requested feedback on my interview. I have never been out of a job before and this is a difficult process so these hints are very helpful. Thank you
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Posted by: D. Nemchick
A well intentioned article, however, I see it as a bit short-sighted; especially items 1 and 2. Having been in job search mode for over 19 months it is very difficult to remain objective and upbeat when you don't even get a response (let alone an interview) for a job posting for which you are 100% qualified. I'd respectfully request the author to publish another article detailing what "next best actions" we (who are experienced and over 50) should be focusing on taking to get responses and interviews. The plain truth of the matter is that there probably aren't any other things we can do, as suggested in item #1. Regarding item #2, once again it sounds good, however I have yet to find any employer who will actually give me any useful feedback. Rather what I constantly hear is "your resume is fine" or "we think you're totally qualified". In the end they decide to "persue other candidates", which giving me any futher specifics. You can't improve what you're doing if no one will tell you what needs to be improved. The reality is there just too many well qualified candidates for every open job out there. With so many candidates to pick from, job seekers are at a severe disadvantage, and even doing everything the "experts" advise, doesn't guarantee success.
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Posted by: Jeri
Though your article was uplifting my job hunting experiences have been hard. Embarrassing as it was after a year of networking, searching, applying for different positions I resorted to asking a few acquaintances for help, they both came through for me. One of the job referrals had a talent acquisition person call me to see where I thought I could apply my skills, I found the phone interview to be difficult because you don't know what they are really going to subscribe to the HR person on your behalf and there was not a specific position open they could talk about unfortunately, but they may email me with something that might fit my talents in the future. I felt this was just a way to go through the motions and most likely I will not hear from them again. The other phone interview was from a Bank and they asked me some strange questions that were hard to cap on over the phone. I received a email from them stating I was not a good fit, most likely I am over qualified anyway. I went to that bank after the rejection and saw that everyone was under 30 years old but the manager. Very interesting, again I think it was just a tactic to do the phone interview to keep in line with the fair hiring rights laws. I have had my resume looked over by 3 resume writing professionals and spent time training to update my computer skills, interviewed and signed up with temp agencies and I still have not landed anything. My next course of action may be a head hunter. For those that are out of work networking is good, do it! Volunteer it could turn into something, I will soon be doing that also.
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Posted by: R.D.
GREAT ARTICLE!
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Posted by: Floyd C.
Well... After reading these comments, I guess I'm not alone. (cue the violin music) I'm 55 and have been in Drafting and Design for 35 years. I've done all the right things during my career - after college started out on the drafting board, got computer CAD training in the 8o's, got 3D SolidWorks training in 2006 and worked for an impressive list of employers from small companies to General Dynamics Corp. Years ago I'd have no problem finding employment. It's been quite a task this time around. Living in a rural area hasn't helped. I've extended my search from Buffalo to Maine - no luck. Why hire an out-of-towner over locals. Applied to less paying jobs but as soon as they see my former salaries on the application - rejected. Go back to a 2 year college to change careers? Great idea but would you hire a 58-60 year old or a fresh kid at 21-25. My advice is keep plugging away. Look at all positions and hopefully somebody out there will give you a chance. Hang in there my friends.
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Posted by: Helen M
Good read. Getting a job is harder now than ever before for me. I have a long stable job history and had to move to get married. I am trying everything and agree that the best lead is the one not publicized. You look on a job site and go to all jobs and go from there. Also just making new friends and taking in any news/advice they have to offer. Trying to stay positive on the Cape.
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Posted by: Henry H.
As a 55+ year old engineer with two degrees, and health issues, I find it nearly impossible to get a job in my field. The economy has brought out a lot of unemployed competition onto the job market, and that unemployed competition is generally younger, which makes it difficult to compete for what available jobs there are on the job market right now. The tips presented are good, but they can only go so far as it pertains to the older job seeker. Finally, as it pertains to the unemployment mess, blame the Bush administration for getting the economy out of control, which led to the unemployment rate approaching 10 percent. It could be said that Bush was the modern day Herbert Hoover, and that this recession is the worst since the Great Depression.
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Posted by: David R.
Thanks, I have been looking for ways to help me get out of this rut, I like the ideas of opening up and getting people to know me. Thanks again. PS anybody want to help by getting to know me in UTAH?
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Posted by: Barbara
Very helpful advice..a great reminder.
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Posted by: Karen
I just love these "experts" on how to get a job. They want me to get a resume done by a professional. I don't even have enough money to feed my kids, but I'm supposed to pay someone to make my resume stand out. What is it going to be in extra large font so it will stand out because there are about 100 to 200 people applying for every job that I am over the internet. This is a joke. I've been a legal secretary for about 20 years and bookkeeper for about 10. It should not be this hard to get a job. I have never had this hard of a time getting a job. But according to the republicans, I'm a lazy, drug addict, hobo that doesn't deserve to live, so no unemployment extension for me and my kids. We get to starve and be homeless!!! Thanks for the advice.
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Posted by: Richard
To young to retire. To old to hire. I would work at half my fomer compensation as long as it was double what unemployment is!
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Posted by: Bobbye
Thanks for your article, it gave me the confirmation I needed to know, that I was on the right track in my jobs search.
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Posted by: Samreen Hassan Hijazi
very informative and uplifting article.
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Posted by: Johnny Federico
Very valueable and uplifting reading. Thank You for the chance at getting my second wind!
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Posted by: Heather Peterson
I am young and have a bachelor degree in computer science. I cannot find a job.
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Posted by: Marsha Westbrook
Networking is the way to get to know people and by listening to what they have to say. Give a smile, someone needs to be encouraged today.
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Posted by: Gladys Rubio
I also agree that the older you get the harder it is to find a job. I have noticed that employers are only interested in hiring young people. Young people don't care how much they get paid, nor do they worry about benefits because they live with their parents and don't have to pay rent. I think it's unfair that because we get old we get discriminated. If I was the one hiring. I would only hire older people bacause they are more reliable, experienced, hard workers, and because they are serious about their jobs.
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Posted by: Joe Phillips
I surely enjoyed your article and more so the comments that followed. It seems that one of my fellow jobseekers is misinformed regarding networking. Networking is NOT about getting a job through a friend or a relative! Networking is about obtaining information regarding a potential opening through a fellow jobseeker. Please note, this opening may not have been advertised or otherwise displayed for the public at all! So, in order to gain knowledge regarding the existence of these positions, you need to know someone inside the organization. This is what networking is about, people helping people learn about openings - not getting them hired! They will need to get themselves hired based on their own merit! I would like to offer up a bit of advice to new members of our unemployed group. Watch your money carefully during this time! You may want a new car, new clothes, etc. - all this is fine. But, it needs to wait until after you get a job. Right now, focus on maintaining your monthly bills and the funding of your job search.
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Posted by: Jonas Kaye
It was helpful to read the above.
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Posted by: Outraged
The political agenda of the sell-out congress and their masters in Corporate America is to destroy our middle class by exporting middle class jobs to communist China and by importing alien workers to replace the Americans being laid off from the few remaining domestic jobs. Nothing short of a revolution will reverse this seditious trend and put this nation back on its traditional path once again. I suggest you "network" with combat vets if you want to prepare yourselves for a brighter future.
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Posted by: KMcLeish
Very Encouraging..Thanks for the TIPS!
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Posted by: Todd
The sad truth in today's market is that employers have it all, and job seekers nothing. Unless you can rely on a friend, your odds of getting hired until the economy improves are slim. With two degrees in engineering, I have been out of work for one year. Even the federal government told me I didn't meet their education requirements! I laughed at that one, since I more than met the requirements.The bottom line is that 70% of our economy is based on consumer spending. When 70% of it is based on that and not something like manufacturing, the economy is caught in a vicious cycle that we will not escape for sometime.My advice is to use every friend, colleague, ex-employer and source to gain employment. I use about six different headhunters, but unfortunately in this environment its really just not possible to get work.I try and keep positive that tomorrow will bring the phone call I've been looking for, but I usually just get nothing. But somehow, someway, I keep going on.Lastly, its easy for those working to say here's how to get work, and you should stay positive, but trust me, it's an entirely different story when you are the one on the frontline.
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Posted by: William Petelo
Very encouraging and motivating comments
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Posted by: Claudia
Thanks for the uplifting article. When I was first laid off I went to a career counsuling firm who said that looking for a new job was going to be a "roller coaster ride". Boy, were they right! Your first sugggestion to not take the rejection personally is right on the money. However, I am finding out that being over 50, even with years of experience and excellent credentials, doesn't help the situation at all!
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Posted by: Jim Alexander
Right on Kelly. The plight for us over educated, over qualified and over fifty is definitely discouraging. I even applied for a Supervisors position at a company that I left after twenty-seven years (for greener pastures)and received the basic standard rejection form stating " after careful consideration of your experience/skills we have decided to pursue other candidates more qualified for this position" I held that position for nine years on my climb up the ladder. Who in this world would be more qualified? My pursuant email to the HR manager is yet to be answered. You would think someone out there still values experienced/ seasoned individuals that can and will bring added value to their team.
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Posted by: Kelly
The article was very informative; however, I am a former teacher with multiple degrees, and I still cannot land a job. I have been in the classroom for the past 17 years, and have no skills other than teaching and some computer skills. Teachers are not prepared for the corporate world, do not know how to write a professional resume, and are basically stuck..teaching.As far as teachers go, you can't get water out of a rock, even if you spiffy up your resume. Face it: companies want to hire young, and not have to deal with a starting pay that matches a veteran teacher.
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Posted by: Roger
I think it's wrong to use other people or friends, to find a job or get hired. A person should get the a job, because the person hiring believes they are right for the position. Not because they know someone or are friends with a someone. Anything other than getting the job, because the H.R. Manager thinks you can do the job, is a form of discrimination.
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Posted by: Sylvia Gallo
This article is "right on the money." Most jobseekers allow their emotions to get in the way of finding their next position. Persistence and confidence are the keys to finding the next career opportunity!
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Posted by: Tracey
I've been really down and out over not finding a job. This was a very uplifting article and has given me a little more steam to get out there and find what I want. Thank you.
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Posted by: George Manes
It's hard to follow-up by phone when the vast majority of submissions are blind submissions; either to an agency or to a "secret" e-mail address. Call the agent? They won't tell you a thing. They have literally hundreds of resumes. Some won't even return calls.
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Posted by: Bob Spencer
I want to personally thank you for your positive "marketing" comments. They are truly to the point and creates a bigger picture to become even more proactive in the quest for a better "network" to meet people who have the same concerns; but maintain that daily attitude meet the everyday challenges under these troubling conditions called world "recession." Please continue to keep us abreast with your excellent comments. Thanks So Much.
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Posted by: George Apostolakis
I started playing racketball at my local gym. I met a guy who works for a local company that was hiring. I just had a phone interview with the company. I have networked thru Linked In and Facebook too.
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Posted by: Sandra Johnson Fischer
Thanks for the interesting article. I especially liked the idea of networking with people with whom you have a common interest. It can be difficult to network with strangers when you don't know what you have in common, starting with a shared interest will certainly make this easier. Please keep the great tips coming.
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Posted by: John Gehrke
Thank you for the article. I would love to be able to 'network' and meet people who may have helpful information about local opportunities, although for me this is rather mysterious. I know the economy is a tough issue, although surely some normal turnover continues and some positions need to be filled even in a depression. The only thing I can figure out some days is to try to 'network' online such as at Linkedin.com. I would welcome any further comments and will certainly maintain a positive attitude. Thanks again.
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Posted by: Audrey Killings
excellent comments.thank you.
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Posted by: Denise Liwosz
Dear Staff Editor:Thanks for the tips and it's quite clear that we need to master the art of marketing our own uniqueness. Thanks,Denise
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Posted by: Sandi Wijaya
Nice tips!
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Posted by: Mark Hart
This is a very uplifting and motivating article. Thank you for sending it. I believe the suggestions are right on the button.
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