I joined the ranks of the unemployed the end of January this year. A number of followers check up and ask me to keep in touch and I promised to do so. Here are a few thoughts and observations from the unemployment line so to speak.
I worked at my last job for about fifteen years. Needless to say it has been a while since I interviewed for a job. To make things a little more realistic, I worked for the same company (but different owners) for about eight years until they filed for bankruptcy. I found other jobs and a few years later the company built itself back up with new owners and products and I knew people there and was told of an opening. I interviewed and was rehired immediately.
In fact, I cannot think of an interview I had that did not result in me getting hired. There may have been a few interviews where I did not want to work for the company or in the available position, but in general, if I got the interview I got hired.
Since I am talking years ago even those experiences are irrelevant. Today most applications are on-line. You can upload your resume, and then there are pages of questions, evaluations, tests and responses to complete. There seems to be a few companies that provide this service for large and small companies that need to hire workers.
Until this week I did not get a real ‘bite’ on my applications. I use social networks, job blogs, hiring company notifications and other resources. This week I had an ‘open house’ style interview with one major company and set up a phone interview for another. Sounds like a good time to report on progress!
I grew into the position at my last job from years of experience, absorbing new tasks, proving I was able to take on new assignments and making things happen. So I gradually moved into a position that by today’s standards would require a HEAVY and targeted educational background. Not complaining here. I am actually proud of the success I made. Add to that that I am a musician first (I would joke that working was my ‘hobby’) and my appearance and philosophy do not fit the corporate image at all. In spite of all that I gained a lot of respect, responsibility, and knowledge.
I am ‘disqualified’ for a lot of things quickly during the rigid on-line application process. Either I make too much money for the position offered or I do not have the formal education required these days to do similar jobs. Add to that my age, and the process often ends abruptly.
Fortunately it allows me to narrow down positions that will be good for me. I do not need much and in a strange way I can be a bit choosy. I also have a good track record, and if I can land an interview, I have confidence I will be fairly considered for the position.
I will keep you posted and let you know how it goes.
For those of you also looking, how is your search going? What is your feel for the current job market?
I’ve been looking solidly for the last 8 yes 8 years Mike….I would suggest a philosphical approach.
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Wow. I am open to suggestions!
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Well it’s better to be Grateful than to be Dead, better red than dead too, so get a red beret and flaunt it!
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I guarantee I ‘wave my freak flag high’! If they are looking for the genuine thing they will easily find me.
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Good luck to you!
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Many thanks! I appreciate your comment.
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I’m ruining into similar situations when folks see my age and current salary.
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They are tough hurdles to get over. I am sure we will be able to succeed, but we just need to get in the door first LOL!
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I’m rooting for you :-). I’m hoping to turn this business into my primary source of income with maybe a part time gig on the side to supplement. No more working for “the man”, lol. 😉
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Thank you!
I was hoping to do that but had planned on a few more years before I had to depend on it. Good luck to you and I will watch your progress with interest.
Indeed, it is much better and healthier to work for ourselves than to make someone else just ‘more wealthy’.
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Hiring is a gray area and recruiters (often not competent enough with the requirement and complete understanding of the Job Descriptions) eliminate the possibilities of genuine and good prospective employees being hired. I do not wish to discourage you, Mike, but things become easier if you get in touch with competent hiring agencies or send direct applications to the companies. Hope things work out for you soon. Wish you all the best.
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I agree. For many of them, it is a challenge to make good matches when you have different skills or work history than the vast majority of people on your list. You focus on the ones you can help because that is how you get paid! No surprise there.
That has been my strategy, while also accessing LinkedIn and other job search tools. I started out a bit discouraged so I am not disappointed or surprised at the market response so far. Thank you!
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Best wishes to you, Mike. Your efforts will be successful. LinkedIn is a good place to network and also it is a good idea to look at start-ups to work for, they look for experience and who has different skill sets.
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Thanks again. I think that would be something I could really get behind and would be able to offer insight and a skill set most people have not developed yet. I am not a networking-kind-of-guy though and it takes me a while to get ramped-up!
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Best of luck.
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Thanks! I may need it.
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It must be difficult when you are used to making a certain salary and then hoping to get it at a starting position at another company. I’ve been at my job 3 years now but before that I went through a series of getting hired and fired from jobs that just didn’t work out. I could probably write a book on the subject. I think if you send enough applications and go to enough job interviews something will work out but it helps if you’re not too picky and sometimes you should be.
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It is a bit of a shock. We were well prepared – as much as possible without being drastic. I hope I do not have to bounce around too much to find the right company.
The Catch 22 of our times!
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Oh yeah, same here. Hope you find the right fit…and soon!
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Working on it! I would feel better if it was sooner as well.
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I wish you all the best in your search.
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Appreciated! I find myself catching up on sleep and dreams….. it is the little things in life!
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That’s good, MM. So many eople work their hearts out wishing for time for themselves. Then when they get it they aren’t able to enjoy it. I hope you can savor every bit.
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While working I felt guilty if I stopped to read a book or just ‘sat there watching the sunset’. I was always thinking there are more productive things to do, when you and I know that is not true at all. So I find myself wasting a little time now and then but instead of feeling guilty….. I smile!
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Good. That is life well lived, imho.
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Ditto!
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Good Luck dear Mike!
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Much appreciated. I will hang in there and be ready for the next door to open.
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Hope those positive bites you had will bear fruit, or that more will come soon that will in turn bring something worthy your way.
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Me too. Thanks! I will keep plugging away. Getting a job is like sales – it is a numbers game and you just have to pitch as many times as you can.
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Indeed. I was in the same situation just a few years ago – laid off and job searching. Took me 4 1/2 months, but now I have a really good job. So, it will pay off for you!
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That is good to hear. There are great companies out there and more starting all the time! Companies that not only make a good product or provide a great service but also take care of the employees that make it possible. It may take me longer than the 4-5 months but I will find them!
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I am in the same position for 4 years now.I tried almost anything to apply for a job,anything I could find and thought could do it.But with 45 the chances are weekening.Hope you will get a job soon.Had an interview just today at a position I worked for 13 years…all other job they said I do not fit the profile (lame excuse)
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That put you in the thick of the recession. So many people’s lives were thrown out of wack. Difficult to make up for the lost time. I appreciate the comments and well wishes. I hope your interview pans out and gets you up and running again. It is difficult to see so many people facing similar challenges, but for some, things are getting better. Hope you are one of them!
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Keeping my fingers crossed for you, Mike. I’m in a similar position. Although I’m willing to take a lesser paying position just to get a foot into an industry I like, the employers here won’t entertain it.
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Thank you! I love to learn new things, but it is difficult to start at the bottom if you (I) do not have a lot of time to work my way back up. Lower pay for the right company is acceptable to me, but hard to convince the employer it is worth their time.
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So true about time. Starting at the bottom is risky business. There’s no guarantee of upward mobility or contentment in a lower position. The employer has every right to be cautious.
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Agreed. It is expensive to train new people and it can take some time before the new hire is worth the investment. I can hit the ground running but there are always new procedures, policies, people that you have to get a handle on.
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Wishing you all the best! I haven’t worked full time for about 7 years. Money is certainly a concern, but on the positive side, I’ve had the opportunity to explore different professional fields during my search. I agree that age is an issue; it’s a big disappointment.
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Thank you so much! Money isn’t everything as you have proven, but outlook may be! You are doing well and proving it can be done. Maybe not how we planned it, but there are positive things to be involved in.
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Wishing the BEST on your search!!!! 😀
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Much appreciated! I am persistent, at least!
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😀
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Wishing you all the best Mike. The on line process is horrible.
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Thanks! I agree. If they were hiring robots, it would be a good system. As it is, I am concerned I am not a good robot!
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I understand completely! Peace.
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Take care!
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I gave up after a year.
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That is tough to hear. I hope you the market gets better for a lot of us. There are more options and new ways of getting ahead, but that does not make it easy. I might find myself in the same position and will try to make the best of whatever comes. Hang in there!
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My friend. You win every interview because you are a charming person. It’s that simple. Nobody knows up-front you are knowledgeable and skillfull. That comes later. They hire you because you are charming.
I’m glad you are in a position to retire. You deserve to be 100% free.
I soon shall be.
TR
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In many ways you are right. My appearance and charm tends to put people at ease in ways they do not expect. Then I try to impress them with what I know and what I can do and that usually gives me the edge.
The market is better than recent years but not great, though adding the age thing puts a different spin on long term hiring plans. Thank you for your optimism and the justification! I just need to land a few more interviews and I will find the right company to work for.
Soon, my friend. Soon,
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Good Luck, Mike. I think with your positive attitude, you are bound to get something soon!
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Thank you so much. It is not so much a chore as an adventure….. you never know where the path will lead but you can certainly influence what happens when you get there! I appreciate the good thoughts.
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My prayers continue that you get the Right and BEST job, Mike 🙂
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Perfect. For now I can be a bit choosy, but eventually it might come down to ANY job LOL!
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I have a strong feeling the right and best one will present itself–that you won’t have to face the lesser eventuality 🙂
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I have a few options and I can be a little patient until the right opportunity opens up. I can do a few things so not locked into one. Still, I hope you are right!
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🙂
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post retirement jobs are the most meaningful
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I agree. Now I just have to get all my ducks on a row! This came a little too early. Time for Plan B.
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It’s a whole new hiring process now and many companies/recruiting/HR departments take advantage of the electronic process where the computer selects candidates based on key words and other criteria that, in my opinion, doesn’t really yield good results. It seems that gone are the days of human eyes looking at and selecting appropriate resumes/cover letters for specific positions. I seen a study not too long ago that spoke to this very issue of companies not making the right hiring decisions by totally relying on computers to do the work for them and the study offered alternatives to this process.
All the best to you!!
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As a recent manager responsible for interviewing and hiring all in my departments, I refused to get on board with the current screening process. I would also tell candidates that I am not looking for the best …… (technical, data entry, communicator, problem solver, etc.) I am looking for a good fit. If you are the best and do not fit the culture, I will look for second best. We had a very diverse work force and such a great team!
Thank you so much!
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Sending you positive thoughts.
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Received and appreciated! Have a great weekend!
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Reblogged this on wwwpalfitness.
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Thanks for spreading the word! It is a bit of a challenge out there.
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You’re welcome:)
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Best of luck with your job hunting .
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I appreciate it. I wish it were a hunt. At least then I would have a chance of finding one LOL
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Best of luck. Job market is not that rosy out there. Despite what the low unemployment number shows, it is not the real story. For the number crunchers in the govt, even if you get $10 / week in reported salary, you are employed. Also the long term unemployed do not show up in the statistics. So brace yourself for a lower salary.
Again, good luck.
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Thank you a lot. I have followed the numbers way before losing my job and am not surprised. I am well braced!
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Wow sounds like things have really changed. Glad to hear you had 2 interviews. I know you are a hard worker and you have many talents. When an employer looks at 2 resumes with similar backgrounds, I think they choose the one that has something special, and you have that. You just need to sell it. Good luck!
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Well, I just got word that I did not get either job, and that is a bit disappointing. I have maturity and something special (thanks for the comment), but I am not young, energetic or hungry like so many others applying for the same job. I also do not have years to learn the new job to get efficient at it. Uphill battle these days!
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Sorry to hear that Mike. You’re right; you have tough competition. Even college kids can’t get jobs. One day I think I may be able to work again, and I would be in my 50s and I know that would be a negative. But that’s a while from now. I do think it’s great you got the interviews; that’s half the battle. Just keep going and keep making music 🙂
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If I was an employer and knew it took a while for a new hire to get the hang of the job and then a for longer to get Good at it and worth the pay, I might consider someone younger as well. I learn faster, but fewer years return on training investment in their eyes. Tough call!
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Best of luck, Mike!
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Thank you! I have another interview today. I finally got word I was not picked for the last one….bummer.
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Oh no… hopefully you’ll get this one!
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It went really well. Good company and my boss has a similar attitude to mine. Fingers crossed LOL!
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🙂
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I have a full time job in the school system but I feel like I might be in the market for one real soon just because my current position seems to bring me so much emotional pain for several reasons. It’s not easy though, even for a younger guy such as myself because of the online nonsense you mentioned. I’m pretty sure I have some kind of social anxiety from those times were I had to go to jobs to apply but even so the idea of “pounding the pavement” is practically obsolete these days, especially for good jobs. I wish you luck, Mike.
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The challenges in most school systems ( and their current lack of attention and budgets) must be incredible. I know it is easier to find a job when you have one, so if you want to make a career change it is better to do it while you remain employed and do it on your own schedule. Most good jobs are gone before I even hear about them LOL. Thank you so much for your comments and good wishes. I hope you find a less painful solution as well.
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Thanks bro.
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I read this report. Good read.
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I seem to be able to get great interviews, second and even third interviews at a number of companies but still no offers to date. Thanks for the comment and visit!
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My husband just got laid off a month ago. Sounds like he’s in a similar situation to you – he worked for his last 2 companies for at last 10 years each, and a lot of his training has been on the job. This new “job hunt process” is so discouraging. It’s amazing how much they expect you to do for a salary of peanuts! And with a wife and two kids to support, we can’t live on peanuts. I’ve been helping him with the search, and I keep thinking there’s got to be a better, more effective way of doing things. Let me know if you figure one out. Best of luck to you!
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I am sorry to hear that. It can be difficult for anyone, but with family to take care of adds a lot more pressure. I am still unemployed and pretty sure at this point I will not be able to get another job in my field. Too old to start over, I will look for somehing I like to do even if there is little pay. My wife works and our kids are grown and doing well, so I have some time to figure the next move. I will let you know if I find THE answer LOL. Good luck to you and your family as well. Thanks for the visit and comments.
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very good blog…..really appreciated…..
Read my blog on unemployment… https://breadomlette.wordpress.com/2016/09/16/lack-of-education-is-the-reason-of-unemployment/
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I appreciate your time and comments. Welcome!
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Same here…
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thank you
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