<p>
</p>
<p>2/3rds of our technical staff is in their 40’s and 50’s, as are our managers. We have a few kids in their 20’s, some in their 30’s, but staff picnics look like AARP cookouts, sans shuffleboard…</p>
<p>we, too, are doing cutting edge work (consumer electronics software / hardware)…</p>
<p>The company that I work for has been promoting mainly those who are younger. If a new project starts up, the management position almost always goes to a thirty -something year old. A manager had made the off the cuff remark that they give bigger raises to younger workers because older workers will be less likely to leave, are less energetic and because they’re more concerned with retirement.</p>
<p>Performersmom…that sucks.</p>
<p>I think part Of the stealing of compensation may be age related, but some isn’t.</p>
<p>I have noticed that a few of my ideas have been enacted…but not until they become the chairman’s ideas. 
</p>
<p>Sometimes I listen to phone conversations and hear my ideas coming out of the chairman’s mouth…</p>
<p>There is another person in the room and I just look at the other person
and we just smile
at each other. </p>
<p>Maybe…your husband should go work for himself.</p>
<p>Has your husband made any contacts that might help him? There might be other people his age that might like to start something new.</p>
<p>A few years ago a permanent job came up at an organization I was familiar with that I would have LOVED to have. I have been an independent consultant for many years since leaving one of the bigger firms in the industry after 10 years with them, and have a lot of varied, deep experience with different types and sizes of companies. I have worked steadily for about 15 years with my own consulting business, have an undergraduate business degree and MBA from reputable schools. I have excellent references. I like what I do, am good at it, and would only have considered taking a full time position for something very special – which I thought this job I was applying for was.</p>
<p>I got dinged in my interview because… they were convinced I would not stay with them, since I had worked at so many different organizations over the years. 
So I didn’t get the job,and am still sad about it. I guess that is losing out for being self employed…</p>
<p>Regarding being near 50 at the time, there was a moment in that interview (a team interview, so with 7 people staring at me), when I wanted to look at something I had written on my notepad before going into the meeting (just to be sure I had covered all the points I had jotted down ahead of time). But… my reading glasses were in my briefcase on the floor next to me. I was in a chair with no table in front of me, so had not had a chance to lay out my notebook, pen, glasses, etc. like I normally would. Should I fumble for them? The interview was coming to a close, I thought they might be running a few minutes late. And I just felt so closely watched by this team, most of whom were not in need of reading glasses yet. I elected to skip any points I had missed, shook hands, thanked them, and left. But needing my glasses – and feeling judged for needing them – isn’t a problem I would have had 10 years earlier in an interview.</p>
<p>Doct,I thought you were going to retire soon. No?</p>
<p>There was an article in our local paper a few weeks back. I read it because of the title, which was something like “State Firms Can’t Find Machinists.” Can’t find machinists? If there’s one thing Connecticut has, it’s machinists. We have machinists for jet engines and machinists for helicopters and machinists for submarines and machinists for power equipment, and machinists for armaments, etc. Lots of these machinists, thousands probably, are out of work. Can’t find machinists? </p>
<p>So I read the article. So first of all, the firms only have openings for a couple hundred machinists total. And then there’s the screening criteria: No one over fifty … (too old). No one who has worked for a major corporation … (too expensive). No one who doesn’t have at least three years set up experience on the latest computer-controlled machining centers. Yes, with that criteria I can see why they’re having trouble finding “qualified” applicants.</p>
<p>My point here is that things can get a little irrational in economic times like these. Being able to do the job often isn’t the main hiring criteria … even for skilled work. Don’t be discouraged by this, because it’s something you can’t control.</p>
<p>Sorry to hear of your situation, performers mom! Husband should be actively searching for job now, and networking like crazy, and you should look at cutting as many expenses as possible. (I’m sure you know this already… ;)). Do your kids have any cheaper options for college? It is not advised to spend down retirement assets to pay for college!
I actually plunged myself into this situation: up and quit my teaching job im September after 18 years because I was fed up and worn out. I was very lucky to find a low-level low-stress job with excellent benefits (and proportionate retirement with my teaching pension plan), and will be starting this Monday. I had a lovely two months of vacation while waiting for the hiring process to run its course, and now I am ready to start my 4th and perhaps final career, making about half what I made at my peak (salary plus pay for performance money.). I am so very blessed in that both my kids are through college and self-supporting and we have no college debts for them, which allows me the flexibility to work for peanuts and health insurance!!! I am also an oldie, and way overqualfied for the job. Luckily, City doesn’t discriminate in regards to age,</p>
<p>“But needing my glasses – and feeling judged for needing them – isn’t a problem I would have had 10 years earlier in an interview.”</p>
<p>Interesting…</p>
<p>Forgetting the need of glasses…</p>
<p>The whole judging thing…</p>
<p>I hate it…</p>
<p>Really…I don’t want to hear the judgments. And suggestions…most of them…I don’t want to hear them either.</p>
<p>I’m 55. Leave me the f… Alone. :)</p>
<p>NewHope33, there was an article in the Wall Street Journal recently describing just exactly that kind of overfussiness at companies claiming that they are unable to fill jobs.</p>
<p>After spending 10 years as a stay at home mom, I just found a part time job in a small company where the owner is in his 50s and everybody else is 30 or younger.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t have thought this possible (I found the job within a month of starting to look), so you should always apply because you never know – sometimes they are looking for a particular type of person and you fit that type.</p>
<p>Anxiousmom, good luck.</p>
<p>
H has been using Oil of Olay, he claimed his mom used it for her skin. He looks about 10-15 years younger than his real age so has not had problem finding work. Plus he is quite trim and fit.</p>
<p>DrG - Are you saying it’s not an advantage to look experienced and well-nourished?</p>
<p>NewHope, the advantage is not as great as looking youthful. :D</p>
<p>“Doct,I thought you were going to retire soon. No?”</p>
<p>In 2 years when my daughter finishes medical school and when I’m done with big vacations.</p>
<p>Niiiice, fendrock.
You too, anxiousmom.</p>
<p>Well, since H and I fully realize that KEEPING His current job with a good paycheck and full health benefits is the top priority, obvious job-seeking networking and even down-sizing (a move and so forth would be known at the company) are currently considered bad ideas, esp by H.
H is a naturally gregarious soul who has been on a a number of school and philanthropic boards, sees old school friends and old work and client friends and board friends for sports related stuff or lunch all the time.</p>
<p>Dstark, H is truly a team-player/organization man. Just is. He likes to be part of something. He is a good but not powerful or risk-taking leader type. Easy to work with, easy to get along with. Takes care of his employees. Good problem solver, cost-cutter, strategic planner. Good at advocating for his dept with upper management.
Not sure how starting up his own biz would be for him…</p>
<p>My story was just to demonstrate the type of pickle that many our age are in. Where is our bail-out? jk (sort of)</p>
<p>Dr G-
I think Santa will be putting some Oil of Olay in H’s stocking this Xmas! (A lot cheaper than a face lift lol)</p>
<p>dstark-
Can you give more detail about your wife getting this new job? What area? What experience before? Any time not working? Her job hunt strategy??
Cograts to her, btw!</p>
<p>cbug, go for it!</p>
<p>I work for a very large corporation and we hire people over 50 all the time. In my new department (IT), I’m by far the youngest one. Half the people around me (quite literally) have just celebrated their 25 year anniversary with the company. They nick named me baby the moment they met me. It’s quite funny.</p>
<p>I don’t know what kind of job you’re looking for, but how are your computer skills? My younger sister just applied for an accounting job. She has a business degree and had taken accounting courses but had no work experience with accounting. She’s great at excel and word and things like that though. She just posted for this job at the place where she has worked the last two years. It wasn’t just an internal posting, they had external applicants as well. In the end it came down to her, and one other lady who had 20 years of accounting experience, but was slow as can be on the computer. They wound up hiring my sister - they said she’ll pick up accounting faster then the other lady will pick up the computer. The fact that she already works there and knows their systems definitely helped too. I felt bad for the older woman but I probably would have made the same decision in that situation.</p>
<p>^ fendergirl. My computer skills are great. Without going into too much detail, that’s what I do for living. I have software experience that most people don’t especially at my age. So I’m hoping this will set me apart. When I reworked my resume I tried to emphasize my web work as much as possible. Even though I’m not a web designer per se, I’m comfortable with marketing via the web.</p>
<p>Anyway, sounds like we’re all in the same boat here. I guess we’ll just need to paddle faster the younger folks to stay afloat. Kind of scary though.</p>
<p>cbug,
You sound very well-qualified, and good luck!!!
Let us know how it goes.</p>
<p>
Isn’t that illegal - age discrimination? I realize some companies and some individuals discriminate based on age but it doesn’t seem that they’d document the fact. It seems that they’re opening themselves up for a lawsuit they’d likely lose.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t skip hiring someone just because they’re in their 50s because some of them are excellent at what they do including in areas like software development and engineering. However, I also sometimes want someone at the beginning of their career, i.e. new college grads, who have a number of attributes including the fact that they’re generally less of a cost in salary.</p>
<p>A lot of places try to strike a balance between people with little experience at the beginning of their careers, people mid-level, and people with a lot of experience - at least that can work pretty well in the technical areas.</p>
<p>To answer the OP’s question - yes, I think there’ll be some discrimination because of age but it’ll be by some individuals and not others. Some people will be open minded and some not. One thing you’ll probably need to do is to not try to compete with a 23 y/o. Position yourself as someone with particular experiences that will be worth whatever additional cost you might require because of the point where you’re at in your career.</p>
<p>Realistically, how many companies or employees for that matter are really looking at the long haul of the employee 10 years down the road? They’re likely looking more like 1-3 years down the road where the 55 y/o ends up a 58 y/o - which IMO is no big deal at all. However, logic doesn’t always.</p>