Tips - No. 155

Tip No. 155

Q. I am a former laid-off employee that you counseled several months ago. I subsequently found what I thought was a long-term job, but that ended in February. My question is how does a 58 year old chemical engineer willing to accept an entry-level position get considered when competing with chemical engineers with far less experience?

A. I am sorry to hear that your new job has ended. I recall that you were extremely pleased about the position when you first accepted the offer.
Your best bet for finding another position, at the management or entry level is through networking, using the process you learned through CMI's services. I would recommend that you go back through your workbook to refresh yourself on the process and begin tapping into your network again. The people who know you and your capabilities are the ones who are most likely to recognize what you have to offer and refer you to people who may have a need for the services you can provide. I suggest that you start with all of your former co-workers who are re-employed. You most likely will not have much luck when responding to newspaper or Internet ads, as the responses will go to the HR department for screening. Today, this screening is pretty tough and companies are looking for candidates who are about a 99% match to their requirements. Remember, you want to get straight to the hiring authorities, and bypass HR, if possible.

Unfortunately, ageism is a problem that you may face as you explore the job market again and it can certainly be discouraging. One of the reasons companies would rather hire younger, less experienced workers is that they don't cost as much. However, many companies these days are finding that without the more seasoned workers on their staffs, they do not have the management and leadership within their organizations that they need in order to be effective. For this reason, many companies are willing to consider and hire more seasoned job candidates. I know it is frustrating for you to face this rejection because some companies want to hire younger workers, however, you will just have to continue talking to as many hiring managers as possible until you find the place where you will be a fit for their needs.

Another alternative for you, which many people in your position find a viable solution, is consulting work. As you network, you may find that there are more opportunities for short-term, consulting projects that call for your expertise, rather than full-time, permanent employment positions. You may even want to inquire about these types of opportunities as you go through your job search. Another alternative along those lines is to get signed up with some of the companies that provide contract employees in your area. What company did your former employer use to bring in contract employees? You should get signed up with them. You should also find out who the other companies in your area use to find contract employees and sign up with them as well. Both of these options will expand your possibilities. If you do end up working a contract or consulting job, not only will you keep your skills fresh, but also, you will be expanding your professional network. Also, many companies these days are hiring contract-to-permanent, and working a contract position, may be just the way to get your foot in the door somewhere.

A couple of other possibilities you may want to consider are finding a part-time job somewhere while you conduct your search and volunteering. Both will help you to feel productive and will open up your network even more as you meet new people in these environments. I have one former client, who like you, had an extensive (30 year) career with one company, whose job search extended far longer than he expected, so he decided to become a substitute teacher while continuing to search for a permanent position in his field. He has just accepted an offer for a new position in his field. The interim work helped his family stay afloat until he could land this new position.

You may also want to check with the local chambers of commerce for your city and the surrounding cities to see if there are any networking groups in your area designed to assist job seekers. I would also suggest that you check with the local churches to see if any of them hold job search networking groups as part of their outreach ministries. Many in Houston do; and I know of numerous job seekers who have found good referrals and opportunities through this avenue.

As far as developing new, marketable skills goes, that is another alternative, however, because of the economic situation right now, it is a "buyers' market," and it would most likely be even more difficult for you to find a position in a new field in which you do not have any experience. However, if you would like to explore this option, which you should if you do have an interest in doing a different type of work, you may want to talk to the Texas Workforce Commission to find out about their skills re-training programs. Your other options for new skill development would be scholarships, student loans, or grants if you were to go back to a college or university or technical training school.

I am sorry to hear that you find yourself thrust into a job search again. I know that you are disappointed and discouraged. Try to hang in there. I wish you the best of luck as you pursue yet another, new position.

CMI
Career Management International

If you have a question for CMI, please send email to tips@careermanagement.com with "Question for CMI" in the subject line.

TipsArchive | About Our Counselors | Career Management International


	Tip No. 155
Q. I am a former laid-off employee that you counseled several months ago. I subsequently found what I thought was a long-term job, but that ended in February. My question is how does a 58 year old chemical engineer willing to accept an entry-level position get considered when competing with chemical engineers with far less experience?
A. I am sorry to hear that your new job has ended. I recall that you were extremely pleased about the position when you first accepted the offer. Your best bet for finding another position, at the management or entry level is through networking, using the process you learned through CMI's services. I would recommend that you go back through your workbook to refresh yourself on the process and begin tapping into your network again. The people who know you and your capabilities are the ones who are most likely to recognize what you have to offer and refer you to people who may have a need for the services you can provide. I suggest that you start with all of your former co-workers who are re-employed. You most likely will not have much luck when responding to newspaper or Internet ads, as the responses will go to the HR department for screening. Today, this screening is pretty tough and companies are looking for candidates who are about a 99% match to their requirements. Remember, you want to get straight to the hiring authorities, and bypass HR, if possible. Unfortunately, ageism is a problem that you may face as you explore the job market again and it can certainly be discouraging. One of the reasons companies would rather hire younger, less experienced workers is that they don't cost as much. However, many companies these days are finding that without the more seasoned workers on their staffs, they do not have the management and leadership within their organizations that they need in order to be effective. For this reason, many companies are willing to consider and hire more seasoned job candidates. I know it is frustrating for you to face this rejection because some companies want to hire younger workers, however, you will just have to continue talking to as many hiring managers as possible until you find the place where you will be a fit for their needs. Another alternative for you, which many people in your position find a viable solution, is consulting work. As you network, you may find that there are more opportunities for short-term, consulting projects that call for your expertise, rather than full-time, permanent employment positions. You may even want to inquire about these types of opportunities as you go through your job search. Another alternative along those lines is to get signed up with some of the companies that provide contract employees in your area. What company did your former employer use to bring in contract employees? You should get signed up with them. You should also find out who the other companies in your area use to find contract employees and sign up with them as well. Both of these options will expand your possibilities. If you do end up working a contract or consulting job, not only will you keep your skills fresh, but also, you will be expanding your professional network. Also, many companies these days are hiring contract-to-permanent, and working a contract position, may be just the way to get your foot in the door somewhere. A couple of other possibilities you may want to consider are finding a part-time job somewhere while you conduct your search and volunteering. Both will help you to feel productive and will open up your network even more as you meet new people in these environments. I have one former client, who like you, had an extensive (30 year) career with one company, whose job search extended far longer than he expected, so he decided to become a substitute teacher while continuing to search for a permanent position in his field. He has just accepted an offer for a new position in his field. The interim work helped his family stay afloat until he could land this new position. You may also want to check with the local chambers of commerce for your city and the surrounding cities to see if there are any networking groups in your area designed to assist job seekers. I would also suggest that you check with the local churches to see if any of them hold job search networking groups as part of their outreach ministries. Many in Houston do; and I know of numerous job seekers who have found good referrals and opportunities through this avenue. As far as developing new, marketable skills goes, that is another alternative, however, because of the economic situation right now, it is a "buyers' market," and it would most likely be even more difficult for you to find a position in a new field in which you do not have any experience. However, if you would like to explore this option, which you should if you do have an interest in doing a different type of work, you may want to talk to the Texas Workforce Commission to find out about their skills re-training programs. Your other options for new skill development would be scholarships, student loans, or grants if you were to go back to a college or university or technical training school. I am sorry to hear that you find yourself thrust into a job search again. I know that you are disappointed and discouraged. Try to hang in there. I wish you the best of luck as you pursue yet another, new position.
CMI Career Management International

If you have a question for CMI, please send email to tips@careermanagement.com with "Question for CMI" in the subject line.

TipsArchive \| About Our Counselors \| Career Management International