Another employment rejection.

[Tobin S.]

I've probably applied and/or sent resumes to over 50 job postings since I graduated last December. I can find a job working in my field of study. I've had three offers. The problem is that I can't find anything that pays better than my truck driving gig. It's not like I'm really raking it in driving a truck, either. I made about $44,000 last year at a job I've been working at for over four years now. The best I've been able to run across in my job search is a sales gig starting at about 38k a year that I would have had to commute 1.5 hours for one way. I live a mile from work now. I think you might agree that it wasn't worth it.

The most promising lead I've had was for a local food distributor. I had an interview with the general manager. He told me before the interview nothing was available at the time, but he still wanted to talk to me. I got the impression that if something came up I'd be getting a call. Nope. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Nothing. That company regularly sends me e-mails of job postings, and I've applied for four positions that I'm qualified for, but I just keep getting rejected. I have yet another application and resume in with them for a management position. The company is heavily involved in transportation and I have almost 20 years of experience in that field. I also have a bachelor's degree in business and I graduated near the top of my class. You'd think a person like me would be an attractive recruit for them.

I suppose the job market is really tough right now, especially for good positions. I do have something working against me. I'm 42. I know I have been discriminated against for that on at least one occasion. It may have happened numerous times as far as I know.

[malthaussen]

1. One step closer to acceptance, then.

Positive thoughts, etc.

-- Mal

[Tobin S.]

2. Ha ha! I guess that's one way of looking at it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. I'm so sorry, my dear Tobin...

Hang in there, and keep at it!

[Terra Alta]

4. hope you find something soon

I'm sure the right job will come eventually.. just keep trying!

[seveneyes]

5. In these Darkest Times

[Tobin S.]

8. That rocks pretty good.

I can dig that prog metal.

[Major Nikon]

6. It's better to consider promotion potential rather than starting pay

A job with a good starting pay, but no potential to earn more is worse long term than a job that starts low, but has good opportunities for advancement.

Few companies are going to risk much on new hires. You just never know what you're going to get. Someone who looks good on paper may be a dud and vice versa.

Even if the starting pay is low, experience in the field you want also has value if most others are making good money.

[Tobin S.]

7. I understand what you are saying.

But I can't afford to take a pay cut. It's as simple as that. I'm barely getting by as it is.

The ideal job would be one making at least what I am making now with greater income potential.

[Major Nikon]

9. Many people are caught in that catch 22

Especially older workers who are trying to change career directions.

The only hope you may have is trying to negotiate with your prospective employer for a higher salary. So it's good to have a plan for this. Be prepared to tell them what you have to offer over most other prospects. Things like experience(even if not directly related), demonstration of past reliability, and sometimes even volunteer activities are good to throw at them if you get a job offer.

[Pinta]

10. a

s

[hrmjustin]

11. b

b

[NRaleighLiberal]

12. 2 b...or not 2 b. c?

[hrmjustin]

13. We shall c.

[kentauros]

21. D'oh!

Eh?

[hrmjustin]

22. Well played and no F for you.

No

[kentauros]

23. Gee,

'hanks

[hrmjustin]

24. Ingenious!

Justin salutes you.

[kentauros]

25. 'k.

Letting you have that one

[hrmjustin]

26. Magnificent!

[kentauros]

28. Nodding

[hrmjustin]

30. Ok

Pal!

[kentauros]

32. Que?

[hrmjustin]

33. Rote and sayings.

Thats all!

[kentauros]

35. Tata then,

U... U-U! (M*A*S*H reference)

[hrmjustin]

37. Very well!

[kentauros]

38. Xi (sigh)

Ξξ

[hrmjustin]

40. Zenith!

[kentauros]

41. Yoiks!

missed one

Numbers now? Base-10 or binary?

[hrmjustin]

42. Lol I guess i forgot my abc's.

[kentauros]

43. And the one-post wonder still exists!

Thanks for the fun subthread, pinta!

[hrmjustin]

44. My pleasure my friend!

[kentauros]

45. Glad to see you hanging in the Lounge, too!

It can be a fun place, when it's not in turmoil over boxed-wine, cornflake-encrusted furry-breasted-chickens, and so forth

[hrmjustin]

46. Good to be here.

[seveneyes]

36. C2Be || !ToBe

Switch ( Me ) { default: return !Never2Be; }

[kentauros]

39. "Switch you"?

Cane or bamboo?

[Terra Alta]

14. c what i c?

[hrmjustin]

15. .

[NRaleighLiberal]

16. going to have to give you a "D"!

[steve2470]

17. e i o u vowels, consonants now shall we ? nt

[kentauros]

27. What about 'w'?

Is it a consonant or a vowel? (see "cwm".)

[steve2470]

29. I see y listed also, interesting! nt

[kentauros]

31. We call it "double-u" yet no one ever seems to take advantage of that fact.

There is one instance where I can: when yelling in my car at over-cautious BMW drivers. "Be moving, BMUU!"

[steve2470]

18. hang in there Tobin, I know it's very rough out there

[icymist]

19. Don't give up Tobin S. You'll find the right job.

nt

[BainsBane]

20. Keep at it

You'll find something. One thing to keep in mind besides starting salary is room for advancement. Even if you start near your current salary, there may be ways to move through the organization so that your long-term earning potential is greater than in your current position.

[kentauros]

34. I know a lot of people around here are against using a contractor,

yet in my field (mapping, drafting) it's truly the only way to get work. And I'm 54. Can you work through a contractor in your field?

[CanSocDem]

47. Your age is a virtue...

...not a vice. It represents the years of wisdom you have accumulated. It has allowed you to formulate the kind of life you want. It has given you time to improve yourself and strengthen your contribution to the public good.

The best thing about a post-secondary education is the exposure it provides, to the larger world. The same can be said about 'driving a truck'.

How did it all come down to how much money you can make?


.

[Tobin S.]

56. It's called "needing to pay bills."

Life not all about making money, but the reality is that it costs a lot of money to live in America. I can't take a job that puts me below the bottom line unless I want to declare bankruptcy.

[alarimer]

48. Are you willing/able to move?

Possibly there might be opportunities elsewhere.

I've run in to this time and again in my field (which is, admittedly, not a very big one and pretty specialized, to boot, so the advice may not hold in other fields). It is no guarantee of anything, though. Sometimes (and this is my experience) you take a job in another state, at a higher salary, only to end up taking home less because of taxes and whatnot. And of course, local cost of living is an important consideration. $45,000 in San Francisco or Washington, DC does not go far enough to even buy food for most people.

And of course, your personal situation may mean moving is not an option. But I have always counseled some of my younger technicians right out of college that moving is a necessity in order to advance, given the limited positions in our field.

[Yavin4]

49. You may have to re-locate

The area that you're living in may not be the best for you in terms of opportunities.

[Sparhawk60]

50. All You Need is One Yes

I am also looking for a job with out much luck, however; I know that all I need is one yes and I am set. My better job offer may come in tomorrow, or in 6 months from tomorrow, but it will come.

[bikebloke]

51. At least you got a response - even if it was bad.

I've applied for jobs and they don't even send a rejection.

[dawg]

52. Keep looking.

You're still young enough.

But I do think you will be better off in the long-run with a job that won't require you to drive. Especially if it looks like you will have to work well past age 62 (which is basically all of us these days).

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

53. What is your field of study?

[lunatica]

54. If you're still working now then you can be patient and wait

for the right job to come along.

Did you get a professional to do your resume? You'd be surprised how good they can make you look.

Also, don't feel shy about calling the people who interviewed you and asking about the opening. You've got nothing to lose by doing that and you have everything to gain. I've gotten a couple of jobs because I called them and let them know I was very interested in working for them. At worst they'll tell you they picked someone else and then you can just move on without having to wait endlessly.

I'm sure you'll get a job soon.

[Generic Brad]

55. All it takes is one

It just hasn't found you yet. Focus on all the things you have to offer and all of your skills. Make a conscious effort to emphasize the positive. Just don't give up.

I see you have Bernie Sanders as your avatar. Does Bernie get discouraged? Does he listen to the nay sayers? Hell, no. He knows in his heart that he is the best person for the job he is seeking and no one can tell him otherwise. Be like Bernie and keep going for it! I have confidence that you will get where you want to go.

[Kali]

57. I feel like you are on the cusp of something happening.

hang in there, it just feels like you are going to have a door open or some "event" that will be the answer.

any thoughts about starting your own company?

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

58. There is a school of thought about getting a job that goes like this;

1- do some homework on where you want to work and what companies can use a person with your education, experience, skills and age. this can be based on the product, the vision, the values of the company. it could also be based on how far you want to commute.
2- once you identify this company, find out who has the power to hire you. ask everyone you know if they know anyone in this company. if they say yes, ask them to introduce you to that person.
3- get in front of the person who makes the decision. once you talk to the decision maker, you are in the right spot. All the other people in the process are just gatekeepers and they don't want to make a mistake.

Good Luck. Ageism does exist..........