Being 50 and searching for a job

BaaLamb

Is a 50 year old at a disadvantage due to age when job hunting? Do companies prefer to hire bright young twenty somethings over a 50 year old?

bmwguy

BaaLamb wrote: »

Is a 50 year old at a disadvantage due to age when job hunting? Do companies prefer to hire bright young twenty somethings over a 50 year old?

Need much, much more info from you about what job you are looking for.

CEO/Financial Director type jobs, advantage 50 y/o

Charity fundraiser/chugger advantage college graduate

BaaLamb

bmwguy wrote: »

Need much, much more info from you about what job you are looking for.

CEO/Financial Director type jobs, advantage 50 y/o

Charity fundraiser/chugger advantage college graduate

Science background, went back to college to do PhD during the recession, has completed 4 years postdoc research and now looking for jobs in pharma / medical device industry. A lot of previous experience in varying roles but not in pharma / med device. Would be willing to go in a graduate level if necessary to gain experience in these sectors.

Does that provide enough info?

BaaLamb

BaaLamb wrote: »

Is a 50 year old at a disadvantage due to age when job hunting? Do companies prefer to hire bright young twenty somethings over a 50 year old?

If you think you are at a disadvantage then you are, however that has noting to do with the situation in reality. My husband got a new job aged 60 in the career he has worked in all his life. During the recession he went to London to work, qualification and experience count for more that age. Having said that there those appear to be a bit of an issue who those in their fifties who retrain trying to find a new job but only for some areas.

BaaLamb

BaaLamb wrote: »

Science background, went back to college to do PhD during the recession, has completed 4 years postdoc research and now looking for jobs in pharma / medical device industry. A lot of previous experience in varying roles but not in pharma / med device. Would be willing to go in a graduate level if necessary to gain experience in these sectors.

Does that provide enough info?

That must be very difficult have faith it will work out, what you are asking is a very specific question...not is it difficult for a 50 year old to get any job but is it difficult for someone in your very specific situation to get a job. Do you think age is the only reason you are not getting a job.

BaaLamb

mariaalice wrote: »

If you think you are at a disadvantage then you are, however that has noting to do with the situation in reality. My husband got a new job aged 60 in the career he has worked in all his life. During the recession he went to London to work, qualification and experience count for more that age. Having said that there those appear to be a bit of an issue who those in their fifties who retrain trying to find a new job but only for some areas.

Fair play to your husband, was he very senior in his career as that does seem to help.

The PhD was in the same field as the primary degree but obviously with a large gap in between when working. The idea of the PhD was to upskill with the aim of getting into R&D type roles but the sticking point now seems to be the lack of experience in the sectors that hire for R&D roles.

I should add that this situation relates to my husband and not me. I'm just very worried that his age is working against him as much as anything else.

livedadream

BaaLamb wrote: »

Science background, went back to college to do PhD during the recession, has completed 4 years postdoc research and now looking for jobs in pharma / medical device industry. A lot of previous experience in varying roles but not in pharma / med device. Would be willing to go in a graduate level if necessary to gain experience in these sectors.

Does that provide enough info?

depends on the company, a good recruiter with a bit of common sense will see someone who is educated- who was willing to upskill- with plenty of working experience.

hit up some of the pharma recruitment companies, go in suited and booted arrange a meeting and get them to reverse market you.

i work in a multi and we have a varied age demo. yes the tech heads tend to be younger (30 +) but we have people up and over 60 as well.

as long as your not letting it hold you back it wont: ie saying stuff like, i know im older in an interview or, i know i dont have much experience in pharma etc. youll be grand.

BaaLamb

BaaLamb wrote: »

Fair play to your husband, was he very senior in his career as that does seem to help.

The PhD was in the same field as the primary degree but obviously with a large gap in between when working. The idea of the PhD was to upskill with the aim of getting into R&D type roles but the sticking point now seems to be the lack of experience in the sectors that hire for R&D roles.

I should add that this situation relates to my husband and not me. I'm just very worried that his age is working against him as much as anything else.

I am curious did he not develop any contact that he could leverage while doing the phD, is there no one he could talk to informally about his situation or anyone who could get him a meeting with someone even just for a chat, meeting someone personalty can help.

bmwguy

BaaLamb wrote: »

Science background, went back to college to do PhD during the recession, has completed 4 years postdoc research and now looking for jobs in pharma / medical device industry. A lot of previous experience in varying roles but not in pharma / med device. Would be willing to go in a graduate level if necessary to gain experience in these sectors.

Does that provide enough info?

It's a tricky one, it will have to be graduate level I would say. Some recruiters will see the life experience as a bonus, others would prefer younger people. Who knows. Just get loads and loads of cvs out there

BaaLamb

mariaalice wrote: »

That must be very difficult have faith it will work out, what you are asking is a very specific question...not is it difficult for a 50 year old to get any job but is it difficult for someone in your very specific situation to get a job. Do you think age is the only reason you are not getting a job.

I honestly don't know why he has been unsuccessful thus far but it appears to be a combination of not having the right kind of specific experience and possibly his age. I'm just worried about the age thing particularly.

BaaLamb

mariaalice wrote: »

I am curious did he not develop any contact that he could leverage while doing the phD, is there no one he could talk to informally about his situation or anyone who could get him a meeting with someone even just for a chat, meeting someone personalty can help.

He has been to the University careers advice, met with two different career coach types for help on his CV. He has tried reaching out informally to people within the various sectors with very limited success. Clearly I'm also trying to gather information and help for him (Thanks to the boards.ie people who reached out previously). I read something last night that really triggered my latent concern about his age being an issue and that is why I posted this thread.

BaaLamb

bmwguy wrote: »

It's a tricky one, it will have to be graduate level I would say. Some recruiters will see the life experience as a bonus, others would prefer younger people. Who knows. Just get loads and loads of cvs out there

Thanks for the response. He is sending out CVs constantly, speaking to recruitment agencies daily and has been searching really intensively for the last 6 months. I'm despairing but then I am the family worry wart, he is pretty disheartened too but is sticking at it. I really hope people will see past his age.

Damien360

BaaLamb wrote: »

Science background, went back to college to do PhD during the recession, has completed 4 years postdoc research and now looking for jobs in pharma / medical device industry. A lot of previous experience in varying roles but not in pharma / med device. Would be willing to go in a graduate level if necessary to gain experience in these sectors.

Does that provide enough info?

I work in that industry visiting pharma/research/state sector big and small.

Big pharma labs would look a PhD and think he won't hang around. Nothing to do with your age whatsoever. They are mainly about pushing through analysis as cheap as possible. There are a few of them doing research in small departments. That should be your target there. It takes a very long time to work the ranks up to the level you want so entering at graduate level is not a great idea but not bad for experience.

As you have your PhD, what area did you do your post doc in and can you use that to find relevant industry for you. There are quite a few small companies doing research and they like taking PhD people. Relevant postdoc is always helpful.

Also, the state sector prefers PhD people particularly those that end up in court as it is never about evidence and always about the qualification. That sector is ramping up employment as the older generation are leaving in their droves.

Finally, stay away from the food sector. There are 3 that I would visit regularly doing interesting research work and the rest of them are a grind for the staff.

Where are you based as that will determine availability of employment in that sector.

Hollister11

Set up a Linkedin page and fill it out with every last detail about your skills, work experience, qualifications etc. A lot of companies search there for potential employees.

Also register with recruiters, who may have a job vacancy suitable for you to apply for.

BaaLamb

Damien360 wrote: »

I work in that industry visiting pharma/research/state sector big and small.

Big pharma labs would look a PhD and think he won't hang around. Nothing to do with your age whatsoever. They are mainly about pushing through analysis as cheap as possible. There are a few of them doing research in small departments. That should be your target there. It takes a very long time to work the ranks up to the level you want so entering at graduate level is not a great idea but not bad for experience.

As you have your PhD, what area did you do your post doc in and can you use that to find relevant industry for you. There are quite a few small companies doing research and they like taking PhD people. Relevant postdoc is always helpful.

Also, the state sector prefers PhD people particularly those that end up in court as it is never about evidence and always about the qualification. That sector is ramping up employment as the older generation are leaving in their droves.

Finally, stay away from the food sector. There are 3 that I would visit regularly doing interesting research work and the rest of them are a grind for the staff.

Where are you based as that will determine availability of employment in that sector.

Based on the south coast so lots of pharma about in particular. Post doc was a follow on from PhD and was in area of materials chemistry.

BaaLamb

Hollister11 wrote: »

Set up a Linkedin page and fill it out with every last detail about your skills, work experience, qualifications etc. A lot of companies search there for potential employees.

Also register with recruiters, who may have a job vacancy suitable for you to apply for.

Thanks. He already has a profile and uses it for networking.

Damien360

BaaLamb wrote: »

Based on the south coast so lots of pharma about in particular. Post doc was a follow on from PhD and was in area of materials chemistry.

There is one I haven't seen before. Really depends if you want lab work or not. I did it for 5 years (can be monotonous) and went to service sector. Don't just think it is lab work. Another weird anomaly of the pharma is very often line managers (in process manufacturing) have a PhD but not specifically in that field and are managers of a small group of people. Dont dismiss those jobs when you see them as it could be a way in. Sell the ability you have and not what you hope you have.

There is a wealth of companies that service the pharma sector. If you were trying to utilise the post doc then look to those supporting the chemical engineering companies. Have you used specific instruments that would be pertinent to that sector? Make sure those are on LinkedIn profile. The recruiters often target specific words in their search and I still get offers based on old content on my profile.

BaaLamb

Damien360 wrote: »

There is one I haven't seen before. Really depends if you want lab work or not. I did it for 5 years (can be monotonous) and went to service sector. Don't just think it is lab work. Another weird anomaly of the pharma is very often line managers (in process manufacturing) have a PhD but not specifically in that field and are managers of a small group of people. Dont dismiss those jobs when you see them as it could be a way in. Sell the ability you have and not what you hope you have.

There is a wealth of companies that service the pharma sector. If you were trying to utilise the post doc then look to those supporting the chemical engineering companies. Have you used specific instruments that would be pertinent to that sector? Make sure those are on LinkedIn profile. The recruiters often target specific words in their search and I still get offers based on old content on my profile.

At this stage he just wants a job and won't dismiss anything. Any pointers to smaller supplier companies or the service sector where they may recruit such skills would be most welcome. If you're allowed do that on here? Also happy for you to PM any useful information if you feel comfortable doing so.

Thanks again to everyone for their input.

Technocentral

I'm almost 50 and found it really difficult to even get an interview for video editing jobs, after almost 6 years unemployed gave up on video, they definitely prefer "young and fresh" in that industry, same for my mate who's in graphics, most of those offices are full of 20 somethings. I'm a low level public servant now, but glad to be working.

BaaLamb

Technocentral wrote: »

I'm almost 50 and found it really difficult to even get an interview for video editing jobs, after almost 6 years unemployed gave up on video, they definitely prefer "young and fresh" in that industry, same for my mate who's in graphics, most of those offices are full of 20 somethings. I'm a low level public servant now, but glad to be working.

You see this is what I fear, I think he isn't even getting interviews because they can see from his CV he is long in the tooth and they're afraid he won't work for entry level or graduate level rates. He just wants a job, I just want him to have a job.

I'm very glad to hear you are working again even if not in the industry you had hoped to work in. Thanks for your response.

lightspeed

Hey

Have you been in touch with any recruitment agencies?

A friend of mine in a completely different field said he sent out his cv about 18 times without a reply and then went to a recruitment agency.

They took a look at his cv, redesigned it and helped him get a much better paid job.

Just yesterday I contacted a recruitment agency who want to meet with me in person sometime next week.

Even if they cant directly find you a job, they may be best qualified to point you in the right direction.

Also not sure if you considered it or if there are any job openings, but would with your background I would imagine you would be a good candidate for college lecturing jobs in your field.

The_Conductor

One thing- its actually illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of their age (or on any of a long list of other grounds).

I was asked by one interviewer whether I considered my age to be an issue- and turned the question around- using it as an opportunity to upsell myself to the interview panel (the other member of whom looked aghast when their partner asked the age question out loud). I got that job- though I ended up quitting for different reasons altogether.

I also got work through a recruitment company (Grafton) which was, despite being graduate employement, complete and utter donkey work. I stayed two years- and leveraged the experience to get a better job elsewhere.

I'd go with the suggestion of approaching a recruitment company- however, I'd also suggest that a day with the likes of Carr Communications- could be money well spent.

Walter2016

There's a book you should get.

Career Detection by Brian McIvor

Its published by Management Briefs in Dublin and its essentially a condensed version of a a book called "What color is my parachute" by Richard Nelson Boles.

It gets you through a thought process about your skills and where your strength lies and then at the end of the process you find what career suits you best.

You can take it a step further and be advised by Management briefs too. - I don't have any connection, but I did read the book and had one meeting with them and was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. (I'm not far off 50 myself)

BaaLamb

lightspeed wrote: »

Hey

Have you been in touch with any recruitment agencies?

A friend of mine in a completely different field said he sent out his cv about 18 times without a reply and then went to a recruitment agency.

They took a look at his cv, redesigned it and helped him get a much better paid job.

Just yesterday I contacted a recruitment agency who want to meet with me in person sometime next week.

Even if they cant directly find you a job, they may be best qualified to point you in the right direction.

Also not sure if you considered it or if there are any job openings, but would with your background I would imagine you would be a good candidate for college lecturing jobs in your field.

Hi Lightspeed, thanks for your response. Yes he has been in touch with recruitment agencies but they have largely been useless. Some more useless than others. He has paid to have his CV looked at by two different people and feedback from the agencies has been that his CV looks good.

He has looked at lecturing but nothing suitable about although your suggestion prompted me to suggest he cold call the local IT and see if meeting them in person might not get him a couple of hours teaching. Networking seems to be the way to go and he is not a natural networker so on a bit of a steep learning curve with it right now.

BaaLamb

The_Conductor wrote: »

One thing- its actually illegal to discriminate against someone on the basis of their age (or on any of a long list of other grounds).

I was asked by one interviewer whether I considered my age to be an issue- and turned the question around- using it as an opportunity to upsell myself to the interview panel (the other member of whom looked aghast when their partner asked the age question out loud). I got that job- though I ended up quitting for different reasons altogether.

I also got work through a recruitment company (Grafton) which was, despite being graduate employement, complete and utter donkey work. I stayed two years- and leveraged the experience to get a better job elsewhere.

I'd go with the suggestion of approaching a recruitment company- however, I'd also suggest that a day with the likes of Carr Communications- could be money well spent.

It is difficult to prove it age that the issue unless someone is as obvious as the guy you mention. He has been telling the recruitment agencies he will take graduate level work if it is going, he just needs to get a leg in the door as it were. I'll look into Carr Communications, thanks for the tip.

BaaLamb

Walter2016 wrote: »

There's a book you should get.

Career Detection by Brian McIvor

Its published by Management Briefs in Dublin and its essentially a condensed version of a a book called "What color is my parachute" by Richard Nelson Boles.

It gets you through a thought process about your skills and where your strength lies and then at the end of the process you find what career suits you best.

You can take it a step further and be advised by Management briefs too. - I don't have any connection, but I did read the book and had one meeting with them and was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. (I'm not far off 50 myself)

Thanks a million for the name of that book, it is available online as an ebook so I will pass it on to my husband and hope he finds it helpful. We're not in Dublin so probably less likely to access the company you mention but I'm sure there is an equivalent near us. Thanks again.