I've been trying to find a new job for a few months now as I know my days at AT&T are most likely numbered, but I'm yet to get an interview. I'm a network engineer with extensive experience and yet nobody seems interested. Am I doing something wrong or is it really this hard for somebody over fifty to even be considered for a job?
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They only stone wall I ran into was trying to move to another org at ATT. Once I put my resume on line and applied for positions I got offers on my first 4 jobs I applied. People want knowledge and they appreciate your experience and you are not an expense item on a spreadsheet. But I did not have any contacts anymore in the company they all left or got sold to another company. But life goes on and my new gig i am making more money better benefits, they provide free coffee and free plastic wear to eat my lunch along with trash pickup and bathroom cleaning. I kept my skills up on my own on my own time and didn't really bother wasting my personal time on a nano or micro degree or whatever they were called. I still get emails for interviews from when i left good old T the job market is pretty hot where I live.
try again https://ghgcorp.applicantpro.com/jobs Antarctica jobs
They are looking for some network engineers in Antarctica.
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Get your resume re-written by a pro. They know how to word it to get past the computer and into the hands of humans (i.e. hiring managers).
Forget your current work skills. Reform your resume concentrating on your other skills, like management,people,ability to be accurate and any skills in IT and IT networking. Except a couple jobs at Sprint, which could be on the chopping block, not much demand for telecom engineers.
Maybe a location issue. I know someone that had to relocation to get a job as an system administrator. Didn't make didn't make sense, she supported systems in multiple data centers. They wanted her in a approve collab zone.
I was over 50 and working in the network side when I was surplused a few years ago. Just when I thought it wouldn't work out, I found a better paying job. I was unemployed less than 2 weeks.
It won't be easy but keep looking. Tweak your resume to highlight the skills that match the job descriptions.
If you don't already have them, earn the relevant industry certifications. They are valuable keywords that can help your resume make the cut.
It is very hard over 50 and nearly impossible over 60 to start over at a comparable job unless you have some networking connections to help you. Hopefully you saved up, paid off debts and invested wisely for an early retirement just in case.
Time to network like you never felt the need to before. If you have any time within the company, getting back in through the rear door (should an outsource or Surplus happen) is not totally impossible.
In my late 50’s, too young to retire and perhaps to old to push the age ceiling, I was surplussed three years ago and made it back two weeks shy of being out the door. If someone says “sorry, no room” then be aggressive....get two contacts from that refusal, then two from each of those. If you want to stay, don’t be shy, be a nuisance.....what’s the worst that happens?
If you’re number is approaching, then get ready for outside moves, but if you want to stay then get your black book ready.
Just keep plugging away. You’ll land somewhere. It’s all about networking. Don’t forget to check your local county and city government websites. They can probably use someone with your skill set. Government jobs are not the best paying but they have outstanding job security and even better medical and dental benefits.
You should be fine. One of my co-workers just landed a senior network engineer position at the age of 57.