We had a potluck for ex-colleagues yesterday. So our plans initially called for about 20 which soon became 40 plus. Then only 18 showed up.
One of the biggest takeaways is only two among the invitees laid off that are older than 50 landed a new gig in their field.
Several in their 40s are still looking for work.
From what I heard in this small sample size, the chances of landed a job that pays like you had is nil.
I am interested in hearing about real experiences of people you know.
“ I don't want some young and inexperienced (read "green") representative to handle my retirement account”
This is a gold star comment. Wished I can pay you for this.
There really is nothing preventing us from telling businesses we need to see some older faces.
The job market has been terrible for the past 2.5 years and right now is the worst it's been during that period. Also, 90%+ of jobs posted on the Internet are fake. Mainly to meet regulatory requirements to renew an H1B or make a PERM filing for someone already in the role. In some cases for HR to do salary research to make sure they're not overpaying their people. Either way, not a role that they will hire someone for. Hang in there, work your network, and when you are in a position to help a former colleague please do so.
You can try and make the pervasive / prevalent age discrimination work your favor too. I have told Fidelity representatives that I don't want some young and inexperienced (read "green") representative to handle my retirement account. There is a deafening silence on the end of the phone, but they "get" it. If they can't do it, I walk away and take my business elsewhere. Most of the executives at these companies are not young jocks out of school, but more seasoned professionals. Money talks, BS walks. Sometimes, you have to set an example and fight fire with fire. Ageisim in the US is discrimination, pure and simple...and IBM under the " leadership" of Alvind, Rometty and Palmisano has actively practiced, promoted and encouraged it as the unwritten corporate policy. After all, none of these crooks is younger than 60...and in the next 20 years every one of them will be 6 foot under, whether they like it or not.
That sounds about right. One of our support guys who was in the business for 30 years is driving a truck doing oversized recycling runs. So next time you put your used bookcase outside by the curb, you might find that dude who once had 6 support engineers reporting to him picking up your junk.
That could be you in 5 months.