| Topic Name: |
Job Searches |
| Message Name: |
overqualified/too old |
| Date Posted: |
02/05/2002 |
| In Reply To: |
B.S.
It has been one year since my last full-time job ended. Since then, I have had a few small contracts, and one permanent position that lasted two weeks before 60% of the company was cut, along with me. Without financial help from my family, I would probably be dead by now, cashing in my life insurance so my wife can survive.
Do you think that there is no one in the job market today who can keep to an agreement? Start by looking at employers. I know that when shareholders needs are considered first, obligations to workers go out the window. It does not matter what an employer says about the duration of a job: it ends as soon as the need ends and the bottom line is threatened.
Older employees are the most obvious target. I once worked for a jerk whose favorite saying was that there was nothing in engineering that could not be done by an engineer with five years experience. You be the judge of that adage.
When I hear about more companies that have held onto their staffs in spite of falling profits and market shares, and found inspired ways to utilize all their talents to bring innovative products to market in bad times, I will start to believe the line about disloyal overqualified new hires that jump ship at the first opportunity. |
| Message: |
Our culture values winners. Those on the way up. Not on the way down. We want stars not has-beens.
This is reality.
We older workers have a choice. Give up or work smart to overcome ignorance.
A very savvy salesman once told me "You can't sell to poverty or ignorance". So, why try.
I suggest that older, more experienced workers target privately held businesses. Most business owners are not great planners and usually find themselves reacting to challenges. They are only interested in people that can solve the problem - period.
Do not call, write or email them. Do research and make cold calls in person. In smaller companies, front office people may be relatives of the owner. It takes less than 30 seconds to say "Good morning, I'm a mechnical engineer. Do you have any job openings?"
I know that this approach is contrary to our current e-based world. That's why it can work. It takes time and effort. But it beats the disapointment and frustration of being told that you are overqualified or just plain unacceptable.
I hope this is useful information.
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