Older managers in their 40s and 50s may be hardest hit by the recession, but that doesn’t mean they’re simply caving in to the pressure of one of the toughest job markets in years. In fact, if the flood of comments that came in from last week’s post on older managers and the slump is to be believed, they’re coming up with innovative solutions and supporting each other all the way.
The situation can’t be sugar-coated though. From all reports things are bad out there with some blaming age discrimination. One older manager from the UK writes:
I can only (sadly) confirm from my own experience the problems facing over 50’s managers. In the UK ageism is illegal but the law is virtually unenforceable…. I have been invited to many interviews in the past 12 months but as the gray hair walks through the door the negativity of the interviewer(s) is palpable.
Reader tramsky concurs that “age discrimination is rampant,” while jad67 sees a disconnect between HR and the most experienced members of the applicant pool, noting that “the administration of corporate HR policies … is invariably in the hands of HR people in their 30s…. I suspect, altho’ I can’t prove, that HR leads in their 60s would put a different complexion on the phenomenon.”
So what’s to be done? As raptor123 points out, attitude is entirely within your control, saying “personal attitude and state of mind is essential to being successful.” But on top of simply advising the out of work to roll up their sleeves, readers also offered a variety of interesting pointers and comments, including:
- Seek opportunities to work as a consultant. As Patrice Hudson points out “consultants will always be around as companies want an experience level and a quick fix without having to hire a full-time employee.”
- You might not look like the stereotypical university student, but that shouldn’t stop you from considering a return to education. Emilwebb reports that “the smartest thing I did was to go back to University, the same year one of my kids was admitted.”
- JRS* takes issue with the previous post’s advice to be prepared to take a 15-30 percent pay cut with this admonishment: “Don’t be too quick to assume you need to take a pay cut to get a position, that’s saying your an old fart with not as much to offer so you need to discount.”
Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and tips.
(Image of gray hair by ericmcgregor, CC 2.0)
