Late age job change advice (1 Viewer)

[pacman_fl]

#pointtotheshirt or legit help will be appreciated. My therapist has his hands full.

I was a senior manager for over 25 years and a small unit holder in my last company (small business) that was purchased 2 years ago (not even remotely life changing money).

After the acquisition, I had to "find a job" in the new organization (it's VERY large) and I ended up in project management as there was nothing else. I just finished a big project that, ironically, finalized the integration of my former platform with the new company.

Many/ most of the former human resources have been job eliminated (some deployed, others severed). The writing is on the wall here as I have lived these. The problem is I'm in my late 50s now and queries to industry peers and resumes have led to deadends for 2 years. GO!

 

[ChiefD]

What does your financial situation look like in terms of retirement and savings and such? Like, on track to retire in the next few years? 10 years til retirement?

Just curious because I think that could determine what direction to go in since you are later in your employment life.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

What does your financial situation look like in terms of retirement and savings and such? Like, on track to retire in the next few years? 10 years til retirement?

Just curious because I think that could determine what direction to go in since you are later in your employment life.

This was my immediate reaction, too. If I lost my job tomorrow, I would probably just bite the bullet and retire a few years early -- I'm looking at four-year window anyway, and it's not worth it to change careers just for that. But if were planning on working until I was 65, that would be a totally different situation.

Good luck, @pacman_fl -- I'm sure its tough out there for people our age.

 

[belljr]

Sorry about the small unit

 

[Joe Bryant]

This may be way too basic or woo woo so feel free to disregard if not helpful.

But I saw this recently and it might have some "big picture" value.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_N4Bt9p7cs/?igsh=bm1kdzI0ajJ0d2t4

3 questions

1. What filled me with enthusiasm today?
2. What drained me of energy today?
3. What did I learn about myself today?

After 30 days, block off an hour and go through all these.

Then ask:

1. What filled me with enthusiasm this month ?
2. What drained me of energy this month?
3. What did I learn about myself this month?

Regardless, good luck in this @pacman_fl

 

[pacman_fl]

What does your financial situation look like in terms of retirement and savings and such? Like, on track to retire in the next few years? 10 years til retirement?

Just curious because I think that could determine what direction to go in since you are later in your employment life.

If I weren't worried about losing the job, I could probably retire at 63 except for the insurance issue (my wife and I have some concerns there). Otherwise, I am probably looking at 65 investment dependent. House, car, and all non-monthly standard expenses will be paid within the next 4-5 years depending on what I decide on home improvement.

 

[zoobird]

How old are you now?

And, somewhat related to ChiefD's question about whether you COULD retire...do you WANT to retire as soon as you can, or are someone who would prefer to keep working?

Did your previous experience give you expertise in any niche industry, subject matter or process?

 

[pacman_fl]

58. If I could realistically retire tomorrow, I'm gone. I'm content watching my grandkids grow up & have an event here and there. But, there are medical concerns and I worry about senior care for my parent. I was in a niche industry, but I have been a Director/VP of Operations role of 100+ up to 375 FTE. Also had some industry specific roles that were unique and are hard to find and I have a decent network. But, I was in a different part of the industry than what's hiring. To me, skills and experience are transferable and immeasurable.

 

[Gally]

58. If I could realistically retire tomorrow,

Sounds like you are 5 to 7 years from your planned retirement date. Might be a bit of stretch to start tomorrow but it might not be a bad idea to actually seriously crunch the number and see if it is possible. If it is somewhat possible, worse case scenario could be a soft retirement where you aren't pressed to find a job so you can do so at your leisure and find something you enjoy. If you don't need to be in a hurry you can likely find something you like.

 

[The Z Machine]

Would you consider relocating?

 

[The Z Machine]

Could you work in a lower level position without direct reports? Might be hard to sell that to a new employer, but I think if you couch it as, "I want to be fulfilled in my work" that might be best.

I wonder if a non-profit could use a guy like you with experience. Sure you might have to take a big pay cut, but you'll still get the health benes.

 

[pacman_fl]

@The Z Machine - no to relocation. With the grandkids, my wife isn't letting that happen and she shouldn't. I don't have direct reports now. I could stay in project management, but I hate it and I'm not a traditional PM; more company dependant. Good thoughts there though. Thank you much.

 

[Brony]

Sorry about the small unit

laughing reaction

 

[SpurrierisisGod]

Where are you located? PM is good on the resume but is also something that doesn't rope you in to just that kind of position.

 

[Judge Smails]

What’s your ideal role? Ideal sector? If I knew the writing was on the wall I’d pretty much make getting another job my full time job right now. Happy to connect on LinkedIn and forward roles that I get in my network.

 

[FairWarning]

I’m in the same boat as the OP. We are a small family-owned business with three employees and the owner is 70. He can sell anytime, we expect it in the next year or so. I’ll be lucky to retire at 69-70. Scares and depresses me as insurance costs alone is a major deterrent in hiring someone older.

 

[zoobird]

I’m in the same boat as the OP. We are a small family-owned business with three employees and the owner is 70. He can sell anytime, we expect it in the next year or so. I’ll be lucky to retire at 69-70. Scares and depresses me as insurance costs alone is a major deterrent in hiring someone older.

What kind of business?

 

[zoobird]

I was in a niche industry

You may be able to use this to your advantage. My experience as I age (54 now) is that people seem to be less interested in hiring for me for full-time permanent roles than they should be. But they don't generally have any hesitation about hiring me as a part time consultant. During gaps between full-time roles, I've generally been able to get multiple consulting roles that add to more or less full-time work.

The consulting work is generally not for posted job openings. My 'sales process' has essentially been to reach out to people within my niche industry (particularly those with relatively new companies). They couldn't afford to hire me for full-time work, but immediately recognize the value that my expertise can bring them. Process has generally been:

• Connect on LinkedIn (about a 35% success rate, even without writing a note on the connection invitation)
• Send them a message thanking them for connecting, with one paragraph explaining the relevant parts of my background, a second paragraph with some kind of message relevant to their business - could be thoughts about the concept, something very specifically relevant that I've seen, or a really insightful question - and then final paragraph suggesting that we have call because I'd like to learn more about what they're doing and am happy to share my thoughts.
• It's often clear by the end of that initial call that there's a consulting opportunity

I realize a lot of this is dependent on the specific industry and other factors, but would suggest considering whether it's worth a try. Happy to answer any questions that you have.

 

[FairWarning]

I’m in the same boat as the OP. We are a small family-owned business with three employees and the owner is 70. He can sell anytime, we expect it in the next year or so. I’ll be lucky to retire at 69-70. Scares and depresses me as insurance costs alone is a major deterrent in hiring someone older.

What kind of business?

Wholesaler/distributor

 

[pacman_fl]

Where are you located? PM is good on the resume but is also something that doesn't rope you in to just that kind of position.

Omaha. I have sent resumes in for the jobs that are here and am willing to go back into the office (currently WFH). I had one local interview and I knew it was a no go right from the start with the two interviewers.

 

[pacman_fl]

What’s your ideal role? Ideal sector? If I knew the writing was on the wall I’d pretty much make getting another job my full time job right now. Happy to connect on LinkedIn and forward roles that I get in my network.

I was in a senior roles in collections and call centers, as well as credit and risk. I am up to date on the technology and the regulatory aspects. I think the two things that companies "see"/"don't see" are my age (though I make sure my resume only back to about 2004) and I don't have a degree (with 30 years of experience in that industry, ,who needs one?). I have been networking like crazy, texting and calling everyone I know, looking at every site I know. Here's my LinkeIn, I'd welcome any new contacts: www.linkedin.com/in/paul-cook-01217710

 

[pacman_fl]

Thanks for all of the advise so far and everyone who has reached out. You all are awesome. @FairWarning Good luck to you *** well.

 

[supermike80]

Similar feelings here. Job is fairly secure(for now). But I am 57. IF something were to happen, I could probably retire early....However I think there are good jobs out there for folks my age. Especially with the generations following us n the market

 

[Gally]

I don't have a degree (with 30 years of experience in that industry, ,who needs one?).

Unfortunately many larger companies will require a degree for many of their openings. This is generally not negotiable but can be negotiated in as a condition of employment (must get a degree in X years type of thing).

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Excellent thread topic BTW, I will be keeping an eye on this one

 

[Judge Smails]

Age discrimination is very real. Make sure your resume paint you in the best light. Remove ancient jobs, don’t put dates on degrees, ensure formatting is new school vs old school

 

[tri-man 47]

@pacman_fl , given your work with projects/operations: Maybe think about opportunities in the operational side of education. I've worked at universities for the past near-40 years. What I've seen is that when they need an operations manager or project manager of some sort, they often hire someone "from industry." So if you can find a college/university, for example, that needs someone to oversee operations (maybe labelled as Physical Plant), you might consider it. A larger school might have someone managing their construction/building improvement projects (...their capital budget).

 

[The Iguana]

58. If I could realistically retire tomorrow,

Sounds like you are 5 to 7 years from your planned retirement date. Might be a bit of stretch to start tomorrow but it might not be a bad idea to actually seriously crunch the number and see if it is possible. If it is somewhat possible, worse case scenario could be a soft retirement where you aren't pressed to find a job so you can do so at your leisure and find something you enjoy. If you don't need to be in a hurry you can likely find something you like.

If I end up in this scenario in the near future, it is the path I would take. At some point, I hope it is the path I take voluntarily. I haven't quite been ready to take the leap yet, but I have started counting down the days to "semi-retirement". I'll still work, just doing something more for enjoyment that will likely involve a significant pay cut. There's a number of paths one can take to do this pretty easily, just depends on the types of things you like to do. That assumes you have stuff in place for actual retirement being somewhere in the not too distant future.

 

[The Z Machine]

Age discrimination is very real. Make sure your resume paint you in the best light. Remove ancient jobs, don’t put dates on degrees, ensure formatting is new school vs old school

What's new school formatting?

 

[Anarchy99]

As always, I am here for peeps that need resume help.

 

[pacman_fl]

As always, I am here for peeps that need resume help.

I'll attest, I received the best advise I have received in years right here. Thanks again.

 

[ChiefD]

Age discrimination is very real. Make sure your resume paint you in the best light. Remove ancient jobs, don’t put dates on degrees, ensure formatting is new school vs old school

What's new school formatting?

Using wingdings instead of Times New Roman.

 

[Al Czervik]

Age discrimination is very real. Make sure your resume paint you in the best light. Remove ancient jobs, don’t put dates on degrees, ensure formatting is new school vs old school

Very true. My wife just went through this at age 54/55 after 30 years in HR at one of the "Big 3" automakers. She was applying for positions where she could have been doing the job of her manager and still not getting hired. "Over qualified" was the term frequently used to tell her she was too old. After about a 1.5 year search, she finally found a job. Pay is a little over half of what she used to make, but her stress level is low and she has great flexibility in a work from home role.

One thing her resume service told her to help her not "look old", is to use a gmail account. She was using Yahoo, and they said to open a gmail for her search.

 

[jwb]

Age discrimination is very real. Make sure your resume paint you in the best light. Remove ancient jobs, don’t put dates on degrees, ensure formatting is new school vs old school

What's new school formatting?

focus on skills / accomplishments, and avoid just having the standard "here's my duties at this company"

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

Age discrimination is very real. Make sure your resume paint you in the best light. Remove ancient jobs, don’t put dates on degrees, ensure formatting is new school vs old school

Very true. My wife just went through this at age 54/55 after 30 years in HR at one of the "Big 3" automakers. She was applying for positions where she could have been doing the job of her manager and still not getting hired. "Over qualified" was the term frequently used to tell her she was too old. After about a 1.5 year search, she finally found a job. Pay is a little over half of what she used to make, but her stress level is low and she has great flexibility in a work from home role.

One thing her resume service told her to help her not "look old", is to use a gmail account. She was using Yahoo, and they said to open a gmail for her search.

So true. I email some guys with aol accounts. I instantly peg them for 60+ years old.

 

[pacman_fl]

Age discrimination is very real. Make sure your resume paint you in the best light. Remove ancient jobs, don’t put dates on degrees, ensure formatting is new school vs old school

I was going to include my Onlyfans account in the header but @Anarchy99 told me that was bad business. Not only am I fighting ageism, I have sexism going on now too.

 

[Anarchy99]

Age discrimination is very real. Make sure your resume paint you in the best light. Remove ancient jobs, don’t put dates on degrees, ensure formatting is new school vs old school

I was going to include my Onlyfans account in the header but @Anarchy99 told me that was bad business. Not only am I fighting ageism, I have sexism going on now too.

I kid you not that I once had a client whose email address was 38DDsandstacked at yahoo dot com. She didn’t understand why I told her she needed a more professional email address. And yes, she had a side hustle to earn some extra cash to pay her bills.

 

[Beef Ravioli Part 2]

Age discrimination is very real. Make sure your resume paint you in the best light. Remove ancient jobs, don’t put dates on degrees, ensure formatting is new school vs old school

I was going to include my Onlyfans account in the header but @Anarchy99 told me that was bad business. Not only am I fighting ageism, I have sexism going on now too.

I kid you not that I once had a client whose email address was 38DDsandstacked at yahoo dot com. She didn’t understand why I told her she needed a more professional email address. And yes, she had a side hustle to earn some extra cash to pay her bills.

Her email is going to blow up now with FFA freaks!

 

[Nugget]

What’s your ideal role? Ideal sector? If I knew the writing was on the wall I’d pretty much make getting another job my full time job right now. Happy to connect on LinkedIn and forward roles that I get in my network.

I was in a senior roles in collections and call centers, as well as credit and risk. I am up to date on the technology and the regulatory aspects. I think the two things that companies "see"/"don't see" are my age (though I make sure my resume only back to about 2004) and I don't have a degree (with 30 years of experience in that industry, ,who needs one?). I have been networking like crazy, texting and calling everyone I know, looking at every site I know. Here's my LinkeIn, I'd welcome any new contacts: www.linkedin.com/in/paul-cook-01217710

I'd look automotive - many came up through dealerships without degrees. Woodhouse and Baxter are both based out of Omaha and have corporate type poisitions.

 

[Judge Smails]

Age discrimination is very real. Make sure your resume paint you in the best light. Remove ancient jobs, don’t put dates on degrees, ensure formatting is new school vs old school

What's new school formatting?

Removing address, hotmail type email addresses etc from header. References upon request lingo. Outdated fonts. Jobs from 20 years ago. All of that screams old

 

[Harry Frogfish]

I always remember and think about wikkid's advice (RIP) that if you don't do it by 55, it ain't happening. It's surprisingly true, to me anyway. Crazy, to think about how accurate, more or less, that timeframe is.

Someone here probably has a link to that thread/topic. Well done, as usual wikkid, wherever you may be....thanks.

 

[zoobird]

I always remember and think about wikkid's advice (RIP) that if you don't do it by 55, it ain't happening. It's surprisingly true, to me anyway. Crazy, to think about how accurate, more or less, that timeframe is.

Someone here probably has a link to that thread/topic. Well done, as usual wikkid, wherever you may be....thanks.

I think this varies a lot from person to person.

There's an internet meme that talks about some of the people who have started things really old. Jim Simons became (arguably) the greatest investor of all-time...was just getting started in his 50s. Stan Lee's name is almost synonymous with Marvel Comics...was very early in his career in the 50s. Ray Kroc owned McDonalds (and sports teams) for decades...just getting started in his 50s. Obviously none of those are typical, but there are plenty of smaller scale exceptions.

 

[pacman_fl]

What’s your ideal role? Ideal sector? If I knew the writing was on the wall I’d pretty much make getting another job my full time job right now. Happy to connect on LinkedIn and forward roles that I get in my network.

I was in a senior roles in collections and call centers, as well as credit and risk. I am up to date on the technology and the regulatory aspects. I think the two things that companies "see"/"don't see" are my age (though I make sure my resume only back to about 2004) and I don't have a degree (with 30 years of experience in that industry, ,who needs one?). I have been networking like crazy, texting and calling everyone I know, looking at every site I know. Here's my LinkeIn, I'd welcome any new contacts: www.linkedin.com/in/paul-cook-01217710

I'd look automotive - many came up through dealerships without degrees. Woodhouse and Baxter are both based out of Omaha and have corporate type poisitions.

That's an interesting angle. I appreciate the suggestion and will definitely look that way. Tangent, but I've considered pivoting to sales because I have the soft skills but maintaining my salary level scares me. If any sales guys see this and have thoughts.

 

[Anarchy99]

What’s your ideal role? Ideal sector? If I knew the writing was on the wall I’d pretty much make getting another job my full time job right now. Happy to connect on LinkedIn and forward roles that I get in my network.

I was in a senior roles in collections and call centers, as well as credit and risk. I am up to date on the technology and the regulatory aspects. I think the two things that companies "see"/"don't see" are my age (though I make sure my resume only back to about 2004) and I don't have a degree (with 30 years of experience in that industry, ,who needs one?). I have been networking like crazy, texting and calling everyone I know, looking at every site I know. Here's my LinkeIn, I'd welcome any new contacts: www.linkedin.com/in/paul-cook-01217710

I'd look automotive - many came up through dealerships without degrees. Woodhouse and Baxter are both based out of Omaha and have corporate type poisitions.

That's an interesting angle. I appreciate the suggestion and will definitely look that way. Tangent, but I've considered pivoting to sales because I have the soft skills but maintaining my salary level scares me. If any sales guys see this and have thoughts.

You may be able to break in to sales, but I don’t see any way you would come close to making what you are accustomed to. I still think you are well positioned to pursue what you’ve been doing for years . . . you just need to do a better job branding and marketing yourself.

 

[beer 30]

Age discrimination is very real. Make sure your resume paint you in the best light. Remove ancient jobs, don’t put dates on degrees, ensure formatting is new school vs old school

What's new school formatting?

Using wingdings instead of Times New Roman.

Wait, when did this happen? My life is a lie!

Side note - I'm about your age. I just looked at my Social Security take depending on when I retire. I don't work a physical job so not worried about body breaking down other than just old age, enjoy what I do and we have precedent within the company that you can work until you don't want to work. My target retirement is 70 but we'll see. It sneaks up on you fast.

 

[Gally]

My target retirement is 70

Wow. Much different than my target. i couldn't imagine working for that long. That just seems crazy to me as a target.

 

[beer 30]

My target retirement is 70

Wow. Much different than my target. i couldn't imagine working for that long. That just seems crazy to me as a target.

Yea but I like what I do. Makes a huge difference. It's not physically taxing, some mental hurdles every once in a while but nothing that is tearing my body apart so why not? Besides, I can't really afford to retire right now. 10 years is a good runway for me.

 

[Gally]

My target retirement is 70

Wow. Much different than my target. i couldn't imagine working for that long. That just seems crazy to me as a target.

Yea but I like what I do. Makes a huge difference. It's not physically taxing, some mental hurdles every once in a while but nothing that is tearing my body apart so why not? Besides, I can't really afford to retire right now. 10 years is a good runway for me.

I like what I do and it's not physically taxing either but I would much prefer to not have to do it and do what I want when I want. Not being able to afford starting retirement is different than being able to and choosing to continue to work to 70.

Good on you that you are all for it.

 

[FairWarning]

What’s your ideal role? Ideal sector? If I knew the writing was on the wall I’d pretty much make getting another job my full time job right now. Happy to connect on LinkedIn and forward roles that I get in my network.

I was in a senior roles in collections and call centers, as well as credit and risk. I am up to date on the technology and the regulatory aspects. I think the two things that companies "see"/"don't see" are my age (though I make sure my resume only back to about 2004) and I don't have a degree (with 30 years of experience in that industry, ,who needs one?). I have been networking like crazy, texting and calling everyone I know, looking at every site I know. Here's my LinkeIn, I'd welcome any new contacts: www.linkedin.com/in/paul-cook-01217710

I'd look automotive - many came up through dealerships without degrees. Woodhouse and Baxter are both based out of Omaha and have corporate type poisitions.

That's an interesting angle. I appreciate the suggestion and will definitely look that way. Tangent, but I've considered pivoting to sales because I have the soft skills but maintaining my salary level scares me. If any sales guys see this and have thoughts.

You may be able to break in to sales, but I don’t see any way you would come close to making what you are accustomed to. I still think you are well positioned to pursue what you’ve been doing for years . . . you just need to do a better job branding and marketing yourself.

What skills are people looking for in sales now, especially computer slills?

 

[Judge Smails]

What’s your ideal role? Ideal sector? If I knew the writing was on the wall I’d pretty much make getting another job my full time job right now. Happy to connect on LinkedIn and forward roles that I get in my network.

I was in a senior roles in collections and call centers, as well as credit and risk. I am up to date on the technology and the regulatory aspects. I think the two things that companies "see"/"don't see" are my age (though I make sure my resume only back to about 2004) and I don't have a degree (with 30 years of experience in that industry, ,who needs one?). I have been networking like crazy, texting and calling everyone I know, looking at every site I know. Here's my LinkeIn, I'd welcome any new contacts: www.linkedin.com/in/paul-cook-01217710

I'd look automotive - many came up through dealerships without degrees. Woodhouse and Baxter are both based out of Omaha and have corporate type poisitions.

That's an interesting angle. I appreciate the suggestion and will definitely look that way. Tangent, but I've considered pivoting to sales because I have the soft skills but maintaining my salary level scares me. If any sales guys see this and have thoughts.

You may be able to break in to sales, but I don’t see any way you would come close to making what you are accustomed to. I still think you are well positioned to pursue what you’ve been doing for years . . . you just need to do a better job branding and marketing yourself.

What skills are people looking for in sales now, especially computer slills?

All the basic PC skills, Microsoft Office, CRM (Salesforce) are 95% of it