64 and unemployed: One man's struggle to be taken seriously as a job applicant

Re:64 and unemployed: One man's struggle to be taken serious... by scarface74 on Monday January 28, 2019 @07:50PM (#19022695)

So did you try finding a job just in Silicon Valley on the West Coast at a FANG or did you expand your search? It’s hard to believe as hungry as people are for developers that no one in the entire US including remote work, contracting, or consulting would hire you assuming you had marketable skills.

I’m in my mid 40s, was just looking for a job last year and it took me two weeks and from the time I started looking until I had an offer.

That’s been about the speed for the last 10 years across 5 jobs.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:64 and unemployed: One man's struggle to be taken serious... by quicklyfrozen on Monday January 28, 2019 @08:50PM (#19022996)

In my experience, there's a pretty big difference between mid 40s and over 50. Companies may be hungry, but they've also become more selective.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:64 and unemployed: One man's struggle to be taken serious... by scarface74 on Monday January 28, 2019 @08:56PM (#19023021)

How will they tell the difference between if I am 45 and 50 before they make an offer? I haven’t put my date of college graduation on my resume since I was 35 and now I only put the last ten years worth of work experience.

Let’s say I’m back in the job market when I am 50 in 2024 and I just keep my experience from 2008 or 2012 depending on the company I am interviewing for.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:64 and unemployed: One man's struggle to be taken serious... by kamaal on Tuesday January 29, 2019 @01:47AM (#19024339)

>>How will they tell the difference between if I am 45 and 50 before they make an offer?

They have eyes, and age shows. Wrinkles, greying hair etc.

Its not that hard to spot old people.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:64 and unemployed: One man's struggle to be taken serious... by scarface74 on Tuesday January 29, 2019 @05:12AM (#19025181)

I’m not saying that it is hard to spot old people but the difference between 45 and 50 isn’t that great.

It wouldn’t have mattered either in my last two jobs or my current one since my managers were all older than I am. But, I don’t take any chances. I go to all my interviews clean shaven - bald head, and no facial hair specifically because of the ageism boogeyman. No one thinks twice about a Black guy with a bald head.

No I’m not saying that’s the answer for anyone else.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:64 and unemployed: One man's struggle to be taken serious... by ido on Tuesday January 29, 2019 @08:41AM (#19026152)

That was my plan if and when this becomes an issue for me. I'm 35 so I haven't yet (to my knowledge) experienced agism but if I'll live long enough I'm pretty sure I will still need to work for another 30+ years.

Anyway dying/shaving your hair etc will help you mask 50 vs 45, but when you're 60...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:64 and unemployed: One man's struggle to be taken serious... by giancarlostoro on Monday January 28, 2019 @09:19PM (#19023128)

Heck one of friends only puts the last 3 jobs he had on his resume, keeps it approachable.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:64 and unemployed: One man's struggle to be taken serious... by scarface74 on Monday January 28, 2019 @09:21PM (#19023137)

Given a choice, I’ll go straight W2 contracting or work for a consulting company after I leave my current job whenever that is.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:64 and unemployed: One man's struggle to be taken serious... by towaway1138 on Tuesday January 29, 2019 @12:26PM (#19028099)

Searched in four or five major cities. (Not SV, which is financially untenable for me.)

I'm sure there are numerically plenty of places that would hire me, but finding them is pretty arduous, esp since many of my declines were after all-day travel interviews to the opposite coast.

It's a big change from the past, when jobs would invariably just fall in my lap.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:64 and unemployed: One man's struggle to be taken serious... by scarface74 on Tuesday January 29, 2019 @12:55PM (#19028348)

I never understood the purpose of in person interviews at most companies for out of town candidates. It seems like it would make more sense for all involved just to do a video conference.

[ Parent | on HN ]