Hi friends,
I worked for a Fortune 100 company in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area for 25 years. Unfortunately through a mass layoff, my job was eliminated. I’ve been job hunting for over a year, made great connections, and have been told I have a great resume with relevant skills. I’m also in the midst of getting my Masters to expand my skill set. I’m casting my net wide, have had some interviews, and still no luck. I’m in marketing communications and can branch into marketing / project management. Any suggestions on how I can better stand out? I have a sneaking suspicion my years of service and experience may be a detriment, not a benefit. Thanks!
Natalia
Continuously Evolving
711
07/29/21 at 8:44PM UTC
Hello,
Just based off what you shared, I'd make some changes to your resume if you're including these don't have more than 10 years worth of roles on your resume. If you're professional summary, open line includes 25 years of experience take that out, revise it to whatever years of experience they're looking for. The 25 years comes with more of executive, VP type of roles or unless they specifically ask for 15+ years in the job description. So just keep it to what they're asking for. If you need further assistance on the resume or job search process, I offer serviced regarding this, you can see more of my background & testimonials at www.visionary-catalyst.com and feel free to email me at [email protected]
All the best!
Anonymous
07/29/21 at 1:17PM UTC
The cold hard truth is that companies don't want to pay for 25 years of accumulated wisdom and skills. Couple that with a prevailing bias that anybody over 45 is not tech savvy and unable to learn new tech skills results in a difficult job market for Gen X. It doesn't help that LinkedIn recently published a survey claiming 58% of job seekers over 45 are hesitant to get training. You can read what people on LinkedIn are saying about this study at https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/gen-x-may-shoulder-jobless-crisis-5098564/. Clearly you are not one of them as evidenced by your Masters pursuit. This study had an agenda as it was commissioned by an organization whose mission is to sell retraining programs. You can find the report at https://www.generation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Meeting-the-Worlds-Midcareer-Moment-July-2021.pdf. I know this is not encouraging but it's important to face facts head on.
I was in the the same boat as you. I was laid off last year after 25 years of marketing experience at blue chip companies. While job searching, I earned Google and other digital marketing certifications. I have an "All Star" LinkedIn profile. Recruiters told me I had a stellar resume. I networked my heart out and landed interviews. And yet time and time again I'd make it to the final round only to be rejected. I searched for over 6 months. I finally made a pivot and changed my resume to suit the job description of a Virtual Executive Assistant and landed a remote job with an entrepreneur who is now realizing that I'm way more than an EA. As a result I'm transforming the job to better fit my advanced skill sets. There is hope but it's riddled with obstacles.
Tracy Boucher
27
07/30/21 at 12:32AM UTC
Thanks for the ray of hope - congrats on landing!
Elisabeth
32
07/29/21 at 12:42PM UTC
I'm in my 50s, in marketing too, and recently worked with a career coaching service to really take a hard look at my CV and LI profile. As marketers, we often don't treat our own job searches like the campaigns they are - and the first rule is that our content has to be top-notch. My coach and writer completely re-did my documents so that they are accomplishment oriented, don't show my age but rather my experience, and are really on message. I recommend starting from there before reaching out to headhunters as you want to put your best foot (content!) forward to the market. Good luck!
Tracy Boucher
27
07/30/21 at 12:38AM UTC
Thanks for the info! I worked with Right Management for months, networking, taking classes, and worked with a professional on my resume. It's humbling and disheartening to know my years of service may actually be holding me back, but I'm working to be the most relevant me I can be.
Anonymous
07/29/21 at 2:39PM UTC
If you don't mind sharing the cost for this and the person who did it?? I'm similar and took a temporary job to keep myself busy. Now I need to spin in "consulting" so it shows I am working and growing and doing new things!!
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
21.95k
07/28/21 at 11:19PM UTC
Any experience over 10, 15 years needs to be lopped off the resume.
What are you doing in your job search? Where do you have your resume posted? How often are you updating those profiles? What does your LinkedIN look like? Do have it set to "open to work"?
Can your job be done remotely? If there's been any upside to covid, it's that employers are more willing than ever to consider remote employees. It could greatly expand your potential job pool. I just saw in my LI feed last week that I think it was Deloitte that just told all 20,000 emps that they can work from where ever.
GOOD LUCK!
Janelle Razz
17
07/28/21 at 7:51PM UTC
Anonymous- Your traditional background makes you a very hot commodity in today's hiring landscape, especially because of your tenure. Have you joined career type networks in your area? Target in on those companies that you wish to work for, find a contact that typically you would report to and reach out.
Mikal Ann ByrdCommunication Professional in Salt Lake City
148
07/28/21 at 7:16PM UTC
Congratulations on working toward your master's! That is an amazing accomplishment.
Sometimes it seems like corporations want to hire 25-year-old employees who have 10-15 years of experience despite that being a mathematical impossibility! Two suggestions: First, make sure your resume looks fresh and demonstrates that you are up to date with current communication trends. Take advantage of Maggie's offer to review it for you. Second, bite the bullet and look at recommendations and tips that the AARP makes for finding jobs when you are close to 50. One site they suggest using is https://www.workforce50.com/. Good luck and let us know when you land that dream job!
Michelle HannahPractice Development Manager
122
07/29/21 at 12:20PM UTC
Could not agree more with your comment about employers seeking 25 year olds with an impossible amount of experience! Love your other suggestions too! Good luck OP!
Maggie KrudwigTalent Acquisition
164
07/28/21 at 6:21PM UTC
Hi! I agree with Faith's comment that mock interviews and/or working with a headhunter can be helpful.
It might also be helpful to tailor your resume to the job you're applying for, down to mirroring the keywords in the job description on your resume (where applicable) .
I'm happy to review your resume or do a mock interview with you and provide feedback, if you'd like.
marySeasoned Corporate Recruiter
1.86k
07/29/21 at 12:22PM UTC
Tailoring your résumé to specific jobs that you apply for improves your odds, great advice it worked beautifully for me once I started to do that
Tracy Boucher
27
07/28/21 at 11:10PM UTC
Thanks Maggie! I sent you a request to connect. Would love your insights!
Tracy
Faith Saunders
131
07/28/21 at 5:41PM UTC
Hi, I am so sorry to hear what you've been going through. I cannot imagine how frustrating this has been.
Have you considered working with a headhunter? This may help you to broaden your reach as per perspective employers.
Also, have you done a mock interview? This could give you great insight into ways that you can enhance your interviewing that may increase your chances of getting hired.
Just a few thoughts .
Hope they help.
Regards,
Faith
Anonymous
07/29/21 at 2:37PM UTC
I'm 61, but wanting to work for years more, wanting to learn, wanting to help customers. I was laid off three years ago. I'm looking for a customers success, or customer success-adjacent role and I have tons of experience. I'm absolutely have relevant skills. I hope to find something in a good culture with appropriate compensation so in that way I've been picky. I understand and wish everyone in my situation the best. I'd love to connect with you and share approaches.
Head hunters: For some reason I've not figured out how to find a head hunter. This has been a gap in my job search. Could someone briefly advise me on where to look or how to look?
Many thanks!
