What I'm doing wrong that I can't get a job? :( :( :(

[Eltano1]

The only thing that I want is to be able to work in a place where I can applied and shared my knowledge and learn what I don't know.
I'm not asking for a lot of money, my previous job was outsourced to Phillipinnes and I was making a decent salary (40K).
I have a Network +, A + and a Hep Desk Professional certifications, 3 years of college (one more year to get my BS in IT), and over 10 years of experience.
I went to various interviews with recruiters and some companies and still nothing after 2 months.
I don't know what else to do, I'm even thinking to change careers but at my age (50) is not an easy decision to make.
I will really appreciate any ideas, reccomendations or suggestions.

Eltano

 

[KMurphy]

In reality, it's your age. According to law, it's "there were more qualified applicants".

You're 50 and only 10 years experience?

 

[yllus]

You don't have a degree, and at your age it's a hard sell for a company to invest in you for the long term.

 

[SampSon]

You're too old for entry level tech positions.

Also many people who hire for IT want fresh young men with the ability to adapt quickly, endless amounts of energy/time, young and impressionable in business, generally accepted longer life span, cheaper to insure.

 

[Eltano1]

Actually is more than 10 years, I arrived to the USA in 1987 and started to get my hands on PCs 3 years later. In any way, that sucks.
Thanks for the reality check.

Eltano

 

[BCYL]

To put it bluntly:
There are plenty of people who has a college degree, same or more experience than you, and way younger than you... You have to ask yourself: what do I bring to the table these other people can't?

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: BCYL
To put it bluntly:
There are plenty of people who has a college degree, same or more experience than you, and way younger than you... You have to ask yourself: what do I bring to the table these other people can't?

best advice so far.



to the OP...find what makes you "special" and take that into account.

 

[Brutuskend]

Make sure your fly is zipped up next time you go in for an interview!

But seriously, good luck!!

 

[Vette73]

Get the degree ASAP. You might be a good fit for a lot of jobs but without a degree you will not get past HR and to the people that can tell what your real exp. is.

 

[Eltano1]

The funny thing is that I went for a second interview with three more candidates, way much younger than me and pure american (no like me), after two week waiting for any news from them, I see the add posted again. So what gives?

Eltano

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Eltano1
The funny thing is that I went for a second interview with three more candidates, way much younger than me and pure american (no like me), after two week waiting for any news from them, I see the add posted again. So what gives?

Eltano

It's you. Face it, but ive and learn.

Realize that you were not what they wanted, and that PERHAPS, you might not be able to give them what they need.

From there decide whether you are what you want to be and go get the degree/certs for it, or continue with your knowledge but look for more suitable jobs.

 

[duragezic]

I guess they just weren't too impressed with any of the candidates. Or there was more than 1 opening and wanted to see if any other people (more qualified than what they had seen thus far) would apply for.

Anyway, sorry to hear your bad luck.

Perhaps doing your last year for a degree in IT would be helpful. Sure you're getting old, but you'll be 51 soon enough, may as well be 51 with a degree. As said, this should get you in the door at more places.

Once in the door, I think you can show them how your experience is your strong point (and your certifications certainly can't hurt). Though you're older, show them you can pwn these hot-shot college grads. There's tons of college graduates who probably don't know jack and just try to play it up like they do. I'm in college and I hear that and I see it myself.

As a side note, the last couple of people hired where I'm interning at are 45-55 yrs old. I kinda wonder wtf they do actually, doesn't seem like a hell of a lot. This is a place where much of the new hires are young engineers right outta college with good grades. But anyway I guess the people hiring see them as valuable.

 

[randym431]

Many times you can get hired if you know someone.
Throw some names around (if you know anyone else in that field).
Or check with people you know or may have come across (in the same field)
to seek work where they work (are they hiring?).

Also, check with people in related fields to see if they know of any openings.

For example, if you are in the computer field in any scope, most computer hardware needs repair. Write letters or call the repair tech shops and see if they have heard of any openings (at the companies they service). Its amazing what they may have heard through the grape vine, at these sites.

You'll be surprised some "link" will lead to a job. And with a company that is not yet looking publically for people, but soon will be. You can have the edge.

Be creative. Dont just look in the want ad's. Many times, its "who you know" that gets your foot in the door.

Good luck!!!

 

[AlgaeEater]

At your age: Definitely going to jump on the degree bandwagon suggestion.

Most young college grads / almost grads like me tend to face opposite problems dealing with our young age and work experience. The sweet spot tends to be 25-30 with relavant work experience and a degree.

 

[everman]

Older employees are not friendly to some kinds of retirement plans and other benefits. Many companies may not hire you because of reasons related to that.
Older people are not as easily influenced as younger ones, generally speaking.

There are other reasons, most of which would seem to be not fair. Good luck. I would finish that degree too, I'm sure you'll find something. Perhaps you should work on your resume and interviewing skills.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
Make sure your fly is zipped up next time you go in for an interview!

But seriously, good luck!!

I knew you would notice.

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: Eltano1
The only thing that I want is to be able to work in a place where I can applied and shared my knowledge and learn what I don't know.
I'm not asking for a lot of money, my previous job was outsourced to Phillipinnes and I was making a decent salary (40K).
I have a Network +, A + and a Hep Desk Professional certifications, 3 years of college (one more year to get my BS in IT), and over 10 years of experience.
I went to various interviews with recruiters and some companies and still nothing after 2 months.
I don't know what else to do, I'm even thinking to change careers but at my age (50) is not an easy decision to make.
I will really appreciate any ideas, reccomendations or suggestions.

Eltano

I take it you speak another language? It might help to emphasize that, they don't come around too often but places looking for multi-lingual support staff are pretty desperate (I almost ended up working for PGP doing Japanese support)

 

[Eltano1]

Thanks you guys for all the ideas, suggestions and more important, your support.
I'm feeling kind of down today (I hate to be at home doing nothing) even though I'm a very optimist and positive person. I woke up so early in the morning for so long, doing what I like that is hard to change to this routine.
It's true that is who you know instead of what you know, and I will start networking that way (is something that I don't like to do). I will like to be hire for my own merits, but if I need to do it this way, so be it.
kami333, I'm fluent in two languages (I think I'm ), English and Spanish, and I can keep a conversation in portuguese as well.

Ok, will keep watching the game, and drinking a good red wine (Navarro Correa, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004) :wine: :thumbsup:

Eltano

 

[SampSon]

Originally posted by: Eltano1
The funny thing is that I went for a second interview with three more candidates, way much younger than me and pure american (no like me), after two week waiting for any news from them, I see the add posted again. So what gives?

Eltano

You need to really brush up on your job hunting/interviewing skills.
A follow-up call after that interview would have been one of the best things to do.
You didn't come off as very motivated to go after that job. Since you are at an age and skill set disadvantage you should display a very strong desire to these companies to be employed by them.

 

[Eltano1]

Sampson, I did that, with every single one of them, and they told me that the hiring person did not made any choice yet.

Eltano

 

[SampSon]

A second follow-up. Beyond that, you probably weren't qualified, or you were not a good choice for the position.

Mabey consider going into management.

 

[aswedc]

It could very well be your accent. Ask a native English speaker to evaluate it. I've known some people who've been here for over a decade, and can write very well, but are still essentially unintelligible when they speak until a few days after you've heard them for the first time.

 

[episodic]

Consider getting your degree. If you don't have a family, going back to school should be easy. Take out just enough loans. Take any old job (restaurant, etc). Finish your degree. Consider teaching/training. Most states have a non-traditional licensure program. Contact the state education board, and tell them you have a degree and want to teach business (this will lead to jobs teaching computer skills, etc).

Teaching doesn't have such an age bias. They are not going to outsource you. The income is steady.

 

[Eltano1]

Aswedc, I will not denied that I have an accent, but I was able to do my previous job for over 18 years, talking to the entire USA (GA, ALA, TN, rings a bell?) in a daily basis with not problems at all, I even have some users that loved talking to me because of my accent. I'm capable and able to communicate with not problem what so ever (don't take me wrong, I'm not mad about it ), the only thing that I want, is the chance to prove that I can do the job, that's all.

Eltano

 

[intogamer]

Relocate?