My Lucky Pants Worked !!
RazMan - 21/1/11 at 12:39 PM
After spending the last 15 years or so in self employment I recently decided that it was becoming too much of a slog and it was time to pack it all in
and get a proper job 
The main obstacle I found, was the fact that at 56 years old, I found myself competing with 30-somethings who had better
qualifications than me and were willing to work for peanuts. After 200 (yes really) job applications I felt quite disillusioned and wondered if I
would ever find someone willing to employ me. I was often told that I was 'over qualified' for the relatively junior positions that I was
applying for, but I could tell that they regarded me as an old fart that wouldn't fit in to their kindergarten business plan (ooh did that sound
bitter? )
Anyway I stuck my neck out and went for my first real interview with a bigger organisation since I was an apprentice in 1971 
It felt a bit strange
to be interviewed by guys half my age but hey ho. The interview went well on Wednesday and I just heard that I GOT THE JOB!!!
As from next month I am going back to my (apprentice served) roots and becoming a Telephone Engineer again after a 30 year gap.
Hooray for me! 
blakep82 - 21/1/11 at 12:45 PM
nice one 
hmm, telephone engineer, needing a new job myself, want a proper job too, fed up of horrible call centre/temp rubbish. might be something to try for
myself
good luck! hope you enjoy it
McLannahan - 21/1/11 at 12:45 PM
Great news Raz!
Mr Whippy - 21/1/11 at 12:46 PM
well done 200 is a hell of a lot of applications
I tailor each CV to the job I'm applying for as I have also in the past been told I was too qualified, so just show what is relevant to the job
an skirt over with little detail any experience that could seem too much.
[Edited on 21/1/11 by Mr Whippy]
bbwales - 21/1/11 at 12:47 PM
Congratulations Raz, still plenty of life in us old uns.
Bob
imp paul - 21/1/11 at 12:47 PM
nice to see some good news well done hope it goes well for you happy days all the best paul
omega0684 - 21/1/11 at 12:56 PM
so do you have to move to India for the role?
MikeRJ - 21/1/11 at 12:58 PM
I'll give you an interview tip; don't wear your lucky pants on your head next time
Congratulations, must be a huge relief after such a slog.
stevegough - 21/1/11 at 01:02 PM
Well done ye old beggar - yer even older than me!
nick205 - 21/1/11 at 01:05 PM
Great News Raz - congratulations and I hope it pans out well for you.
martyn1137 - 21/1/11 at 01:06 PM
Well done, any chance you could get me more than 1 dodah of broadband to my home! Its painfully slow!
Guinness - 21/1/11 at 01:24 PM
Nice one!
Irony - 21/1/11 at 02:43 PM
Its a shame that age so often is an issue for getting a new job. At 56 depending on when you intend to retire you have at least 8 years left working.
I work with a lot of so called modern fast paced marketing companies and they are lucky if their staff stop around for 8 months let alone 8 years. I
think its a tad short sighted of employers to think age is a problem in your age bracket.
I do a reasonable amount of interviews and if you said 'I am 64'. Then age might be a issue.
Good luck with the new job!
dan8400 - 21/1/11 at 03:17 PM
Well done Raz and good luck. Age is just a number...
Messing around with cars keeps you young
Dan
Daddylonglegs - 21/1/11 at 04:13 PM
Wel done that man. 10/10 for persistence. I wonder how many of the younger generation would have been really disillusioned by lots of turned-down
applications? (Not having a dig at you younger guys ).
Maybe there is hope for me yet then when our company finally decide they are top-heavy?
Anyway, seeing as you are a telephone engineer, can you come and upgrade my local x-change to fiber so we can get proper braodband please
gottabedone - 21/1/11 at 05:19 PM
Great news Raz!
You're never too old matey!
Steve
Ninehigh - 21/1/11 at 05:38 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Irony
I work with a lot of so called modern fast paced marketing companies and they are lucky if their staff stop around for 8 months let alone 8 years. I
think its a tad short sighted of employers to think age is a problem in your age bracket.
I'm 31, the longest I've ever stuck at a job is 5 years. I now have to completely skip jobs in order to keep it down to 2 pages. If anyone
tells me that being in my 50's is a concern I'd say "Why, you think I might drop dead or something? Oh I've only got about 10
years left in me? Can you see any job I've stuck at that long?"
Confused but excited. - 21/1/11 at 05:55 PM
Congratulations!
Did they tell you that they don't use electric waves anymore? it's all gone quantum!
Good luck Raz.