Finally have work!!!!!!

[freemay20]

Whew,,, being over 50 and day after day applying and searching for three years, I almost fell over when I received a phone call, two days earlier than expected, and was offered a job opportunity. WOW, just trying to take it all in. Over 3000 resume's sent out and more "interviews" than I can remember, I actually got a call back. It has been very tough the last year or so to just try to keep pushing on. Do employers know the amount of doubt, sadness and disappointment they throw upon people? I think not! I mean, I get it, I am over 50 but does that deserve to be left hanging 90% of the time? Waiting endless days for that supposed call back to let you know if you have made the final cut, only to hear nothing until you call them back time after time and then finally hearing the unfortunate news.
I am not trying to go on and on about negative things when for me, this is a joyous day. The point I am making is that all the hours I have put in, all the effort, all the paperwork, interviews, and tests to see if I am psychologically fit enough for that 10 dollar an hour job; has paid off. It may not be the A-1 position I was waiting for, but damn, someone is going to give me a chance to EARN a living.

I know there are many people in the same position I was in before today. I know it feels like you are on that hamster wheel, spinning and spinning, wondering if you should just get the hell off. I didn't. I kept trying and pushing and presented myself every time with confidence and positive attitude. IT PAID OFF! To all those that are in the position I was in, hold your head high, believe in yourself, do not let others get you down, and keep fighting. What seem to be miracles can happen. I wish everyone the best and I will keep those looking for work in my heart and thoughts every hour I work. I will be working for all of us out there that feel we are being pushed to the side. Don't be pushed to the side, push forward and forge your own future through diligence. It has, finally, worked for me.

[geckosfeet]

1. Congrats. Very happy for you. Good job getting hired!

Take a break before it starts if you have couple days. Just relax and breath!

[freemay20]

5. Thank you

I know, hard to even breathe at this time.. trying to just lay back and relax as I have a few days before I start.

[RKP5637]

2. Congratulations! That's great news to hear!

[livetohike]

3. Congratulations!

Hope your new job is satisfying and fun . Way to go

[redwitch]

4. I am very glad for you!

Smart employers recognize that experience counts for something.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. Congrats, my dear freemay20!

You did it, and wow, how good is that?

You can probably hardly believe it...

Your new boss saw something s/he liked!

I hope the job is really a good one, and permanent to boot.

[sheshe2]

7. Congratulations to you, freemay!

DU

[Honeycombe8]

8. Congratulations!!!! That company made a wise choice.

My company specializes in hiring middle aged and older workers. It has worked out well.

Older workers don't miss work as much, know how to do basic things because of experience, get along with coworkers better.

My company hired a number of older workers after the recession hit, when business started picking up. They got them at reduced salaries, so they got all that experience for a fraction of what they are worth. That's okay. The people got jobs with benefits!

I should know...I was one of those who was hired! I was so surprised! I had a Plan B, which I figured I'd have to use. But I got a job relatively soon (I have a specialized job, so that helps a lot, I think).

Congratulations!

[OneGrassRoot]

9. Huge K&R!

Congrats. You deserve good things.

[cal04]

10. Congratulations! That's great!!

[usGovOwesUs3Trillion]

11. Congratulations freemay20

You got real GRIT, and deserve nothing less than $20 an hour, and in a just world 10 x more!

[badhair77]

12. What a relief.

We know that feeling in our household. I'm so happy for you and wish you the best. Congrats.

[Beacool]

13. Congratulations!!!

All your hard work has finally paid off. It must give you such a sense of relief to finally have a job. I'm happy for you.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

14. Wonderful news, freemay20

You've gone from the hamster wheel to back in the saddle again!

Your writing is beautiful, so there's no doubt you did a great job of presenting yourself in person, too. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if you get a few call-backs in the future from previous places you applied. Smarts and experience DO count, and your new employer had the sense to grab you right up.

I see a raise coming your way in the not-too-distant future.

CONGRATULATIONS and very best wishes in your new position.

[WinstonSmith4740]

15. Good for you!

Congrats! Nothing sucks as much as being unemployed. VERY happy for you.

[JackN415]

16. Congrats

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

17. Awesome! Congrats!

Took me 3 years. Not good times.

Very happy for you.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

18. You know what this calls for right!?

[aquart]

31. Nah, that's for the first paycheck.

[calimary]

19. Hurray!!! Terrific news!

Congratulations! Thank you for posting about it here! Makes us all happy!

[Spitfire of ATJ]

20. I'm old enough to remember when you went to the employment office...

...and a worker there would look at your forms and say, "I know a place where you would fit in" and call a local business and say, "I have someone for that job you have open." and they would arrange a time for you two to meet.

Then they went to a system where you were supposed to go to a board and read the jobs posted without contact info and you would go to the line and they would decide if you could get a name and number if you were qualified.

Now they just tell you to go online. Go into their office and all they have are computers that show you the same thing you can see from home. There is ZERO attempt to match anyone anymore and the frustration level is through the roof.

[KT2000]

21. That is great!

Congrats and thanks for the inspiration.

[Lil Missy]

22. Congratulations!

[Tikki]

23. Happy, Happy Dance for freemay20...

50+ is the new smilie face.


Tikki

[lastlib]

24. from another over-50 who's looking:

first: CONGRATULATIONS!!!! And Good Luck in the new endeavor; I sincerely hope it works out well for you!

and second: THANK YOU for the uplifting pep talk!! I definitely needed that. I've had a very discouraging year of no call backs, damn few interviews, and NO positive motivation from anybody outside of a few friends and acquaintances. It's good to hear a success story! In my mind, I have done everything right, from the professional resumes/cover letters, positive attitude, etc. It's gotten me nothing to this point except a few kicks in the teeth and a couple of "what did you say your name was?"es. So I'm basking in your new glory, and hoping some of it rubs off on me. (hope you don't mind!)

Congrats again, and GOOD LUCK, FREEMAY20!

[freemay20]

27. Please share this with me

The glory is for all of us that have put our hearts and souls into finding employment. I feel each and every one of us that succeeds is a positive sign. Keep pushing lastlib!!!! The one thing I never did was give up. Even when three weeks went by without even a call or bite on the applications and resume's I sent out,, I never gave up.. Please remember, it can happen to you just as easily as it happened to me. This one slapped me in the face from out of the blue, two days earlier than I expected the proverbial "time for me to call as they haven't called me by the date they said a decision would be made", keeping in mind, they always promise to have enough respect to call you. Keep your head up and take the small victories to heart, remember, you are doing what you should be and stay proud for pushing ahead.

[Johnny Noshoes]

42. I'm in the same boat too...

Great news Freemay 20. I don't know if its a trend or what BUT during the first six months of this mess I got NO interviews. Last year I got TWO ten months apart. This year I have had FOUR in three months and at least a preliminary shot at one other job. I blew a spreadsheet test on the prelim shot but at least I had a shot. One of the jobs was the first time I tried a cold call to a company that does the same type of work as the place I used to work. The owner had me in for an interview even though he didn't have a job available right now. He knows I can do the work so maybe if something opens up I'll get a call out of the blue. I just keep on moving and figure sooner or later I'll be the right person at the right company at the right time.

[lexw]

52. Same boat here

The internet makes it so easy for employers to figure out your age just by Googling your name. It sucks.

[truebluegreen]

25. Congratulations!

[CK_John]

26. Employers know exactly how you feel and are sending a message. No whining or union talk.

[freemay20]

28. Thank you very much everyone, and...

I hope all those that are at or near my age and even older than me, I suppose there are a few out there LOL, use this as hope; A sign, a light, a renewed belief that it can happen to you as it has happened to me. It is wonderful to share this news with the people here at DU. Thanks again everyone.

[HomerRamone]

29. Congratulations. We should be DEMANDING less hoarding and more opportunities

[aquart]

30. I am so happy for you.

[Mnpaul]

32. Congrats freemay20

I finally got a real job this week as well. I had been working for temp agencies since 2006. I was laid off since the beginning of February. Great pep talk for those still looking.

[abelenkpe]

33. Congratulations!

[onestepforward]

34. Congratulations!

I'm very happy for you!

[Hekate]

35. Congrats and best wishes

[Bigredhunk]

36. Very Cool!

I'm happy for you.

I've always been pissed at how the prospective employer(s) can just sit on their hands...they don't have to call you or even send you a damn form letter. You go to interview after interview. You have to be well-dressed. You have to be on time. You have to have your resume sharp and have your game face on...have to interview well. Then you might follow up with a phone call or a letter, thanking them for the opportunity. All the time and effort you put in, and many of these places will never contact you if they're not hiring you. You're just left twisting in the wind. Pisses me off. End of rant.

Congrats!! It's the best feeling, getting a job after being out of work (for any length of time).

[sueh]

37. Yay!!!! I'm so happy for you! I was in your shoes so I know just how you feel.

[caledesi]

38. Wish you the best of luck! Hold your head up real high. nt

[barbtries]

39. congratulations.

i hope you love your new job.

[raccoon]

40. Glad to hear it! good for you!

[a kennedy]

41. Good news indeed.....congratulations

[closeupready]

43. K&R - Congrats! So happy for you!

I know how not working can be toxic to someone who actually does want to work, so I'm glad you were able to find something. Cheers.

[DavidDvorkin]

44. Congratulations!

[joanbarnes]

45. Congrats and Best of Luck. Been there myself, husband too.

[ctsnowman]

46. Congrats!

[Granny M]

47. Great news!

Wishing you great success in the new job.

[Party Favors]

48. I hope this good news is highly contagious!!!

Thanks so much for sharing your good fortune with the DU!

Your story of tenacity struck a chord within me. I too have been filling out more time consuming on line resumes than I can count and it's so easy to get discouraged when you receive no response. To add salt to the wound is the loss of "friends" and the lack of compassion shown by family members. To sum it up, IT SUCKS!

I've had my eye on a particular company for some time and finally there was an open position that's perfect for me.

I filled out the on-line application and hoped my qualifications wouldn't fall into the abyss.

Then I went one step further. I found the e-mail address of a manager in the company and sent my resume to her asking if she would forward my resume to the decision maker.

IT WORKED!!!!

I had an interview yesterday afternoon and I think it went great. I sent my thank you e-mail and let it go.

Second guessing and trying to get in the head of the interviewer leads directly to self-blame and shame. I do all I can not to lead myself down that road, but it's tough.

Now here's a first...I check my e-mail and I had a thank you note from the hiring manager with her cell phone number and a promise to contact me next week.

I've read your OP about five times and the feelings of joy and relief leap through the screen.

Congratulations and I hope you're contagious!!!!

[Caeser67]

49. Congrats!

[angrychair]

50. Outstanding!

Congrats and good luck with the new job!

[sunwyn]

51. Congratulations!

[Liberal_in_LA]

53. congrats

[lark]

54. Congratulations and thanks for the lift!

I've been depressed because my husband's business is failing here in FL. He too will be 53 this year and has been in retail sales and sales management his entire life, but sales are in the toilet in this area. Thank you Rick Scott, you egg sucker non-human, for a 14% unemployment rate in NE FL. (We can't move because my 89 year old mother is here and needs me.) You have given me hope that even if the worst happens, we might be able to survive? I am lucky enough to have a decent job, though I was hoping to retire next year. That will not be in the cards unless the economy turns around, which is showing no evidence of positive movement here.

I'm calling my husband right now to let him know that there is hope of getting a job at 53! Thanks for the hope.

[Ilsa]

55. Great news! May I ask

what kind of work it is? And what were you doing before?

Did you apply in different cities? Different states? Or just in your area?

I'm very, very happy for you. I hope it all keeps getting better!

[freemay20]

56. Thanks again

I have been in sales my entire career. I applied in a 50 mile radius of my city. It is not the complete job I was hoping for, but it is a start and via my hard work, I intend to make it into a career where I earn the income I want / need. You keep pushing also and keep your head up. A person can not see what may be staring straight at them if their head is down and can not see the opportunity through a cloud of hopelessness. I had almost gotten to that point but summoned all I had inside to stay positive. Remember , every application is new hope, every new posting you see could be the one, just keep at it. Good luck to you in your endeavors and I will be thinking and hoping for your success!!!!!

One thing I did do that was kind of out of the box was this. When I ran across an ad for a position I felt I qualified for but did not have the "required" industry experience, I got creative. I submitted my resume anyways but did something in my cover letter that drew attention. I mentioned what qualified me for the position and then asked them if their ad really would give them the best candidate out there. I asked them if by restricting the candidates to industry people, if they might just be getting people that have been the old rehashes. There must be a reason they are looking. Are they performing at their current or did they not perform at their previous position? Is that truly a good candidate. I created questions in their minds about their qualifications. One person called me and told me on the phone she just "had" to talk to me. I got the interview and made it to the final two people but they ended up choosing a person with industry experience. Fact is, it felt good to get past all the bullshit and personally made me feel better and maintain my confidence. Never be afraid to apply for things that you only qualify for 80% of what they ask for. I have found most do not even know exactly what they are looking for when you ask them.. Again, GOOD LUCK!!!!

[Blue_In_AK]

57. Congratulations!

[MsFlorida]

58. Congratulations!!!!!

You give me hope. I'm still looking. Over two years now. And yes, over 50 too. I'm so thrilled and happy for you!

[busterbrown]

59. Listen!!!

Everyone knows that you are way worth more than what you are being paid.....
Go to work and rock their boat...You’ll be promoted in no time..

[BobTheSubgenius]

60. Congratulations!

Your spirit and perseverance are beyond formidable! So glad to hear you have been rewarded for them.

[SmittynMo]

61. Congrats

Wow, how weird. I too finally found a full time job today. It has taken years to finally find a full time job with benefits, at a decent wage. I know exactly what you went through as my story has been almost identical. I too am in my 50's which makes it even harder. Let's see, Bush tanked the country how many years ago? And it's taken me this long to get back where I once was. I'll never forgive him and Cheney for what they did to this country. But things are certainly looking up, now that the GOP is out of there. Let's get more out in 2014!!!! Be sure to vote.

[AAO]

62. +1000000000000000

[freemay20]

63. One more time--Thank You

Thank you to everyone that shared in my piece of good news. My intent was to give others that are in the same place I was hope. I know there are a lot of us out there that fight every day to try to make ends meet, only to be rejected time and time again in our effort to make out lives better. Keep pushing, keep believing and keep having pride in yourself and the efforts you make!!!!!!!!

[datasuspect]

64. we live in post job Uhhhhhmerica

a person had better be able to demonstrate some immediate value to a check signer to make a decent living.

if you aren't a revenue generator, you're pretty much fucked.