Job Hunting After 50
I was born and raised in New York City, and have been employed in some way since I was 13. I like working, and I like to be able to sustain myself. There have been a couple of times in all those years that work search proved to be futile, and for a time I actually had to go on welfare which I hated with a passion. While on the dole, as a single person with no dependents I was required to work, and even though I was supposed to be re-assigned every 10 months, I was so good at what I did, that the powers that be requested that I remain. They looked the other way as I did my little extra graphic design work here and there to keep a roof over my head, even when it involved using their supplies and machines.
Now I find myself in search of employment yet again and have been for 26 months. Many people my age understand what I’m going through because they have been there and for some been out even longer. They have had to sell their homes and move in with their children, or rent rooms. I am still single, never had children, am renting a co-op apartment in a neighborhood I really love. It took a lot of effort to get this place; I made less than what they required, but my income was steady, my references - both professional and personal - showed that I was a responsible person and have been for all of my life. I promised the landlord that no matter what is going on, my first priority would be to get his rent money. He knew I was a creative person and decided to give me a chance. That was almost five years ago, and we have a wonderful relationship because I mind my business, I don’t upset the neighbors (although they upset me constantly) and none of my checks have bounced.
The last position I held was with a federally contracted agency and every two years we would get this ominous letter in the mail, which was their way of covering their asses just in case the budget wasn’t approved. My ex-boss would say it’s just a formality and we would go on without giving it a second thought. I went on vacation for two weeks and returned with a sprained ankle, and BAM! Found out I was one of several about to be laid off. I was floored. Why didn’t they tell me before I went on vacation? I could have used that money! I was there four years, eleven months and three weeks, and I actually hoped that I would be able to retire from there. Most of the other women let go were nurses, and in New York, nurses are in high demand everywhere. But administrative secretaries? Not so much. There are always sticky little details like dictation or typing 70 wpm, things I don’t do. Some are even required to have a driver’s license! I was like, what the hell? This is an office job! If you want a courier pay for one, or cough up cab fare round trip! Even if I had a car I wouldn’t be using it to play messenger. And for the past few weeks I’ve noticed for some reason, many places want a degree just to answer a damn telephone.
I started looking even while packing my stuff, and every day since. Signed up with several job search sites that bombard my email with all these duplicate postings, many of which either expired or are not even real. Registered with 12 agencies both in New York City and Nassau County; passed their computer tests, typing tests, been sent on interviews on occasion and … nothing. Every week I count maybe three rejection emails that use nice words like, “although we were impressed with your background, we have selected someone whose experience was closer to our needs.” Fine and fuck you, I’d say. This doesn’t bother me because I’m submitting at least 10-12 resumes daily which roughly comes down to 84 a week, 360 a month, and in 26 months a grand total of 9360! Now that sucks!
Now I don’t dye my eyebrows or my hair, so it’s apparent when I go on interviews that I’m not under 45 years old. My years of experience go back decades, and I try to stay on top of current software even though now I can’t afford to upgrade my computers. There is nothing wrong with me physically, if the position requires a lot of sitting, standing, lifting, I can do it. I have noticed that retail managers of some stores are uncomfortable with applicants as old as their parents. I found myself growling under my breath when a manager at a pet store referred to me as “that lady” after a cashier pointed me out letting her know I was waiting. She hit me with all sorts of what sounded like back breaking work, and I just shrugged it off and said, ‘nothing I haven’t been able to do.’ After all, I passed their computer assessment (which included scenarios and math), and they called me. Never mind the fact the pay was crappy, let’s not even go there. A month later I received a ‘thanks, but no thanks’ email. Fine and fuck you too, next?
Many of my friends have listened to my escapades, and have been pulling and praying for me to find something. They get all happy after good interviews and wonder how come I am not enthused by the prospects. That’s because I’ve been beaten down, and unless I hear the words, “Can you start Monday?” I return home to keep searching, no matter how many interviews I go to for the same company. One recent position at a hospital in Manhattan really threw me for a loop because I had FIVE interviews! I did the proper thank you response letters and waited patiently, slacking off from my daily regimen because after that many interviews, I figured hey, I got this. Weeks passed, and I decided to inquire to the doctor in charge. Imagine my disappointment when she responded, “We decided not to fill the position at this time because of federal budget cuts.” She thought the administrative person would have told me such, and since she cc’ed him, he covered his ass by saying he did send an email but it didn’t go through … unfortunately (it would have if I had sent it). I responded that if they decided to hire soon, they knew how to reach me. The doctor replied, most definitely. Ain’t that some shit, next?
Recently, a couple of agencies have trotted me out to take tests or interviews and nothing, even though I passed the tests and aced the interviews. The recruiter who tested me ignored my emails for about 2 weeks, and finally responded: “I thought the position was available but it was taken away from me, and is no longer available. I was too embarrassed to let you know, started looking for something else for you but I haven’t found anything.” Say what?! Then the one with the back-to-back interviews with a healthcare company have so much going on they haven’t gotten responded to the recruiter’s inquiries. These people have jobs, so they don’t understand the urgency the applicants are feeling. The most recent was a federal position; I had to pay for a new birth certificate, because the one I’ve been using for over 40 years wasn’t good enough. They called me the day before the government shut down and canceled my assessment interview because they’re considered non-essential personnel. I tried to be somewhat empathetic with the HR person who was upset about being furloughed for how many days it will take those spoiled brats we have in Washington to get their shit in order. It’s hard for me, I haven’t seen a pay check in 26 months! Fine and fuck them too. Next?
I won’t even get into the fake work from home jobs or the ones who call and say I have to pay x amount for background checks or security training. I was born at night but not last damn night. Never mind the phone calls that claimed I checked off something wanting to further my education when I always check no thanks. If I could afford to return to school and keep a roof over my head, I would, but I can’t. Still suffering the four D’s after two years and two months: Disappointed, Disheartened, Disgusted … yet DETERMINED. I never give up, and will never give in, no matter how often I run into ageism in my quest to be employed. Tempted to check off ‘disabled’ on applications, perhaps that would give me an ‘in’ … problem is there’s nothing wrong with me, except I’m over 50.