Ageism is real and frustrating. With my retail and restaurant background I’ve had no issue getting an interview for Director level roles; I hit 50 and it’s like my resume and LinkedIn profile were deleted from the internet.

After 8 years with my current employer I am seeing signs of culture changes I am not down with; I’ve been passively applying for other roles the past year and am shocked and how few interviews or even phone screens I am getting.

Tonight I am doing something I thought I would never do, I’m deleting my military experience and 10 years as a district manager with McDonald’s from my resume and online profiles. Doing so removes nearly 15 years of experience from my resume, I will be interested to see if my interview hits increase.

I am glad someone else is going through this and it it is not me and my pleasing personality.

For the past two years, I have had very few interviews and a few phone screens.

I miss law enforcement/investigations and entertained going back to it. I figure I have 16 years and some change, there has to be an agency that coould use me. The very least to run traffic, investigate accidents or work in the courthouse. NOPE

I have had a few interviews but it seems like they want a 23-25 year old applicants with 20 years of experience.

Two Virginia agencies told me that they would only get about 12-15 years of service out of me. (Even though I was certiifed in VA and only would have to do a partial academy.) So they passed.

I have taken most of my education off along with a large portion of my experience and military.

One of the guys at the gym is in the same boat.
He is 60 and has over 40+ years of supply chain and logistical management experience.

Two other guys are Engineers: Electrical and Mechanical. Same boat.

I couldnt even get a job digging ditches even though I have 12 years of experience in industrial construction.

I turn 53 next month.
Kind of pisses me off I wasted all that time and money on college.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mrapteam666,

^^^ Sad but all true.

I guess there are some valid points in not going with the aged experienced person but without weighing the advantages, it seems pretty stupid.

So sorry, those reasons and more is why I became self employed.

Good Luck though.

It is one of my biggest fears now that I’m 60.

Just a bit too early to retire and fearing getting axed by my employer for a younger person.

I’ve seen it happen to several in my time.

Currently I’ve got no shortage of job offers but should something change, I’m 52 and can see how it would not be the best situation.

quote:

So sorry, those reasons and more is why I became self employed.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
My Dad was forced out at 58. Never worked again.
That is the main reason I have been self employed for over forty years. It was pretty scary at times,but well worth it.

MRAP, we will hire you (law enforcement).

We have no age restrictions other than 21 to start. No mandatory retirement age.

Paid academy starting at $60k with a bachelor’s.

I’m 41 and haven’t had to deal with this yet. I’m curious as to what possible solutions exist.

Would any of you be willing to sign a contract agreeing to X years of service at an employer? That doesn’t really seem practical.

quote:

Originally posted by flesheatingvirus:
I’m 41 and haven’t had to deal with this yet. I’m curious as to what possible solutions exist.

Would any of you be willing to sign a contract agreeing to X years of service at an employer? That doesn’t really seem practical.

Keep only the last 20 years at most of experience in your resume. Keep the resume to two pages tops. Color your hair so it doesn't have any grays.

If that works, what a bullshit situation!

Thanks
Chongosuerte

I will look into your agency
I had a good relationship with the Homicide and the Major crash units while working at the Medical Examiners Office.

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:
MRAP, we will hire you (law enforcement).

We have no age restrictions other than 21 to start. No mandatory retirement age.

Paid academy starting at $60k with a bachelor’s.

Can you skip the academy if you’re already certified? I was certified in NY, been through CITP and the ATF National Academy at FLETC, and will be CA POST (basic, intermediate and advanced) certified in a few months (just need to finish my probation period at my current employer). What kind of money could one expect with OT in the first year? How soon could one make detective? Feel free to give me a shout on my listed email if you’d be willing to discuss further. Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by Lt CHEG:

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:
MRAP, we will hire you (law enforcement).

We have no age restrictions other than 21 to start. No mandatory retirement age.

Paid academy starting at $60k with a bachelor’s.

Can you skip the academy if you’re already certified? I was certified in NY, been through CITP and the ATF National Academy at FLETC, and will be CA POST (basic, intermediate and advanced) certified in a few months (just need to finish my probation period at my current employer). What kind of money could one expect with OT in the first year? How soon could one make detective? Feel free to give me a shout on my listed email if you’d be willing to discuss further. Thanks!

Yessir, we do Laterals for certified applicants. Abbreviated, non “boot” academy training of 6 weeks, then whatever our state says you have to sit through academic wise with one of the Academy classes, but you are treated like an officer by staff/instructors with no BS. Then sit for the state test. But you get sworn and hit the road after the first six weeks. Just come back for the needed blocks.

Between OT and off-duty work, I’d say that $75-80k is easy in year one.

Detective is possible after 1-2 years, as a lateral. But depends on openings and work ethic. But I have definitely seen it happen. Sergeant at 5 years (or 2 as a lateral with 5 total experience), and our sergeants make real money. They top out in 3 years at $118,000 right now, AND make OT.

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:

Yessir, we do Laterals for certified applicants. Abbreviated, non “boot” academy training of 6 weeks, then whatever our state says you have to sit through academic wise with one of the Academy classes, but you are treated like an officer by staff/instructors with no BS. Then sit for the state test. But you get sworn and hit the road after the first six weeks. Just come back for the needed blocks.

Between OT and off-duty work, I’d say that $75-80k is easy in year one.

Detective is possible after 1-2 years, as a lateral. But depends on openings and work ethic. But I have definitely seen it happen. Sergeant at 5 years (or 2 as a lateral with 5 total experience), and our sergeants make real money. They top out in 3 years at $118,000 right now, AND make OT.

Might have to take a closer look at that. It would take a bunch of planning and saving before I could manage, but it could work in the long term. Would one be allowed to do fire investigations for insurance companies on their off time, or is that a no go for the off duty employment policy? Got any openings on thre bomb squad?

quote:

Originally posted by Lt CHEG:

quote:

Originally posted by chongosuerte:

Yessir, we do Laterals for certified applicants. Abbreviated, non “boot” academy training of 6 weeks, then whatever our state says you have to sit through academic wise with one of the Academy classes, but you are treated like an officer by staff/instructors with no BS. Then sit for the state test. But you get sworn and hit the road after the first six weeks. Just come back for the needed blocks.

Between OT and off-duty work, I’d say that $75-80k is easy in year one.

Detective is possible after 1-2 years, as a lateral. But depends on openings and work ethic. But I have definitely seen it happen. Sergeant at 5 years (or 2 as a lateral with 5 total experience), and our sergeants make real money. They top out in 3 years at $118,000 right now, AND make OT.

Might have to take a closer look at that. It would take a bunch of planning and saving before I could manage, but it could work in the long term. Would one be allowed to do fire investigations for insurance companies on their off time, or is that a no go for the off duty employment policy? Got any openings on thre bomb squad?

Possibly and probably…especially with prior certs.

Shoot me an email if you want more details. One of my buddies is on the bomb team. Its not full-time though.

quote:

Keep only the last 20 years at most of experience in your resume. Keep the resume to two pages tops. Color your hair so it doesn't have any grays.

^^^^^^^^^^
Any competent interviewer will spot that in a second, and put you in the forget it pile.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:

Color your hair so it doesn't have any grays.

You have hair?

I'll be 70 next month and just had a heart checkup at the VA and I told my boss about it.
His response was "Gee, I guess you'll be around here for another 5 years?"
My ticker is perfect, but my attitude is to go 2 more years then disappear out West.
If Trump does his part, I'll retire waay better than I thought!

Ronin - I applied for 32 open job positions that I was qualified for over a 4 month period of time with my resume showing that I had 43 years work experience after graduating from college. ONLY Two interviews (phone) with no call backs.

I removed my first job post college that consisted of 11 years experience and within one week of doing so, when applying for jobs I had not previously applied, I had an interview. Over the next two weeks I had two more interviews and between the three interviews, I received two job offers. One I accepted.

Fortunately, at 64 years of age I still have a head full of mostly black hair with a little gray mixed in. During the three interviews I never mentioned my first 11 years work experience.

Sad but true job market shift. Companies want younger employees so that their training investments in new employees can receive a 10+ year employment payback.

quote:

Originally posted by sigarmsp226:
Ronin - I applied for 32 open job positions that I was qualified for over a 4 month period of time with my resume showing that I had 43 years work experience after graduating from college. ONLY Two interviews (phone) with no call backs.

I’m going to begin by removing just my Marine Corps history, that puts me back at 51. Frustrating, I plan to work for as long as I can; I actually enjoy it.