My department closed at the end of 2017. I turned 69 on my last day, after being a successful manager for 40 years. I’ve since applied for many jobs, but never get an interview. Based on my resume, it’s easy to determine my age. How can I overcome this?
First of all, don’t lose confidence. That’s a career killer at any age. You’ve had a long, successful career and still have the energy and desire to keep going, so good for you. (My grandfather worked until his mid- 80s, broke his hip jumping over a puddle on his way to the office, recovered and then went back to work.) Now, I’m not going to lie — your age is a challenge, but you already knew that. It is one that can be overcome, though. Instead of trying to avoid it, play it up. Seniors often bring stability and maturity to a job, which is a plus for employers. Be flexible and perhaps consider a career change and/or part-time work to get you back into the game. And brush up on your tech skills if they are circa AOL dial-up. There are many resources dedicated for seniors looking for jobs. I’d start with the AARP Web site and go from there. Stay positive — and avoid using phrases like “in my day.”
I live in New York State and work full time as an hourly employee. My question is, if my employer decides to cut my salary and I refuse to accept the pay cut, can I collect unemployment?
There are several factors you need to consider before you jump ship even if you are eligible. First of all, unless there is some agreement in place stating otherwise, your employer has the right to set pay and make adjustments up or down for business reasons. If your employer reduces your pay, you may be able to collect unemployment benefits but there is no guarantee. It depends on the amount of the reduction and the reason why. You should speak to someone at your local unemployment office. You also need to consider how much your reduced pay is compared to what you would collect on unemployment, and what about benefits? Also, it is easier to find a job when you have one than when you are unemployed. So factor all of that in before you quit and file.
Gregory Giangrande is a chief human resources and communications officer in the media industry. E-mail your career questions to [email protected]. Follow Greg on Twitter: @greggiangrande. His Go to Greg podcast series is available on iTunes.