Changing jobs when over 50 and working in Advertising?

It's tough finding jobs if you're over 50. Can't even get a bite on my resume. Leaving the Advertising biz and looking for new opportunities to use my years of experience. Been checking Craig's List, but zero response. Careerbuilder tends to be burdensome.
Any other ideas? I'm also networking as much as possible. Are there any headhunters for people like me?

Hey Jay -- try GrayHairManagement. They are rumored to be excellent. Haven't gone that route yet, I'm only 49! Ha! Might be a good idea to also focus on either your target industry (advertising?) and use that industry's search engines, trade mags and associations, or if you've targeted companies, go directly to their website. Great resource center in Lake Forest called the Career Resource Center, a non-profit. Good luck!

Hey and thanks for the suggestions. Yeah...I've done alot of that internal industry searching, but the reality is that advertising is geared more for the 20-35 age group....not much for "me." Time to try something new and keep the positive thoughts flowing in the mean time. Never heard of that Lake Forest center, but will give them a call.
Thanks much!

Hey Jay I am in the same boat you are I have a few idea's call me [Edited by Host]
Joe in Fox Lake

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Hi Joe....

I'm at work, but cue me in a bit.

Thanks.
J

Same boat--I'm a great recruiter and maybe i can help out.

send your resume and let me take a look
hr.strategictalent@yahoo.com

Good Luck!

Same boat, little younger. I am jumping ship on the graphic design biz. All the jobs want you to do webdesign now. In order to make $$ you have to do web development. I did not go to design school to become a code monkey.

I am burned out and leaving and happy about it.

IL_gardener - I understand how you feel. You can always work freelance, which is a wonderful opportunity.

I feel for you Jay, I really do. But the truth is times and trends are changing and agencies and companies are realizing this and they are pursuing young blood so to speak. Not only do they get fresh ideas, they also don't have to pay as much to these young designers. And like it or not the web is here to stay and most companies would rather create a website then spend the money on a brochure that has a limited shelf life. I think that the age issue is playing a major role in the market today, and usually people who are in your age range are those who know about the software, but can't use it as effectively as the young crowd can. Being 25 years old myself, I've been exposed to computer a lot longer than someone your age, and I am a lot more used to designing this way. Though in college we did have to design the old fashioned way, xacto and studio tac. I think that if you are willing to learn the software and keep up on trends in the market that age won't be an issue. But if you are stubborn and say that you have all this experience (experience in the old school trends) then the marketplace will label you a design dinosaur and not want to hire you.

What I hate is when the companies try to hire someone who will do their graphic design, their web design, and oh yeah, can you do copywriting too? What cheapos. Those are 3 different positions. WTH.

IL_Gardener, you said it! Whenever I look at job posts for "Graphic Designers" they expect you to be web programmers, flash experts, application developers, copywriters and oh yeah graphic designers. It's not fair to us that they ask for so much from one person and only want to pay around 30,000 at best. Agencies and companies need to stop taking adantage of designers and creatives alike. We provide the most important service for an agency and company (the look) and we get cheated out of good pay. I wish I had the money to start my own agency where I would actually pay people appropriately...

Chris in Cleveland, Ohio said: I feel for you Jay, I really do. But the truth is times and trends are changing and agencies and companies are realizing this and they are pursuing young blood so to speak. Not only do they get fresh ideas, they also don't have to pay as much to these young designers. And like it or not the web is here to stay and most companies would rather create a website then spend the money on a brochure that has a limited shelf life. I think that the age issue is playing a major role in the market today, and usually people who are in your age range are those who know about the software, but can't use it as effectively as the young crowd can. Being 25 years old myself, I've been exposed to computer a lot longer than someone your age, and I am a lot more used to designing this way. Though in college we did have to design the old fashioned way, xacto and studio tac. I think that if you are willing to learn the software and keep up on trends in the market that age won't be an issue. But if you are stubborn and say that you have all this experience (experience in the old school trends) then the marketplace will label you a design dinosaur and not want to hire you.

Hi Chris,
The response relative to age and graphic design was not mine. If you check, you'll see it was a different post. I am in Account Service/Finance areas of the biz and make it my business to keep up on new trends relative to the industry. However, I am not a designer (although, an artist), thus do not know the most current technology. I love reading about new technology as a whole, and make sure that I'm up-to-date on what's happening so that I don't become a dinosauer stuck in the past.
Jan

Help me out here in Peoria, Az. I am over 50 and willing to stay in the same field which is Insurance, any kind. I can't seem to get anywhere. I've been networking, sending resumes & applying on line and researching companies. I'm getting discouraged.

Jay in Chicago, Illinois said: It's tough finding jobs if you're over 50. Can't even get a bite on my resume. Leaving the Advertising biz and looking for new opportunities to use my years of experience. Been checking Craig's List, but zero response. Careerbuilder tends to be burdensome.
Any other ideas? I'm also networking as much as possible. Are there any headhunters for people like me?

I'm a pioneer in B2B and B2C entrepreneur marketing businesses and services to the 50-plus market for 23 years. I currently have two internet projects which have abundant opportunities to create other services, products, profit streams, a mature marketing and advertising company - but I am a creative/sales/marketing team of one. And I won't let my dream die without some expert, experienced team players!

As the "Go-To Source for Boomer to Senior News" we need:
A Business & Marketing Development Specialist
**Sales Team - Introduce-sell our affordable business listings, banners and sponsorships to companies internationally, especially U.S. (great commissions, refer-a-bmember program)
Regional Sales & Marketing Managers
Internet specialists: graphic designers, developers to create, manage new monthly magazine format and international zip code business directory with latest cutting-edge technologies, SEO, etc. (this is open to discussion for potential equity and/or commissions)
Editors: (perfect for Interns) Help assemble and edit monthly magazine, new contents, work with expert writers who want to be feature writers and columnists
Entrepreneurial-minded philanthropists or partners who understand the need for a major resource portal for 50+ info on: financial & retirement planning; money matters; health and wellness; self-help; travel; new careers; senior news; senior housing options; caregiving and more. Resumes, queries to sharon50plus@yahoo.com

g

IL_gardener in Chicago Metro, Illinois said: Same boat, little younger. I am jumping ship on the graphic design biz. All the jobs want you to do webdesign now. In order to make $$ you have to do web development. I did not go to design school to become a code monkey.

I am burned out and leaving and happy about it.

IL_gardener – so if i may ask, what business did you jump to when you jumped the graphic ship. I am curious as it is really bad out there for those of us 50+. I am looking to get working in something new and I was curious. Hope to hear back from you, I know I am a little late to be joining in on this but I just saw it.

Jay in Chicago, Illinois said: It's tough finding jobs if you're over 50. Can't even get a bite on my resume. Leaving the Advertising biz and looking for new opportunities to use my years of experience. Been checking Craig's List, but zero response. Careerbuilder tends to be burdensome.
Any other ideas? I'm also networking as much as possible. Are there any headhunters for people like me?

I am writing to you as well Jay. I just found this on line and from the last dates, well I guess this is a bit old. I would be interested in knowing how things are going. I am 50+, still want to be working at something with challenge and can't find a thing or even get an interest. Ugh.
hope things have improved for you. I need some help here myself.

Peg,
It's difficult when you know you are smart, young thinking, creative and have many of the qualities an employer could want- except being between the ages of 25 & 35.
It's a great time to begin a new biz, but having the $$ is the problem for many of us. Except those that are changing from a formerly lucrative career and have saved a few $$.

Yes it is. Have you left the field and gone on to other things? I am just trying to get some feedback here and I am liking the idea of perhaps reaching some new contacts and friends. I had a loss of spouse situation that involved a period of caregiving etc, and I am finally back 100%. That's okay, hospice helped a ton in the healing process. Anyway, its getting this all back together etc. from what I hear from friends still in the biz, it has been a pre-election really kind of slow summer. Well everyone is hoping that is the case. I mainly am looking to get myself going freelance and offering back-up plus pursuing my own client base more.

I would be interested in learning more about what your present career involvements are, that is of course, not meaning to be invasive, more insightful thoughts to consider.

Thanks for responding.

m_andrews in Chicago, Illinois said: Yes it is. Have you left the field and gone on to other things? I am just trying to get some feedback here and I am liking the idea of perhaps reaching some new contacts and friends. I had a loss of spouse situation that involved a period of caregiving etc, and I am finally back 100%. That's okay, hospice helped a ton in the healing process. Anyway, its getting this all back together etc. from what I hear from friends still in the biz, it has been a pre-election really kind of slow summer. Well everyone is hoping that is the case. I mainly am looking to get myself going freelance and offering back-up plus pursuing my own client base more.

I would be interested in learning more about what your present career involvements are, that is of course, not meaning to be invasive, more insightful thoughts to consider.

Thanks for responding.

MA,
I just read your message and wanted to ask how your re-entry is going? I also lost my spouse , did hospice which was helpful. I am trying to get myself back into a more creative environment, and as i am also a 50+er it seems next to none. People I still know in agency stream did say it has been slow pre-election period. Well, now what? I am curious as to whether you have found a road back in and or what you are currently doing career-wise. I just signed up with an organization called The Taproot Foundation, Of which they do probono work, gives a lot of people a chance to network. Have you heard of this? Seems very interesting and buttoned-up. Hope things are going well.

peg

Jay in Chicago, Illinois said: It's tough finding jobs if you're over 50. Can't even get a bite on my resume. Leaving the Advertising biz and looking for new opportunities to use my years of experience. Been checking Craig's List, but zero response. Careerbuilder tends to be burdensome.
Any other ideas? I'm also networking as much as possible. Are there any headhunters for people like me?

Jay, try getting work in South Africa. I have dignity. But, even for today I have no surity where my next meal is coming from. End of January no home, and I have worked so hard teaching, even computers, and I have an Honours Degree in African languages. Was a dud choice. I am either: too old, too qualified, or not qualified enough... So a cardboard box for me and my cats and a tortoise from the end of January 2009. I trust I can train the cats to be violent, cause the crime is so rife here, one is not safe outdoors.. they break in and rob me regularly, even thought I do not own much... be just happy you in a country that you can live on the streets safely. I paid for my own education and have worked very hard.. to get nowhere.. maybe I should put myself up for adoption :)

You all seem to be in the Graphics world. My story is a little different. I was a single parent of 2, went to Jr. College at 31 re'cd a 2 yr. certificate in Cad/Drafting but that was in 1987 on Autocad Release 7. I did major in mechanical. Had some architectural. I got a part time land surveying job for college credit. Had no idea what that drafting entailed. It was fairly easy so I stayed with it. Instead of being a single mom of two at 33 I am now a married working mom of 5. I moved on to a bigger co. I had to hand draw residential land surveys for 14 years, then they went to Autocad 2000i, I figures it out and boom, 3 yrs. later at 17 yrs. with them, they laid me off and kept the 21 yr. who made $7 less an hr. than me. I could not even get a job for minimum wage. 13 months later I was hired by a Village as a Permit Specialist. I issued utility permits for the big co.s, did flood determinations for the residents and land exhibits for projects on Autocad 2005 and 9. I learned acrobat pro 8. They laid me off on March 24. They let over 20 positions go. That was a government job. I'm 52, no one is going to hire me. so, I roll up and die?? I can't go through this again. We are going to lose our home and all those years of being a great American and taxpayer, having perfect credit no matter what it took, and I have to start all over yet again? I couldn't even get a grocery store to hire me for third shift. I'm simply not the depressed kind not do I give up, but things do not look good. My husband needs both knees replaced but he can't stop work now, he lays underground pipe, 33 years now, he needs hernia surgery, can't take the time, Unions don't pay for sick time. So he works hurt, take three kinds of pain meds. Do you know how that makes me feel? Just about every position that Village did away with were over 40 mainly 50 of older. I'm stubborn and a rebel, I am taking a writing course hoping to sell articles and stories. I am already a published poet, no money in it.

I'm travelling in Asia. It seems that you can get a free university degree over here that is taught in English and they will teach you to learn Chinese, too. These skills could really expand your opportunities.

www.tealit.com/article.php?section=study&article=kainan-university-international-students
www.tealit.com/article_categories.php?section=study&article=taiwan-taoyuan-kainan-university

I get so angry when I see those ridiculous stories on the news about how employers "love" to hire older workers because of their work ethic and experience, when anyone who's been through a layoff knows that the over-35's are the first to go. As Kim said, even low skilled service industry jobs - who often complain the loudest over the lack of dependable workers - refuse to consider most older people, hiring the 20 year old with multiple piercings and no transporation instead.
Sorry for the rant. Just thinking about what America has become instead of what it could be saddens me.

I agree 1000% George. All this time and about 70 applications and resume send outs, not one reply. Now all the places are saying that by law they have to give sex, race and age info to the government. I have to fill out a form asking for ss no. and birth date. I thought it was illegal to request your age when filling out an app? It says they don't use it against your chances of being hired. They also ssay it is up to you if you want to fill it out. SOME of them. SOME villages I applied to demanded I fill it out or the app. would not be considered. I don't believe it for one second. It's a legal weeding out process. I'm waiting the over 50 concentration camps they will call " helping our babyboomers live a better life". What the hell is going on?

Not only do I agree, but think you should write your note to a local newspaper. Get it out there in black and white!!!!

HELL'O EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS RAIANNE. I AM 50 AND STILL WORKING. I FEEL FORTUNATE BUT I ALSO FEEL SO DRAINED. I HAVE WORKED FOR THE COMPANY FOR 22 YEARS. I DON'T FEEL APPRECIATED THERE. I WORK VERY HARD AND I HAVEN'T HAD A PERSONAL RAISE IN 12 YEARS. I'VE PUT UP WITH ALOT OF THINGS BECAUSE OF MY FEAR OF HAVING TO EXPERIENCE WHAT YOU ALL ARE TALKING ABOUT. I FEEL LIKE I'M DROWNING. I HAVE SIGNED UP FOR SO MANY WORK AT HOME PROGRAMS THAT IT ISN'T FUNNY. I HAVE HAD SO MANY RESPONSES. I'VE PAID MONEY TO AT LEAST (5) OF THEM. EVERY DAY MORE AND MORE EMAILS ARE COMING IN WITH TONS OF INFORMATION FROM THESE PROGRAMS REDIRECTING ME TO SOMEONE ELSE ASKING FOR MORE MONEY. I'M STILL SEARCHING FOR THAT MAGIC ONE. HAS ANYONE IN THE GROUP TRIED ANY WORK AT HOME PROGRAMS. I REALLY WOULD APPRECIATE SOME FEEDBACK. THANKS

Jay in Chicago, Illinois said: Hey and thanks for the suggestions. Yeah...I've done alot of that internal industry searching, but the reality is that advertising is geared more for the 20-35 age group....not much for "me." Time to try something new and keep the positive thoughts flowing in the mean time. Never heard of that Lake Forest center, but will give them a call.
Thanks much!

Jay, it's been awhile. How are things going?

Jay in Chicago, Illinois said: It's tough finding jobs if you're over 50. Can't even get a bite on my resume. Leaving the Advertising biz and looking for new opportunities to use my years of experience. Been checking Craig's List, but zero response. Careerbuilder tends to be burdensome.
Any other ideas? I'm also networking as much as possible. Are there any headhunters for people like me?

Try creating an online portfolio that will dazzle them. Check out VisualCV.com.

I am also 46 year now and looking for a job and no response for even several resumes over 100 sent. I have two masters degrees(in engineering and management) and because of my age no one is willing to employ me. Please can anybody show me how to get a job. Is anyone running a small business and he or she someone to do data analysis for him or her. I will be happy to work for as low as $10/hour.

hey all,

kind of in the same boat. i've been a comedian since '89. best gig in the world. i just do corporate and private gigs now. the problem is that entertainment budgets were the first thing to go when the economy tanked. people/employees now more than ever need to blow it out of their systen and laugh for an hour or so.

i'm looking for someone to help find me gigs. i have no problem paying a 15% commission for every gig i get. any thoughts?

Thanks for the post.
For anyone looking for jobs or who are interested in future job search, there are hundreds of Chicago job openings on this job board that is entirely dedicated to help people in Chicago find jobs.
Here is a bitly link to the page! Hope this helps..
on.fb.me/rrX26a

Hope this helps.

To the douche nozzles who think only people under 30 can understand/ design or write web sites, user experiences, etc.
WAKE THE HELL UP
Fresh ideas?? Too many 20 and 30 somethings who grew up with Nanny Nintendo and "reality" shows can't come up with an idea that isn't completely derivative. Wait- did I say IDEA?
Yeah there are the standouts who really understand using all channels (not talking your cable here) to touch the consumer. Believe it or not, and this may come as quite a shock, lots of creatives on their 40s and even 50s actually "get it". Bottom line is, not everyone can come up with a big idea. But anyone can learn the technology. Applies to ANY age.