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