Employed again

After almost six months of being unemployed, I have been offered a sales position with an insurance company. I will be selling auto and homeowner's insurance from an office about a mile from home. I will be starting during the last week of August. It is very exciting, and I can't wait to get started. Also, my rheumatoid arthritis will not complicate this job.

I was laid off at the end of February from a position I had held for six months. I was in sales with a sign company. Finding work at 57 is challenging. Sometimes you are not offered a position with a company and the "official" reason is that somebody is more qualified. Unofficially, some of those rejections are age-based.

Three months ago I applied for a sales position with an advertising publication. I had twelve years of experience is a similar field, doing business-to-business sales. My people skills are in the top ten percentile, I could start right away, and I was told that I was being considered. They hired a 23-year-old business school grad without people skills or experience. Two weeks later he was gone. I re-submitted my application. Again, rejected and a young recent college grad was hired. Again, he lasted two weeks. Apply again, told that they like my experience, and my skills. Rejected again. Last Friday I got a call from their HR staff again, asking me to submit another application. I told them no, I had found a better position.

Wish me luck!

bfG

Congrats!!

I am looking forward to the day I can go back to work.

Jbug

Gary,

I am praying for you, that all will go well with your new employment position. I know that everything happens for a reason....when we have a positive approach to what is going on in our life, we will be successful in whatever we do. I honestly admire the way you have approached your situation compared to the way my husband handled the same situation. You have gone out & used your abilities & even with the age discrimination (which my husband found also....so it isn't imagination) you have gone out & found the best possible solution to your situation.

My husband, a very intelligent, educated person, refused to take any challenges & got involed in private guard work.....then when they gave him an opportunity to take a test to advance, he failed that......because he didn't care about anything anymore. If he couldn't have the high paying job he wanted, he was going to pout like a child & blow off every other opportunity. I know many people are selling the auto & homeowners insurance. My insurance agent here in Ky was a mechincal engineer & after his divorce he went into his own business of selling insurance. It isn't always easy, but when take it as a responsibility to the people that have their policies through you......your positive attitude toward life & toward people.....will make you successful.

My prayers are with you,
Debbie

Good suggestions, Debbie. I wish you all the very best, bflatgary.

I am in the same boat -- old and unemployed. It cheers me up to know that you did it -- you landed one!

Congratulations bflatgary! I know how hard finding work is, it too took me six months of searching. I really hope that everything goes well in your new position.

--splitimage

Thank you Eskie, Wants2Fly and Splitimage. It has been tough for the last 6 months. Keeping the control on depression is the most difficult part. I realize that my arthritis is more scary than being unemployed, and I have a fair handle on my arthritis. It was just a matter of time.

bfG

Jbug,
Your time will come. Keep up the faith.

bfG

Awesome news ((((((((((((((((( BFG )))))))))))))))))))))))) Wishing you much success at your new position. I'm sure you will do great!

I so understand the issues with the other company you applied to and were turned down so many times. The business world is cruel at times. But, I also believe that things happen for a reason. You were not meant to have that position for some reason or another....maybe because of the one you were just hired for

Best of luck to you!


sabby

Gary,

Congratulations!!!!!

I know all about age-discrimination and employment!

EJ

Many employers find creative ways to discriminate against older workers. What it really gets down to, no employer will tell you that you are too old. Legally they can't do that. However, they can get around it by hiring a younger person and informing the older applicant that they found someone who is a better fit. There is no real definition of "good fit".

Having been an employer in the past, I had to learn how to protect myself from discrimination charges. An employer does what he has to do.

What many employers don't consider is just how valuable older workers can be. We have business experience that even college grads don't necessarily have. We have developed people skill over a long period of time. We are more patient, although some employers don't consider that a plus.

bfG