How do you pick yourself back up after not getting a job you really wanted?

Question

I interviewed last week for a company I really wanted to work for. The position was just what I wanted, it was a dynamic company, would have been a short commute and with excellent pay. I ended up one of the top two candidates. Even though the recruiter thought I was the best person for the job, the company went with the other person. I interview well, have a great resume and a great personality. But, I just keep getting passed over for jobs. I was downsized at age 50 (along with 10,000 co-workers) from a giant telecommunications company in 2002, had one totally crappy job for three years and am now unemployed again. I just can't seem to get back on my feet, both career wise and financially. It's really beginning to get to me. Anyone have any words of advice/wisdom?

Actually, I've gone through the testing/interviewing process for a great county job, and have finally ended up ranked pretty high on one of their eligibility lists. But, there's no telling when, or if, the county will ever call me with an opening. During the testing, I saw many people there around my age. It's weird how government entities don't seem to have an issue with older workers, but a lot of private sector companies do.

Answer 1

I know what you are going through. I went through the loss of a great job of 14 years.
One thing is to allow yourself a particular time of day, week, etc., to think about the old job and then let it go. It's over. Don't mentally measure yourself by that prior position. As far as the recent position you applied for, keep in mind that there is always a small possibility (I do not want to give you false hope) that the first candidate does not work out for one reason or another and they may call you. Or, if they expand, etc. Face it, you obviously made a great impression.
I think the key to getting back on your feet is accepting what you currently have and truly appreciating that without weighing it against yesterday. This may sound cliche, but it can always be worse. Are you willing to relocate? If so, get your resume out there to areas/companies you are interested in. We tend to measure ourselves by our careers, etc. But we are whole packages. It's important to really have your heart and soul into a new position too because other's will spot that you do not. I really wish you the best of luck.

Answer 2

I have been there. 1. Do not dwell on this job, it is gone!!! 2.Try to remember questions that were similar on more than one job interview, and see how you feared on those questions, maybe there is a weakness there. 3. Were the other candidates younger, remember in today's world the big 50 is not very marketable unless your resume reads like a fortune 500 candidate, for many reasons, e.g. your salary expectations maybe higher than a 20/30something's, job life expectancy (by the prospective employer) is shorter. Just things that may play a role in your not getting the job. NOW! pick yourself up, start thinking of what you would like to do most, think about probably starting your own business, even while you are still looking for a job, if it is a professional position you were after, can you turn it into some kind of consultancy or service you could do, think 10 years ahead to where and what you want out of life. Right now think about today being the beginning of a whole new world. Me? I got tired of crappy jobs, not being respected or paid well enough for what I am worth. I do all sorts of home businesses, and I travel every chance I get! Start living.

Answer 3

I agree with Bandit...allow yourself a day or two to be sad about your situation and then start looking again.

I know how hard it can be to find positions that look like a great fit and how much it can hurt when they don't work out. I know this isn't always possible, but try to always be applying for more than one job so that you'll always feel like you have a fall back...otherwise it can start to feel hopeless.

In "What Color is Your Parachute" they describe the process for seeking employment as being " no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no...YES!" It's a numbers game...the problem is that it can be hard to find jobs that we like so it is hard to put the numbers in your favor.

Send a nice thank you note to the company and let them know that you'd like to be considered for future positions. If they had one good position perhaps they'll have another.

Also you may want to ask the manager if he/she can refer you to other people in the business who could use someone with your skills. These actions may not be comfortable to carry out...but they just might help you get a good job.

Okay...one more thing...you can't look for work 24/7. Try to do some fun, but cheap activities every day. My local library lets you rent movies for free. I watched all 100 movies in the American Film Institute's top 100 list.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Companies pay a part of the premium. It is up to the business how much of the premium they pay. TO get a poor policy on your own costs more than $400 a month. More like $1200 a month if you want anything close to a excellent group policy. Companies are starting to drop health insurance policies because the premiums are getting too high even for them. Soon you won't even be able to afford health insurance through your workplace because the premiums are getting worse and businesses are dropping them to cut cost or raising employee contributions every year. Some yearly pay rasies barely even cover the cost of increase of health care insurance. There is also the fact that most Americans work poor quality jobs because thanks to free trade all the good jobs that once supplied health insurance are overseas. For your logic to hold any reason or logic at all, Walmart would have to offer decent health care for cheap to their employees, and they don't. $400 is actually the usual employer contribution for a good group policy for each employee. While the employee will usually pay anywhere from $250 to $450 a month depending on how low of deductibles they want and if they want prescriptions covered instead of having to pay a lot out of pocket een while paying for insurance. You don't really see past your own nose, do you? People have looked into it and can't afford it. Obviously by your dreamworld beliefs of reality, you have not. but don't let injection of fact deter you from your little irrational rant.

Answer 5

I agree with a previous answer, why not try a government job? They look at mainly experience, not age. The pay is really great, and so are the hours (I work Monday-Friday 7am to 3:30 pm, weekends off, and make over $16 an hour. And that's without any kind of degree). You can't beat working for the Federal Government, and there are tons of opportunities through them out there!! Here's a website to start your search-

www.fedjobs.gov

good luck!! and don't be down, we all go through rough times, just take them as a learning experience!!

Answer 6

Been there, done that, bought the tee shirt.

But hey, you have to move on and find the motivation to keep going for something else, while all the while keeping your network alive and maybe sometime down the road landing a job with this company after a while longer.

Keep your head up, keep your chin up, you have to because future interviewers will see and sense your despondency and it could hurt you in future interviews.

Answer 7

That's a tough situation. You will run into problems because of your age. Why not focus towards a government job? They are easier to get in, the work's not as difficult, you get lots of vacation time and you get the bills paid. It may be a slight pay cut, but once you are in, promotion and advancement is very easy. Plus, you're more likely than not protected by a union.

Answer 8

I understand that because of your age you must have a lot of experience... I suggest you start your own business... even tough it might take a year or two to recover investment, that's equal or less time that you'll spend either in a crappy job or looking for something... keep it up!

Answer 9

I am over 50. At my age I started my own business because of 911, I am in NYC.
The world not kind to over 50 people, it wasn't to me or my friends all over 50.
Keep your head up dress youunger.

Good Luck

Answer 10

Allow yourself ONE day only to wallow, then hit the pavement! Certainly there is a company out there that would be lucky enough to have your expertise! Good luck in all sincerity.