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Original poster

Dh - lack of job interviews- age or season??

127 replies

Stressedgiraffe · 25/08/2023 11:50

Dh has been looking ( well sort of looking ) since June was sacked in April. He's 58 and works in IT. He wants remote senior level jobs, which he's qualified for but the few interviews he's done have been a no.
Is it his age or just because its summer?
He's finally agreed to sign on.
But aibu to think this is his sneaky way of trying to retire?

OP posts:
Longagonow96 · 25/08/2023 11:53

Why didn't he start looking in April? Summer is quieter hence better not to wait,

5128gap · 25/08/2023 11:56

If by sacked you mean the usual meaning of dismissed due to conduct/performance, then that won't help surely?

FictionalCharacter · 25/08/2023 12:01

He just needs to keep trying. You say he’s only had a few interviews. He needs to keep going.
I’m on interview panels sometimes and we have to reject very good candidates who could absolutely do the job, and do it well, because one person was outstanding. It’s just bad luck if you’re up against a good field of candidates, which you will be when you’re looking for senior roles. You have to try again until you find the right one.
Age shouldn’t be an issue. We select people strictly on how they meet the person specification. Age discrimination is illegal and most employers are very careful to ensure that they take steps to avoid being accused of it.

Original poster
Stressedgiraffe · 25/08/2023 12:02

Well he didn't tell me till May so not good. The reason they gave was underperformed also in probation period. Was out of work last year from June to Dec.
I'm frustrated and he's happily pottering around at home. Meanwhile I'm working and trying to cover everything

OP posts:
Milkand2sugarsplease · 25/08/2023 12:03

Sacked in April, only looking in June, now in August.

Not only is he going to have to explain getting sacked but also an increasing gap in employment making the sacking more prominent.

If you suspect he wants to retire, could he also be fluffing interviews??

He's also likely to be up against a lot of competition if it's senior jobs as the bottleneck effect happens. Could he look for a step or two below to get back in the workplace - though sounds like he'd be reluctant of retirement is his goal.

tweetsandchirps · 25/08/2023 12:03

Sacked or redundancy? Summer is a bad time to be looking for roles, people are away and this reflects on the job market. Age should not be too much of an issue, the IT job market is (well was) fairly buoyant. BUT he may need to manage his expectations and consider roles below or slightly outside of his expertise.

Whilst job hunting has he been doing any online courses to update his skills? There are lots of them out there.

Insommmmnia · 25/08/2023 12:03

If he was sacked the I would imagine that's the issue for senior roles in particular rather than his age or the season

That said recruitment can slow over summer with key people being on holiday

How many jobs a day is he applying for?

Badgergirl123 · 25/08/2023 12:03

DH works in IT and has just secured a new post, but he said it is a worryingly quiet market at the moment compared to the last time he was looking. A lot of companies are wanting people back in the office at least some of the time too. From the recruiters he's spoken to the feel is it should pick up.a bit from September. Hope he finds something soon 🙂

BellaBellla · 25/08/2023 12:04

Surely if he works in IT he would need to be flexible for onsite IT support even at senior level? So maybe it's the purely WFH that's the problem.

Original poster
Stressedgiraffe · 25/08/2023 12:05

It may be but we can't afford it. I'm younger than him so have 20 years left to work.

OP posts:
Insommmmnia · 25/08/2023 12:05

Sorry cross posted

Honestly if he was sacked for underperforming in a senior role he needs to apply for a more junior role

ntmdino · 25/08/2023 12:07

Almost nobody is going to hire someone for a permanent position at that age - it's not legal, but it's reality.

He's going to have a much easier time getting contract roles appropriate to his experience level.

Insommmmnia · 25/08/2023 12:07

BellaBellla · 25/08/2023 12:04

Surely if he works in IT he would need to be flexible for onsite IT support even at senior level? So maybe it's the purely WFH that's the problem.

It depends on the IT role

That said a lot are asking for at least hybrid regardless of the role

And personally as a hiring manager in IT I would be extremely reluctant to take anyone on who had been sacked for underperformed as a purely remote hire

DungballInADress · 25/08/2023 12:08

Its absolutely not to do with market or season. Hi, HR person here.

Its a jobseekers market right now. Take anything related to his age off his CV (you do not need date of birth or anything like that on there). Age discrimination, even in the recruitment process is a problem for employers so interviewing/recruiting some diverse candidates is seen as a positive thing.

Is his CV up to date? Is it good quality? Is it with recruitment agencies who can approach employers on his behalf? If the answer to all of those is yes, then yes he wants to retire.

Overthebow · 25/08/2023 12:09

Employers are going to be wary of employing him for a senior level remote job if he was sacked and has been in and out of jobs for a couple of years. He probably needs to look at more junior roles which are not fully remote.

Original poster
Stressedgiraffe · 25/08/2023 12:09

He's good with the technology but a bit marmite with people.
He's OK with hybrid but I think a bit jealous of my work wfh except into office every few months which is for workshops. Staying in nice hotel and my colleagues are lovely.

OP posts:
Alwaysdecorating · 25/08/2023 12:10

Why was he out of work last year?

I am guessing it’s not his age. It’s that he was out of work for a long period last year and lasted only a few weeks in this job. Now has had another long break.

People don’t want to go to the expense and time of hiring Senior People, if they are going to be poor performers. They will be able to fine someone with a better (recent) track record, even if they have less experience.

I think you might be right. He is hoping to retire and any job he finds he will get sacked from. Or just keep turning down offers/performing badly at interviews etc.

Pebblepaint · 25/08/2023 12:11

A remote senior level job is always going to be harder for anyone. His age and the gaps in employment won't help, especially if the last job was short.

He probably need to be less choosy, but recruitment is tough currently so he'll get something if he wants it.

WillWeSeeTheSunAgain · 25/08/2023 12:11

It's his age. Once you're over 50, it's a nightmare. You'll probably get loads of people who come on here and say they got a job immediately but I am over 50 and the amount of our male friends, over 50, who struggle to get jobs is shocking. Took Dp almost 2 years to get something he really wanted and in the interim period it was v v difficult!

Thepeopleversuswork · 25/08/2023 12:12

ntmdino · 25/08/2023 12:07

Almost nobody is going to hire someone for a permanent position at that age - it's not legal, but it's reality.

He's going to have a much easier time getting contract roles appropriate to his experience level.

Really? It depends on the industry, the individual and the level of experience, surely?

In my industry it wouldn't be an issue at all.

I think its much more likely to be mainly because he was sacked and to a lesser extent because its summer. It does sound like he's not really working very hard at it.

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 25/08/2023 12:12

He needs to sign in with some agencies for temporary work and to be willing to go into the office.

Spirallingdownwards · 25/08/2023 12:14

How did he find himself out of work last year too? Was that redundancy or sacking? He doesn't look like a good catch for firms with recent gaps and being sacked. If you think he is looking to retire or not work I suspect you know best.

Do you want to stay attached to someone who seems to be workshy and looking to live off you especially as you are still young.

BoohooWoohoo · 25/08/2023 12:15

My ex is a similar age and works in IT telecoms and he now has to go into work a couple of days a week and travel after a few years of fully remote. I don't know if it's an industry wide thing but possibly is now.

NowYouSee · 25/08/2023 12:16

Wanting a senior role remote only will significantly narrow his options. A lot of places are now insisting new starters are at least hybrid and I’m hearing this particularly in leadership roles rather than individual contributor roles. Particularly when his recent CV is sub optimal. Time to start thinking what he is willing to compromise on if he is serious about finding work. But sounds like you think he isn’t.

nobabiesyet · 25/08/2023 12:16

It appears from the surface that he isn't really trying. He should sign up with some recruiters. He will seem less attractive to companies if he's not been at work for a while. Has he been keeping his skills updated. Obviously August isnt prime recruitment time as lots are on leave but its Sept soon. Maybe he needs a different type of job if he was sacked for poor performance. Many people will be aiming to work until 68 so he has 10 good years he could be working. Unless he has a stellar pension. Is he on Linked In ? Reaching out to ex colleagues?

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