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

[Stressedgiraffe]

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?

Yes, really - particularly in IT, it takes a massive amount of business and systems knowledge to be effective, and those things are specific to the company. There are two problems with older folk:

1 - Older people tend to learn more slowly, on average (I know, I know...), so there's more time investment in getting them to the point of effectiveness.

2 - There's a good chance they're going to retire early and take that investment with them before you're ready (also common in IT, where the salaries tend to be higher so people tend to have enough built up that they can afford to bugger off early).

I'm not saying I support this state of affairs, it's just the way it seems to go.

If he wants/need to work then he needs to be applying for anything he can get. Increasing gaps in employment history only gets more questionable. I really wouldn't blame the seasons. Honestly it sounds like he doesn't want another job.

There are lots of factors here. His age will unfortunately count against him, also the performance issues with his previous job and the fact that he is being too picky. August is quiet for recruitment but I think even in the autumn these factors will make it hard for him. He needs to consider a wider range of roles.

He resigned just before he didn't pass probation it was extended.

Ah, I see there are some problems. Very patchy recent employment history, underperformance, “a bit marmite with people” which means he could be coming across badly at interview. But since he resigned he can say that on his cv, as he wasn’t sacked as you said originally.

He should be lowering his sights and looking at temporary assignments, more junior roles and freelance work.

You're gonna have to get tough on him op otherwise he might be looking to ride on your coat tails for the next twenty years.

He needs a job. Any job. He needs to lower his expectations. Fired, gap, over 50, none of it is good. And let's face it, we women know and talk about it all the time the amount of middle aged men who have been promoted way beyond their calibre. We know they're out there, and I don't think I've ever heard of a male owning it. And some of them must be. Also, the Peter principle. The jobs he's applying for are beyond his capabilities.

Does he have form for taking the piss and letting you do everything? I'd be furious in your position.

Is that the job that he got sacked from this year?

or did he also get sacked last year as well?

It could be a bit of both....

But given his recent employment history I'd suggest he needs to be looking at roles a grade or two below what he was working at. Given that there were under performance issues. And also due to these reasons, he's probably looking at the very least a hybrid role.

It does look like he's trying to sneakily retire though. Maybe if that's the case then he takes on a part time role - delivery driver etc etc, to contribute to the finances. Does he have a decent pension pot?

I’m confused by your thought process, unless there’s missing context. Your title is “lack of interviews” but you go on to say he’s had a few interviews and has been unsuccessful. That is not the same thing as your title.

If he’s getting interviews then his applications are of a decent enough quality. He isn’t purposely sabotaging his chances. He needs to seek feedback and refine his interview skills. He’s a lot closer to finding a job than you’re giving him credit for. It doesn’t seem like he’s trying to retire but instead giving his applications effort in an attempt to secure the job. Maybe there genuinely were better candidates or maybe he could have elaborated more on X or Y. He won’t know unless he asks. I’m not sure what you think he’s being sneaky about, as hundreds of people must fail job interviews. It’s not an uncommon thing when job hunting

While he's not working is he doing all the cooking, cleaning, laundry and child-related tasks (if you still have DC at school)? That might help put him off the idea of early retirement!

He should have started looking as soon as he knew he would be dismissed.

He needs to contact recruitment agencies, reaching out to his network and sending lots of applications etc. go down a grade if necessary.

I couldn't be with someone who takes the piss like he is doing.

I suspect it's his attitude rather than his age or the job market. If he's secretly angling to retire he might be quite disinterested during the interview process, that would definitely put prospective employers off.

It sounds like he is creating barriers - only senior level posts, only wfh etc.

He wants to retire but unless he has a fabulous pension that he can access now, it is not really an opion.

Examine your finances and then tell him what weekly or monthly or annual contribution he needs to make to day-to-day living costs, holidays, savings etc. Up to him how he does is - a lucrative contract for 8 months a year; a senior job on reduced hours; a more full time job at a lower level; 48 hours a week in minimum wage...

If he can't / won't / doesn't manage to get a job then he presumably has no money to spend on hobbies, a pint in the pub, or holidays.

What I would say as someone in a digital role, is that he might be too selective in the jobs he applies for.

Eg remote working. Is he applying for non remote jobs too? Remote working should be a factor but not the priority. EG I can work remotely but have a hybrid contract. It was also listed as hybrid in the job description. I am offered remote work due to building trust. And the days I go to the office are absolutely fine and don’t impact my work/life balance. If he declined a job like mine right off the bat, he could be missing out on the right job for him.

Also I don’t think the season is relevant for digital roles. It’s a high demand field throughout the year and some industries even have a skills deficit eg the civil service pays digital staff an additional retention allowance.

He hasn’t got recent IT experience at a senior level and he was previously underperforming. Qualifications aren’t enough when these factors are in play. He might be suited for senior roles. Digital roles are highly competitive and people fresh out of university are likely to be able to do the same things he can and expectations are higher. What’s his expectations of a senior role? Is he stuck in a decade old idea of his expected roles/responsibilities?

He might NOT be suited for senior roles*

Job hunting is a numbers game, and requires a steely-eyed, obsessive approach to get an offer, especially at senior levels. You can't let a few no's slow you down.

It sounds like he's aiming to sneakily slide into retirement without a discussion with you, though. Unacceptable!

It seems like there's a number of factors against him:

Age (but I don't believe age is a factor if the skills & ability are there)
Poor recent employment record
Not good with people
Very selective criteria
Lazy attitude towards looking

You seem to thing it's a market or employer issue, it's not it's his half asked approach to getting a job. If you need the money, he has to prioritise earning an income, the job search & explaining the last few years. No one is going to hand him a remote senior job and he needs to adjust his approach and expectations.

Neither age nor season - just shear laziness of your OH.

Tell him to get his act together

(edit for typo)

If he's a senior manager what's his pension like. I'll be taking my employer pension in 6 months and with DH state and personal pensions we will be reasonably comfortable.

If he wants to retire maybe he could temp for a couple of years until he hits 60 and then retire.

I work in recruitment and the summer slump is real on both sides. April would have been a good time to start looking but that’s neither here nor there now.

September is always a busy season for hiring, so I’d recommend he get his CV up to scratch and start connecting on LinkedIn (if he doesn’t have a LinkedIn, he should get one). I’d advise he doesn’t put his age on his CV, as some companies prefer to hire younger (which is completely ageist!!)

I’d also recommend he be clear and upfront on his salary expectations and his desire to WFH. Full time WFH is starting to be phased out in a lot of companies, but there are still some willing to go fully remote for the right candidate.

He should also look at mid level roles, as often time someone senior will apply for a mid level, but receive a higher position that might not be advertised to the public yet.

It is summer, so everyone is pretty much on leave and in my job, have been since early July. Things are very slow.

But honestly, we probably wouldn't interview someone we knew was fired from their previous role.

I don't care whether it is a senior role or not. He just needs to get something.
He has no pension he cashed it in last year.
Doesn't drink no hobbies except gardening

He needs to be prepared to work in an office

Hmmm…. I think a “Come to Jesus” discussion with him is in order. He can’t have all the things he wants and it doesn’t sound like he is qualified for for what he’s after at any rate.

His choices are find a job that he can successfully keep and keep that job successfully. Which means setting his sights lower than he has been; In person, lower level, and probably lower paid.

He can position his step down as a strategic move “I’m looking to get back to my roots in IT because I miss the hands on aspect of the job” “I realize that I was burning myself out and am looking to be an individual contributor again” etc…

He probably hasn’t been effective in the higher roles and is now lacking confidence, but that doesn’t mean he just gets to exist without having a job.