Golden Opportunities?

Sorry I haven't written for a few days, we have been working virtually round the clock....some very good things are in the works for Jobs4.0 users. They will make a difference to job seekers over 40 finding real job opportunities.... Details to come.

I finally found a little time this morning to look at newspapers. Very interesting article on page 1 of yesterday's NY Times, regarding 'golden hello' pay packages that big companies are now using to entice top execs to join their companies.

Apparently the tens of millions in compensation is no longer enough to attract some execs, such as James McNerney of Boeing, they now need to be 'made whole' by being granted - on a guaranteed basis-- the value of any bonuses, stock options, pension benefits, etc. that they abandoned at their prior employer (the poor things!). It all adds up to tens of millions of dollars paid to CEOs before any work is done.

Let's assume that Mr. McNerney is worth it, that he and other CEOs are in fact worth such riches merely and literally just for showing up on day one. The Times' excellent and exhaustive report left out one fact --- Mr. McNerney's age: he is 57....... Let me see if I've got this right, prominent employers throughout the US routinely hire top execs over 40 and find new ways to heap compensation on them. Yet these same companies have HR departments that routinely deny job seekers over 40 even the right to interview for a job that pays 75K, or 50K or 135K a year because they are 'too experienced', 'too expensive' or 'too senior'.

Companies never seem to hesitate to hire a 57 yr old CEO - they don't balk because they are worried about his ability to work hard, to take on new challenges at that age, the impact it will have on the companies health insurance premiums, etc; all the things that job seekers tell me they hear as reasons why they get rejected by these same companies for much lower paying jobs.

Perhaps one reason for this contradiction is that ageism works like all other discrimination does. A company's bias against all older job seekers doesn't extend to older people that THEY KNOW. Oh, that person is different.

Mr. McNerney was certainly a known quanity to Boeing, they knew the substantial value he could add to their company. He was already a high profile executive, widely known by corporate boards. But the thousands of other skilled and unskilled job seekers over 40 are not known by the HR managers at companies like Boeing. All they see is the candidates graduation dates and age, and way too often that's enough to get Mr. or Mrs. 40+ Job Seeker a golden rejection letter.
Instead, the HR department should spend a little time getting to know these over 40 job seekers. After all, saying "hello" to THEM doesn't cost a thing.

Here's the link to the Times article "Pay Packages Allow Executives to Jump Ship.." http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/29/business/29whole.html
Happy new year, Mr. McNerney, and to everyone else as well. Hope you all get wished a golden hello to 2007!

The Reason We Started Jobs4.0..

Here's an email we received today. Many more like it in our inbox.
From AH. Scottsdale: “Whew......... I thought I was alone, after reading the story on www.msnbc.com about you and your company I never thought that 40 was the new 60 when it came to making a new career change. I am 41 years old (although I feel 25) and with what I feel are a lot of successes under my belt, yet I feel that I am being "2 week'ed" to death by companies and recruiters to whom I have been speaking with over the past month. I was wondering if I am considered too old at what I feel is the best time of my life and with so much dedication and experience left to offer. I have recently relocated from San Francisco to the Phoenix/Scottsdale area after selling my company and feel that I could possibly be an asset to any organization… I was very impressed with your attitude towards this new and seemingly rising problem for people in our age bracket and it makes sense that we need to stick together, I am sure there are many 40 somethings out there that feel the same resistance….

Once again, congratulations on a stellar article and Happy New Year!”

I'll continue to post samples of these emails. I'd also like to have job seekers share the strategies that they have come up with to deal with ageism. Anyone have any good stories to share? what about things that have not worked?
I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays,
Steven

Job Seeker Emails

Here are emails that I have received:
From SM, Florida:
"Thank you! I read about you and your new company on MSN.com. -it's a great idea!
I live in South FL and have 30 years exp in the medical device and biotech industry and have
been sending resumes for months without even one interview.
I will continue to check the site and if I can help you out in any way, please let me know.
Good Luck and Continued Success!" December 24, 2006, 2:50 PM

From DL, Illinois:
"It is good to see someone making an effort to help out a group of people that is discriminated against on a routine basis. While there are laws that are suppose to protect those of us over 40 they are not very effective.

I lost my job last April after 7.5 years of service which included above average ratings my last 2 years. New management was brought in and it seems the more "Senior" people started having all sorts of problems. I have talked to other people and have found this to be a disturbing pattern within my previous company.

In an effort to support my family I am now looking to change careers if needed.

Once again thanks for your effort." December 24, 2006, 5:40 PM.

Bill, SF
"Though I'm over 40 and currently employed, I've seen first hand how companies (especially in the High Tech industry) can age discriminate. It definitely seems the cut off is around 41 or so. I read the article about you and your company on MSNBC and love it. Keep up the great work (and if you need volunteers, or what not, I'd be happy to help in what ever way possible)."
December 25 2006 9:36 PM

Over 40 and Under the Radar

Are you a better worker now at 40 plus than you have ever been? Do you work more efficiently? Do you make better decisions, do you bring more value to your job now than you ever did? Jobs4.0 is based on the premise that candidates over 40 are vastly undervalued and underappreciated. Are we right?
Steven

MSNBC.com and Forbes.com discover Jobs4.0

Is Over 40 Over the Hill? I don't think so! Check out this article.
Happy holidays.
Steven
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16315196/