I was laid off this time last year. I was with Dell in various sales roles for 20 years right out of college. I became an adult and professional with Dell. What I’m learning is my Dell skill set isn’t seen as that well trained or valuable to many other companies. Maybe it’s a bit of age discrimination as well, but surely being early 40s doesn’t mean I’m already retired from any tech job does it? I don’t know. I’ve been doing gig work to survive, but I used to have a real career, decent pay, benefits, savings, retirement, travel, dignity… feels like I’m worse than back to square one now. I feel like I’m going to lose everything I’ve spent two decades building in my life because I can’t find another job like what I had at the only job I’ve ever really known. I used to be the guy that had enough to help friends when they were hitting rough patches, now I’m the one always asking for favors. Sorry, just having a panic attack in the middle of the night because of all of this. I’ve applied to hundreds of places, even outside of tech in other sales fields, and I feel like I do great in the multiple rounds of interviews, just to get rejected or even worse, absolute crickets. I can’t go entry level in another totally different field because I’m either seen as too old to be an apprentice, or too over qualified (they feel) for an entry level thing. So how do I start over then?! I also have other friends and former coworkers that have been recently laid off, so now I feel like I’m competing with them for a role. It’s all so frustrating and frankly scary. Make it make sense. I just want to work again.
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@133 I’m the original poster and I finally got an offer from AMD!!! I guess the universe just needed to see me hit rock bottom emotionally before it lifted me out of this He-l. The pay is a little less than what I was making before (it’s a lower level position), but it comes with some promotion opportunities I didn’t have at Dell, so I’m excited.
I was 47 when let go after 25+ years, great severance (2 yrs). Were out of job for 2 years and then landed a similar management position ~4 months ago. Love it!
Don't give up pal.
those who can...go into software, those who cannot...go into sales. Simple as that.
@ap Oh yes, let's blame Trump now... LOL. For what exactly? The job market is not great for ANYBODY. It honestly hasn't been very good for the last 4 years tbh.
Simply put, the more experience you have the higher pay you demand. Companies know this and there is nothing special about being in sales. Anyone can be in sales. There is no SKILL to do it. Sorry but there just isn't. It's not like IT/technology in which people pay for and get sought after certifications that pertain to their career/job they want. Being and having been in the IT/Cyber/Networking world for over 15 years, college grads are NOT the type of people we are hiring nor wanting.
Sales is different though. Have an outgoing personality? Personable/likeable? Bo-m, you have a job. A 40 year old who's been in sales for 20 years is far less likely to get hired compared to a 23-26 year old with little to know experience - so long as they have the personality. AND they can pay them half of what they'd have to pay a 20 yr sales vet.
But yes, lets blame trump because CNN told you to.
I hate to say it but, sales/tech sales is so oversaturated at this point and no offense to you but like, quite literally anybody can be in tech sales. Or sales in general, as long as they have a half decent personality and are more extroverted than introverted. Yes, sales does take skill but most companies would far prefer to hire someone out of college with that "go get it" attitude than one who's been in it for 20+ years who, realistically has the better skills and know hows but, it's money. You are expensive at this point. Why should a company hire someone like you who demands what, 150/year at least? versus a 23 year old who they can pay 80k + commission.
@OP Regarding my story below. The job I took at EMC was one step above entry level and I left near the top of the engineering levels. So don’t rule out near entry level or apprentice all together.
@OP What did you do for Dell? Sales, support, logistics, development. To say you had a tech job is too broad a focus to find another one.
And don’t get too discouraged (I know easier said than done) but I was 47 years old and laid off for fourteen months, when I was hired by EMC. That was back when it meant something. I recently left, voluntarily, after 22 years.
Like others have said, focus on what you can do not just where you did it. Good luck.
Focus on your resume. Many people when listing past experience reads like a job description. Highlight your achievements to stand out. For example: Exceeded quotas by 140% for the past 6 years. Managed a large fortune 500 account driving a sales commit of $80M, etc.
Unfortunately to also get your resume by the automated AI bots be sure to use the correct 'buzz words'. Review the job description and include as many items that they are seeking in your highlights if possible.
Wishing you success in finding your next chapter!
try a trade or a totally different career path. think about what makes you happy. wishing you the best.
Dell is cringe on a resume.
Focus on upping your skillets, don’t rely on your Dell experience
you could start a podcast with the main goal of bashing Dell. Call it, 'You Don't Want To Work There'
Cleaning loos at McShite is always an option.
Most old guys I see/meet over zoom are in the Medical IT field, try those areas
Sad. You made a huge mistake that stayed in Dell for 20y.
Most people who stayed in Dell over 10y can't find job outside Dell after be laidoff. Becasue your skill is outdate.
@at Economic data does show that tariffs have had an impact on the job market. For competitive and customer reasons, companies are reluctant to raise prices to cover the significant increase in COGS from the tax on their production inputs. That means they have to reduce gross margins / EBITDA (not likely) or take Cost / Opex out of the P&L somewhere else. The easiest place to cut is the Labor line, as people expenses are usually a big part of the cost structure. When you are cutting the labor line, you are not out on the market growing your headcount or even backfilling your attrition. Never mind the negative effect of tariff chaos on the general economy causing companies to pull back on investments, delay projects, etc.
Get creative - start something that you love and that you are passionate about!
This is a normal pain you are going through. You were at Dell for 20y.
right now you stink of dell whether you want to admit it or not.
Your career was stagnant 10y ago while at Dell. You just didn't know it. Now the market it telling you.
It's going to take some work to break out of that. To unlearn a lot of the garbage dell instilled in you. To overcome a lot of the negative stigma of being at dell for 20y.
Pretty sure even Confucius wanted to ghost his job. Sometimes you step away and the next thing finally has space to materialize.
Just saying, those tariffs probably don’t have anything to do with the job market. Happy hunting my friend.
Thank Trump and AI if you want, but if things feel off, age might be part of the equation. Or skip the excuses and build something of your own.
Hey friend, I wish you to find the job you are looking for. You deserve it. Don't give up 🙏
they all want out until they are out and can't get back in anywhere and the severance has run out. The competition is much greater now as other companies are doing mass layoffs. You may wish to rethink what you are hoping for. Take it from people who had the same wish and now have buyer's remorse. Unless you're close to retirement or independently wealthy, it's something you do not want.
Ppl here are mostly freaking out as they are not able to get out. Madness isn’t over and it seems never ending.