I was RIF’d on the first day of FY 2018 as well as many other SaaS Solutions Consultants. I never really thought of myself as old but I soon experienced the challenges of being a late 50’s customer-facing software sales professional looking for work again. Directly applying for open positions at the usual suspects where I thought I should be hired based on my resume alone, I found myself consistently stonewalled. I could never even make it past the preliminary HR screen and this was even after shaving 10 years off my resume. One of these companies even aggressively courted me 7 years ago but now there was zero interest. I probably should have left Oracle years ago on my own terms when I realized how bad the SaaS apps we were selling were. Every recent sale I was involved in resulted in customer satisfaction issues. I won’t miss that.
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Unfortunately, Oracle does not have a good grasp on how to monetize skills. As a SE in my 60's my memory is not what it use to be however my analytic skills are outstanding. I found this particularly useful in pointing out when were chasing the wrong customer problem.
The company seems to be too focused on parroting the marketing messages. I can't tell you how many new SaaS sales reps I've how to educate on the fact that there is no common data base for SaaS applications. Even Fusion Applications don't share all the data between ERP, HCM and Sales.
"The WWII kids get it - work work work"
Actually, they got pensions and retired in their 50's.
Here’s an article from a few years ago showing a summary of the average age at leading tech companies. Oracle was second for the oldest average age. If I’m too old for Oracle then where can I go ??, LOL.
https://amp.businessinsider.com/facebook-linkedin-salesforce-workers-2015-11
Solaris C programmer = Linux C programmer, and no I don't give f--- about FreeBSD.
I suspected age discrimination when I was put out in a layoff at Oracle. Being in my 60s and looking for a new place was extremely stressful. After 5 weeks of looking, I took a serious look at what value I could provide to a company, and started the interview process at a tech company that wanted that skill set. Having decades of experience is valuable in working with customers. I was hired 6 weeks later at vastly more money than what I got at Oracle. Unfortunately, people laid off in their 50s will end up earning at least 13.5% less than what they received. Also expecting to work until age 65 is also not happening for many older workers. Best of luck to people who are looking for a company that will value them for their experience.
Bare Metal no. Motley Crue yes, thank god for Netflix.
Sounds like you need some Bare Metal Cloud!
@YiRcOot-asr: Upgrade your wardrobe? To someone who has been unemployed for a while, on what, exactly? Bus tokens?
@YiRcOot-iio: Unfortunately, unless you have a "baby face," you won't get past the interview...
No duh, work until your useless, Dad worked worked until 72 as EE. Uncle worked well into 70s as a doctor. The WWII kids get it - work work work. I want my MTV- Medicare at 50. We're f---ed generation X.
"How are people supposed to last until Medicare? Seems like most people are pushed out at 50."
The new common wisdom is that not only do you have to save for retirement, but that you also have to save for the gap time before you get social security and medicare, which can be years of un/underemployment.
We're told that we'll have to work until we're at least 70, but no one wants to hire oldsters. Save every penny you can.
Oracle been berry berry good to me. SNL skit from 80s. Oh well, time to to get a job and double dip. See ya latter b--ches.
It's like dating, if you've been out of the scene for a while. You can't expect women to just jump all over you. New dates won't come easy. It's a skill and hunt that needs to be relearned.
Also, first thing one focuses on improving is looks. Lose weight, exercise, upgrade your wardrobe, have a spring in your step.
I was RIFed in Jul 18 after almost 23 years and am facing the same issue, 50 seems to be the cutoff. Been told by at least 4 recruiters I am unhirable at small companies, they are looking for millennials. Per a recruiter suggestion (because they said age discrimination is illegal but rampant)I removed all of the dates from my resume and am now getting call backs.
How are people supposed to last until Medicare? Seems like most people are pushed out at 50.
I got laid off at my last job after they hired 2 fresh out of college grads. I foresee this many years before already so I saved up to the point I don't depend on my job's salary anymore so when they laid me off, I just smiled and be happy because I can retire. That was my last job. Now I chill out at the beach everyday :)
Age discrimination is everywhere, you have to be well under 40 to have a "normal" job search. Connections are the only real help so cultivate them before you need another job.
It is there for sure. The problem is where to put employees who are older by age but not in prime positions. After all, not everyone will be head of department. The companies fail to leverage experience and end up hiring employees with less experience and sometimes at lower salary as well.
Think age discrimination is bad in tech? try fashion, acting, modelling, dancing, physical therapy.