3 Strikes Against You on a Job Search: White-Collar Positions, Age, Appearance

 Business Insider has developed a special niche featuring those struggling to find a job. Recently the profile was of Sean Tetpon. During the last 12 months he has applied for 1,000 jobs in corporate communications, without landing a job offer.

What the article per se and comments following the article point out are the three strikes against Tetpon:

Applying for a white-collar job and in a glutted field. 

Overall knowledge workers have been hit hard with unemployment in this era of cost-efficiency. Among the sectors hit hardest has been the whole continuum of communications, everything from hands-on content-creation to public relations. For one position Tetpon applied to on LinkedIn there had been 4,000 applications. 

It's useful to keep current with the field on professional anonymous network Reddit Public Relations.

What's hiring include healthcare, government and generative AI.

Being over-50. 

Tetpon should have been prepared for reduced opportunities. He is now 55. For a while now it's been out there: Pro Publica documented that once workers reach 50 there is 1) more than 50% chance they will be forced out and 2) if they find a job only 10% will make comparable compensation. 

In some professions, such as communications, professionals tend to age out faster. With so many technologies being embedded into the work process the aging out is accelerated even more. Those hiring mandate applicants already are proficient in those technologies. Along with that there tends to be the assumption that the aging haven't kept up with technology. The burden is on the over-50 to highlight that know-how in all job-search materials and during interviews. 

Not looking the part. 

Comments to the Business Insider article hammer that Tetpon's appearance is against him. Among what is cited is overweight. As a coach I would advise that he also lose the facial hair. 

Hitting the gym has become necessary to the search for work. Trim sends the message of alertness and high energy. 

So, what are options for this Gen Xer? He is a long way from Social Security and Medicare. He has to make a living. Currently he is considering filing for bankruptcy. 

As a coach who had previously operated in myriad aspects of communications for decades, I recommend that he train for a career path that is less age-conscious and more in demand. Those range from hands-on personal care to the trades. Of course, as I discuss in this article in O'Dwyer Public Relations, career change can be soul-wrenching. 

Meanwhile he should hold on to his driving gig and pick up others. That could prevent the bankruptcy filing. Having that on a credit rating can knock him out of the box in applying for future jobs. 

Since most of the comments to this Business Insider article were negative, Tetpon probably shot himself in the foot agreeing to the interview. He might have assumed it would attract the interest of those hiring. That is rarely the situation for the aging. As a communications professional he should have anticipated that. 

Overall, knowledge work is contracting, which could be a long-term trend. 

Here is what I say about aging and the hunt for freelance work in this award-winning podcast.

Life is hard. Business is even more difficult these days. Get answers – and relief. Jane Genova is a results-driven intuitive coach, tarot reader and content-creator related to careers. Complimentary consultation (please text/phone 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com)