I've been trying to find something new for months. I've got plenty of experience, but I can't get a single interview. Is age really that big of a factor? I'm 54.
33 replies (most recent on top)
@zf correct, in California the layoffs are so deep Newsom has a new AI executive order.
Add on top of that China has reduced the cost of AI dramatically with its latest models and lower training costs. China, if geopolitics don’t interfere, will be the new tech outsourcing destination not India.
Most Chinese model trainers/engineers are self employed as they want more freedom from the 996 culture.
@xr that pay grade level is leadership, NOT contributor. Curious the company has that many leadership positions open. The other angle on postings like this is they will have unrealistic requirements and are used to justify visa hiring.
And, yes the industry is going through a wage correction. The $25-$35 hourly wage is $52k-$72k in salary terms. Would it be a bit more in California vs Minnesota, yes of course it would. The decline is relative.
Are there still some over hyped AI engineer posting, sure but just look at Oracle as an example - AI build out/massive layoffs. Lots of press on this so I suggest looking into it as it’s ripping through the tech sector.
Prior to the dot com bo-m/bust tech jobs were NOT high wage but more in line with general labor. Massive investment in tech as a growing field pushed wages higher. Then, offshoring took hold and corporations have been holding the US wages higher to maintain the visa pipeline narrative. However, geopolitical events are forcing a hard pivot on that.
@xw "Hiring manager not moving forward". That means they're fake job postings. Just going through the motions until it ages out and they can hire offshore. Most companies are doing this now unfortunately.
@xr that's the correct range. I applied just last week to an internal posting. Range was up to 245k. However nothing happened, recruiter said hiring manager not moving forward, no explanation and asked me not to contact them.
@gm I know he's getting paid 200k cuz I am the hiring manager, grade 31. Range for 30 in OT s 140s to 240s. There are literally dozens of job postings right now publicly showing the range. To Others here claiming 35/hr etc, pls fact check!
@fg so you failed nearly 300 interviews?
I am 28, been here 4 years, applied to 400 internal jobs and nothing. Only a few interviews. I always meet metrics and perform well.
"You have to connect with headhunters who are actively searching for candidates to fill real open positions."
This is the way these days. Job boards are cr-p...if you've been in the industry for a while, reach out to people who know you and your work. This is where I start to feel bad for those who've ONLY worked for Optum their whole careers...your network is minimal...
You have to connect with headhunters who are actively searching for candidates to fill real open positions. Applying to jobs online is mostly a futile and demoralizing effort. Focus on connecting to recruiters and hiring managers who are serious about hiring. Don’t give up. It takes longer these days.
@OP Do not include anything on your application or resume that states your age. Leave off any graduation years. I am 56 and it took me 4 mos but I was able to land a job through LinkedIn and I knew no one at the company. Good luck.
IT, Grade 28, 15 years, not even close to those figures.
@gf 🥴
@gf 30 is senior director level. Data engineer or software engineer are generally grades 25 - 28. Leadership starts at grade 29. And unfortunately it is true, the tech wage bubble is deflating. I also know that it would be unusual for you to know what peers on your team make and no person in leadership would post that here. If you do make that yourself and you are still employed count yourself lucky.
@ag Bad assumption. It's ready to draw a conclusion on your age simply by your resumes documented experience.
@eb OMG why are you spreading lies.. literally most us IT jobs listed on uhg/optum are in the 140-250k range. We just hired a SG30 at 200k. Everyone in our team makes 170-180 minimum
@ap most leaders are straight white males... Especially on the business side.
Overall job market is terrible. Its firmly in the advantages of companies and they are acting accordingly. Hiring very little with lower salaries. Keep trying though may just take much longer
I left Optum a month ago after nearly a year long job search. Out of 300 applications, I only had 6 interviews and 1 offer even with a lot of experience.
The trick is to stop cold applying on the websites. Try to find the actual hiring managers or recruiters and contact them via email or LinkedIn. I was able to get an interview almost every time I actually talked with the recruiter versus submitting resumes alone. I wanted to give up so many times but leaving Optum is and was worth it. The grass is greener on the other side.
@ap Couldn't agree more. Did you ever notice that they NEVER include Heteros-xual, White males in any of their public-facing postings?
@OP I've seen it over and over again where they promote less qualified but much younger individuals.
I wouldn’t hire someone close to retirement unless they are willing to take a pay cut
Absolutely!
$25-35 per hour? I made Over $200 for two hours of busking at the train station. I was lied to.
It's not your age unless you have let your skills get stale. The tech industry in the US is going through a massive wage correction. The average tech hourly rate has collapsed down to roughly $25-$35 per hour. Because of AI there is no 'seniority' or 'experience' premium being offered. It's being repriced as basic 'service' wages similar to retail/assembly work - staffing firms will tell you this. Mainstream media is refusing to tell the story. Yes, that low. So, you are most likely pricing yourself out.
@bt Problem is, leaving out dates is also a 'tell'. Can't win.
Wanting career advise from a layoff sit is very telling.
Are you including too much information on your resume? It should only have 15 years tops and be no longer than 2 pages and should not have any years for eduction listed.
Age? of course it is a factor. It is against the law if you are over 40. Who is enforcing this? No one. They can't ask your age. But they can ask, "year you earned your undergraduate degree". "What was your GPA"? Who gives a sh-t about your GPA if you are over 30, other than wanting to hire people in their 20s. Age discrimination is rampant and endemic. They can't tell you that you are not being considered because you are "too old". Instead, they tell you that you are "overqualified", even if your resume is a strong match. AND, if they actually bring you in for a zoom interview, there is your over 40something face...
Cause all you boomers want over 100k and your 3 week vacations in a row.
Yes. Age is a factor. And at UnitedHealth Group, so is being a straight, white male.
Your age isn't a factor in getting interviews because it's hidden from talent acquisition due federal laws against discrimination. Discrimination can happen quietly though once you meet a hiring manager with camera on or in-person.
Sorry to hear...Being only few years behind you, I've shifted my focus to early retirement based on all of your stories.....Feeling like being on the chopping block for literally years here helps save money...but what a number it does on your psyche
Office work is very biased against anyone older than 40 - way less if never in the past but its the reality now in the last few years and worsening. They see being >40 as a liability (meaning more expensive).