Seeking Help: A Plea from an Experienced Professional

"I need help..." These are three words that few will say, and many struggle to acknowledge. Today, I find myself in need of assistance, though I must admit, I’m not entirely sure what specific aid I require. This feeling, I fear, is not unique to me. For those of us beyond the age of 50 seeking employment in the realm of technology, the sentiment is all too familiar. As a 63-year-old professional reaching out in desperation for more opportunities, the statistics are stark. Amid submitting 200 tailored resumes, I secure a single interview. Yes, one out of every 200 customized applications, blessed by resume experts, yields a single interview. Less than 1% productive return.

Resume experts have said my resumes are perfectly done and customized appropriately to the position. They have no advice. When I interview, I do deep research and preparation. I usually come in second or third place in positions where I have invested time, energy, and believed myself to be a great fit for the position and the culture of the company. The latter is most important to me.

I need help.

Despite a 38-year career in technology revenue generation and team leadership, rich with innovation, collaboration, and a consistent track record of success, there comes a point where experience is discounted, and wisdom overlooked. This is not the fate of everyone, and if this is not pertinent to you, you are blessed, and I am happy for your good fate. However, there are numerous individuals in a similar predicament as I find myself today.

I am not alone. I need help. We need help.

I bear no obvious signs of depression, but I may be the exception - or maybe I am just in denial. My demeanor is not melancholic, yet I carry a sense of tension and worry. My angst is derived from an unyielding desire to secure meaningful work where I can finish my career. Nevertheless, I remain resolute in my confidence, having endured the setbacks with resiliency. I am primarily concerned about the quiet suffering my family must endure, particularly my wife, witnessing my countless efforts yielding little success. In raising awareness around my plight, I also wish to shine a light on the broader community of seasoned professionals in similar circumstances. It is my hope that we might find the help we so desperately require.

An increasingly recurring theme is that of my esteemed ex-colleagues, many of whom boast numerous shared accolades and honors - and have been searching much longer than me. On multiple occasions, we found ourselves at the pinnacle of revenue generation, putting us at the forefront of innovation and success. I firmly believe in our collective capabilities, which do not wane with age, but rather, continue to evolve and strengthen. Experience, culminating into a wealth of knowledge, is our Big Data, akin to a treasure trove of insights and competencies, essential for faster and more assured decision-making.

We can help.

The holiday season offers ample opportunity to reflect, to cherish, but also to endure loss. The memory of a loved one no longer with us can prompt moments of subdued melancholy. Still, despite the emotional turmoil, I remain unwavering in my endeavor to stay focused, to celebrate and appreciate those still present. It is instances such as these that underscore our urgency to secure gainful employment. At a more advanced age, the desire for financial security is amplified, and the need to feel valued and productive remains a driving force.

There is a kinship to be found in likening ourselves to aging shelter puppies, yearning for a loving family to embrace and nurture us - because we still have much to give in return. We are appreciative, we are productive, and we have the potential to elevate and enhance the productivity of an entire team. Though we may not come cheap, we are not exorbitant. The positions we long for exist, yet the recipients are also remunerated. The value we offer is immeasurable.

I offer these words not solely for my own liberation but with the intent to shed light on the collective plight of many. I am surely not alone and I know there are many much worse off than I find myself. At 63, I am determined to continue my professional journey for at least another eight to ten years - hopefully at one more company. We are a collective of seasoned professionals with so much to give, and we seek to share our expertise and mentorship with the emerging generation. Let us not be cast aside. Instead, let us be embraced and regarded as invaluable assets to one’s corporate family.

We need help, and we desire to help.

I might also point out that I keep perspective. I am not living in a war zone. I am still able to have a roof over my head and eat with self-determined regularity. I am still one of the fortunate ones. I get that. I keep repeating that my perspective is my reality.

My sincere hope is that we, the undersigned voices of experience and wisdom, are heard and sought after, finding new beginnings as we usher in the year 2024. I, for one, await new opportunity beneath my tree, in my stocking, or in my wooden shoes, as fittingly chosen by my Dutch heritage.

Warm regards, and may the New Year bring new hope and new opportunities to us all. Cheers!