after the fourth interview I get ghosted...is it my age? I can't see anywhere else to make $$$ as in sales but now that I hit 50 I can't get a sales gig to save my life!
adrianv
Too old to be in sales?
22
There are only 2 things certain on the Internet: Influencers and Ghosting Recruiters.
Fortunately, neither of them get to decide your fate or life. You do you, and keep that thing called "hope" up!
Fortunately, neither of them get to decide your fate or life. You do you, and keep that thing called "hope" up!
never too old. Sounds like you just have a lot of experience. lean into that on interviews.
If you’ve been in sales all this time, then you definitely have the experience. Just attack the job search like you would when you go sell accounts. People with your amount of experience are rare, and that should be of value.
Do you have any sales experience in those 50 years?
When you say ghosted after 4th interview do you mean you're getting 4 steps in with a company and they vanish? Becuase that's fucked up and reflects very poorly on them.
When you say ghosted after 4th interview do you mean you're getting 4 steps in with a company and they vanish? Becuase that's fucked up and reflects very poorly on them.
Started selling at 16 never looked back!
What kind of roles are you applying for?
AE or inside sales but remote heck after I have stacked up my cc I will take anything with decent OTE ,stability and integrity
Perhaps your perceived as being overqualified? If you've got 30 years of experience and are applying for jobs that require 3 years, hiring managers may feel something is off.
If that's the case, I'd advocate reaching out to hiring managers in advance of applying so they can get to know you and your motivation.
Also, with that many years experience I'd tap my personal network hard for opportunities.
If that's the case, I'd advocate reaching out to hiring managers in advance of applying so they can get to know you and your motivation.
Also, with that many years experience I'd tap my personal network hard for opportunities.
Yep, again…same thing. Maybe it doesn’t look good that I chose sales over school. But I was good at it and it paid a hell of a lot more.
I think it depends on where you apply to. There definitely are organizations which value experience.
Depends on the org, there's almost always been an older man or woman on my sales teams. One of my favourites actually ended up getting a cool job as "the office dad" where everyone would go to him for advice/therapy sessions.
Funny, I'm being hunted for roles and after the first few meetings keep being told I don't have "enough gray hair" yet. Basically, the old guard in management won't accept a younger guy making it to the position years before they did.
Companies get stuck with the concept of what their "ideal" candidate is. If those candidates are so "ideal" then why do the same company's recruiters keep reaching out to me every 6 months for similar if not more senior roles?
I now only take their calls just to stay on industry radars. I wouldn't have any interest in working for a company with an attitude of age > performance. We're all in this to make money and good experience = more money for everyone.
Companies get stuck with the concept of what their "ideal" candidate is. If those candidates are so "ideal" then why do the same company's recruiters keep reaching out to me every 6 months for similar if not more senior roles?
I now only take their calls just to stay on industry radars. I wouldn't have any interest in working for a company with an attitude of age > performance. We're all in this to make money and good experience = more money for everyone.
Want some grey hair? I'll share some of mine. ;)
But true - good companies are looking for "seasoned" reps and shouldn't be ask concerned about specific age, as such.
But true - good companies are looking for "seasoned" reps and shouldn't be ask concerned about specific age, as such.
Oh I'm going grey, or at least the hair I have left is lol
What positions are you thinking? Are you aiming too low for your experience, or too high for your experience.
I’m going to give it to you straight. No one wants to hire someone (especially if they are direct manager/supervisor) that is more experienced than them.
I’d call out the elephant in the room, that you’re 50 and understand typical candidates are 20-49 or whatever. Tell them what you bring to the table. Why you don’t want to hop after 2 years (shit lie if you have to) and that you still have so much to learn.
Relate. Impress. Smooch ass. STRONG CLOSE.
I’m going to give it to you straight. No one wants to hire someone (especially if they are direct manager/supervisor) that is more experienced than them.
I’d call out the elephant in the room, that you’re 50 and understand typical candidates are 20-49 or whatever. Tell them what you bring to the table. Why you don’t want to hop after 2 years (shit lie if you have to) and that you still have so much to learn.
Relate. Impress. Smooch ass. STRONG CLOSE.
This has seemed more successful for me recently than trying to prove why I’m capable of doing the job.
Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.
Experienced, not old. Attack the process like a major account. You got this.
what kind of experience do you have? WHat kind of roles are you applying for?
i hate to say it but ppl could 100% be using your age against you. and that really sucks.
but dont let that stop you from applying. you just have to find the right company.
when you find a company, go on linked in, do ANY of the sales ppl look your age? if not, could be a bad sign.
i hate to say it but ppl could 100% be using your age against you. and that really sucks.
but dont let that stop you from applying. you just have to find the right company.
when you find a company, go on linked in, do ANY of the sales ppl look your age? if not, could be a bad sign.
Def not too old and def don’t give up! Like others have said, companies get this idea stuck on their head of what the perfect sales person is and there’s no changing that. Keep searching and see if you find find a recruiter on LinkedIn who can help you find that perfect fit!
Thank you!
I agree. A good recruiter will be much more successful at talking about your age (code word: years of experience) in a neutral way than you will. I’m doing the same thing for the first time in my late 50s. Interviewing today with a really young sales team. I’d love to be the “office dad” that @GALACTICmentioned!
So maybe highlight whether you have kids or relatives, young colleagues that you enjoy learning from (as opposed to being the know it all dad/uncle telling younger folks the “right way” to do things)
good luck to ya !!
So maybe highlight whether you have kids or relatives, young colleagues that you enjoy learning from (as opposed to being the know it all dad/uncle telling younger folks the “right way” to do things)
good luck to ya !!
Definitely not too old.
You got this!!
You got this!!
I was l told I was too young to be in sales.
Same thing and I’m only 40. Been in sales/ sales management for 20 years. I’ve stepped all the way down to entry level with my apple locations and back up to c level where I’ve been in the past. It’s like the interviewers are perplexed that I want to be in sales still or something.
Honestly I think being older helps in field sales.
Sorry to hear that, wayyyy to common to hear that
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