Over 50 and just lost job

[geek84]

Hi Folks

I hope you're all well. A friend of mine who is just over 50 years of age lost his job last month. He was working in an accounts department as a credit controller. He has about 15 years' experience of the job and has always done office work, - administration & credit control. He is now very upset and doesn't know what to do next, and wondering if anyone would employ him at his age.

He is now looking for other opportunities and needs to find a job/career that brings in a good wage which would cover his usually household bills and mortgage payments. He also has 2 young children attending secondary school.

Can someone be kind enough to advice the best course of action to take and whether he should keep in the same field of work (accounts) or retrain for something else?

Thank You.

[hornetrider]

Begs the obvious question, why not simply search for a similar role?

[CubanPete]

Get his CV up to date and out to the agencies. Buy a new (M & S - not flash and expensive) suit and I don't think he'll have any problem getting another job at all.

CC very transferable job role.

[Eric Mc]

Many credit controllers operate on a free lance basis with multiple clients they visit once or twice a month to oversee their debt management.

Maybe he should look at alternative ways of doing what he knows best.

[geek84]

Thanks for your replies.

He ks obviously searching for a similar role, but he seems to be quite worried about his age and the fact that nobody would be willing to take him on at his age !!

[strattonkillick]

The last credit controller I recruited was over 50, the other person that was in the frame for the job was as well, or as close as makes no difference.

[RDMcG]

I do not think age is a factor for this type of job, but evidently there is a difference if he lost his job due to redundancy/major cost cutting as against performance related issues. He should make sure if it is not his fault that he has identified those who will give him a good reference.

[Quattromaster]

I employ 10 lads, ages ranging from 22-67.

The 67 yr old is by far my best team member, been with me 12 yrs now.

I'd have no problems taking on someone at 50+ yrs.

[tumble dryer]

Quattromaster said:

I employ 10 lads, ages ranging from 22-67.

The 67 yr old is by far my best team member, been with me 12 yrs now.

I'd have no problems taking on someone at 50+ yrs.

^ ^ ^ This. I know it's not 'allowed' but I'd take experience any day. (I never actually said that - it was an imposter!)

[Vaud]

In this kind of role his experience is probably an asset if he goes in with the right mindset. He won't need hand holding, he knows all the tricks in the game...

[geek84]

Thanks folks

[megaphone]

Was he on a decent salary/package? Is he expecting similar? I have a friend in similar circumstances, mid 50s. Most jobs he looks at are offering around half what he was getting before. He feels he is 'worth' more, 6 months down the line he is still looking for work. He's been for a few interviews for more demanding rolls that pay decent salary, he has fallen at the last hurdle, they would rather employ a younger person with longer career prospects.

He is now 6 months older, has had no income, he's spending his pay-off. I can see him ending up working in B&Q.

[Some Gump]

It's credit control. Loads of companies would prefer experience over the notion that someone young would be there longer - 20 hear olds tend not to stay put for 10 years.

[Vaud]

Worth him looking out for interim roles as well. e.g. a company looking for maternity cover - would probably love someone with his experience and he would be keeping his skills relevant.

Point him to rog007 on this forum as well for a CV review.

[spikeyhead]

If you employ a bloke who's 55 they;ll stay until they retire.

If you employ a bloke who's 20 then it's probable they will move on in a few years.

Redundancy isn't fun, but whenever its happened to me then something better has always come along.

[anonymous-user]

A long time ago I hired credit controllers (amongst other finance types), and being 50 would have been no issue at all.

As long as he can clearly articulate how he ensures collection run as expected and how to deal with and anticipate problem clients, then to some extent it's probably an advantage. More so in CC than any other area