Down, Not Out: Surreal Unemployment At 55

For Steve Dittmann, 55, unemployment has been surreal:

"It's like there's two worlds out there: People who are still working, who are still living the same lives they always had, and I feel like I'm on the other side of a Plexiglass wall looking in," said Dittmann, who lives in Kansas. "I know I'm not unique. It's like you can't get back into that world. It's very strange."

Dittmann wrote the Huffington Post to say he'd lost his job when the business he and his wife owned, which sold "high-end plantation shutters," shut down last fall. For 30 years, Dittmann said, he'd lived an upper middle class lifestyle. He worked in advertising before buying the business in 2007, right before "the economy went to Hell" and the business "dropped off the face of the earth."

Now, Dittmann said, he and his wife, Stephanie, are coasting on dwindling savings and Stephanie's earnings from a part-time accounting job. They said they hadn't made a mortgage payment since February. If they lose the house to foreclosure, they might move in with Stephanie's parents, who they said have offered to take them in.

It's been impossible to land a job. "I probably responded to 200 or 300 ads and I've had one call back."

Then Dittmann said something that the HuffPost has heard from a lot of people:

"I think part of it is my age," he said. "I can't prove that but I think that's probably true. I was a business owner before. If you can hire someone in their 40s versus someone in their 50s, the person in their 40s is going to stay with you longer, and the person in their 50s is going to be more expensive because of health insurance. Everybody I've talked to that's in their 50s, looking for a job, they're getting nowhere."

It's true: Workers 45 and older comprise a disproportionate share of the long-term unemployed. But Dittmann is not feeling sorry for himself.

"In the past few months I've learned to appreciate how lucky I've been up to this point in my life, having lived an upper middle class professional lifestyle for the past 30 years," he wrote in an email. "I'm sorry to say I took it all for granted. I didn't over-extend myself, no mini-mansions, no expensive vacations, none of that... but we've always lived comfortably, without financial concerns. And even today, I'm still better off than probably 85 percent of the people on this planet, so everything is truly relative.

"Still, I can't believe I'm where I'm at today... I'm truly numb. I'm not even mad about my situation, because I'm not sure who or what to be mad at. Keeping my sanity is a priority, and I'm just thankful that we have no children to worry about."

HuffPost readers: Are you doubling up with friends or family to save money? Tell us about it -- email [e-mail].

Comments

[Soulsurfer]

It's happening all over the country. If you're over 45, not in upper management, have been with your company over 10-15 years, you might as well paint a target on yourself.

[bola47]

i lost my job in december when the company i worked for closed. i have been in marketing and sales for 40 years and at age 61 i find it impossible to get a job. why would someone hire me versus someone who is half my age?

[mlaiuppa]

But try and prove age discrimination.

Almost as hard as discrimination based on gender or weight. And yes, they'll hire a skinny person before a fat person.

There's even "looks" discrimination. A "pretty" person is more likely to be hired than an "ugly" person.

[hey0there]

ugliness and weight discrimination are not protected by law. Unless they are forced to hire the first person to apply for a job, there will always be some kinds of discrimination in hiring.

[nomorefed]

REAL unemployment is DOUBLE the 'official' statistics. GOvernment has been playing major games with all stats for a while now - both parties are to blame.

REAL unemployment should be including 'discouraged' workers - those no longer trying and long off unemployment benefits, as well as those 'self-employed' and actually LOSING money and should account for the vast numbers of UNDER employed - those working part-time involuntarily, those working at jobs far below their qualifications and previous income levels and those working part-time because they can;t find full-time work.

good articles for slow news days: http://www.bit.ly/12NCJR

If the truth were being reported we'd be having riots in the streets. And meanwhile the top execs in banks and brokeragesa that caused such a mess are STILL employed and making millions while laying off THOUSANDS of people that actually do work. If you know anyone in banking that's still employed, odds are they are doing the work of three people so the top execs can show 'savings' and contineu collecting mega-incomes.

[marijam]

Also not being reported as those who would like to have full-time, permanent jobs that have a future, rather than part-time, temporary or contract work that doesn't have a future. Just one more reason why there were so many sub-prime and Alt-A mortgages.

The banks were hiring temps that were ending up in open ended contracts that could be dropped at any time. It was more important for the banks that they could let somebody go at a moments notice, than it was for them to ensure stability in their mortgage programs. And, of course, there is the whole H1B visa aspect to all of this. While temps were getting limited benefits, or no benefits at all, the "associates" were getting 3/4th or more of their salaries in end of the year bonuses. The fewer actual employees, the more money for bonuses for them. Shark pool, that's what working for one of the big banks was, probably still is, although, with so much "talent" jumping ship, "underlings" are finally getting their chance - maybe.

[hey0there]

the banks were even using H1B guest workers to hire HR Support personell and Corporate Lawyers. Was there really a shortage of American HR generalists and lawyers?

I assume this is why TARP tried to prevent them from hiring more H1B's.

[Flavor]

Look, there is someone out there thats looking for a person with Steves experience and you read the huffpost daily, you can afford to at least check his credentials and interview him, help a brother out!!!! it's a known fact that older people are more reliable tend to be on time and try hard to do their work right. It is time that the american people start helping each other out with a helping hand up. Steve is employable!!!!!

[JoeBlough]

That sounds very un-Republican.

[nomorefed]

Money doesn’t grow on trees for most of America. We sit down at our kitchen tables and write
out checks to the phone-company, electric company, credit card-company, mortgage-company,
and auto finance company every month. We clip coupons and go to the grocery store every
week to put food in the mouths of our children. This is what our parents did before us.

good articles: http://investmintideas.blogspot.com/ recommended

Goldman and Bank of America run the markets along with Geithner, and beagle boy Ben. There
is no free markets, only welfare capitalism and socialism for capitalism.

[Shammie2000]

We need more confessions (or we're doomed to repeat it) from those who have supported ReThug
policies that have now cause destruction of their lives and in some cases families, am I my brother's
keeper ? Yes I Am.

[John Horner]

An engineer over the age of 50 who suddenly finds themselves looking for work is in a very, very bad spot. Age discrimination is alive and well.

[dandypuddin]

Yes, it is. My father was let go after 30 years with the same company along with others his age. (This was many years ago). The government stepped in because it looked suspicious and deemed it was out and out age discrimination. Hiring cheaper, younger workers to replace the older more expensive ones with pensions looming (back in the day of pensions). Good luck to you. I just landed a job and i am by far the oldest in the group hired. It is just a seasonal gig too with no health care.

[Mildmannered]

agree

[alexa07]

Steve, I wish you the very best.

[Halsey]

Yes Steve...you have the experience and stamina...my gosh..from what you wrote..a company would be lucky to have you..and if you take a pay cut (which you will)..."when" this economy turns around..maybe you'll be poised to benefit (yes..I live in Mollywood..where we wear rose colored glasses...just to keep from opening a vein).

I'm 54..work for a MONSTER size financial firm; have more experience and licenses than, I'd guess, the CEO...but..I returned from short term disability (aggressive treatment for cancer..pretty much fetal for 6 months between chemo then radiation)...and guess what...face the dreaded pink slip... Of course, I still have my skills and knowledge...but that word "Cancer" will follow me whereever I go..AND "54"... at times...I am so frozen in fear...I've ALWAYS been so strong, feisty... but this company's attitude, total lack of compassion..it's symbolic of so many others...who've lost jobs, homes.. I think "we" are in a state of shock..that is hard to pull out of.. but Steve, we WILL...we must..deal?

[alexa07]

Halsey,
My heart goes out to you. How can we have any kind of society if people are treated in this manner by their employers? It wasn't this way when I was growing up or starting out. The middle class was here to stay, or so we thought. My late parents would not recognize the society that we have become. Merciless, with all the assets, security, benefits being grabbed by those at the top. So greedy & utterly lacking in compassion for the employees. I admire you for your ability to get through chemo, radiation & return to work even if your employer didn't, or this society at large. I wish you the very best in your efforts to move on. I know that from experience of dealing with cancer, chemo., radiation, etc., if you can keep going after all of that, you will make it, no matter what! Your survival skills, knowledge, experiences are the most important parts to focus on. You already know all of that, but I just wanted to say it too.

[Mildmannered]

My heart also goes out to you.

[AtheistUS]

That's right. An averagely good kid has better chances getting into a big (huge) company, or, on opposite, if he/she is motivated, into a start-up or a recent start-up. Many possibilities, really. It's true that medium-size companies like experience. But, on the other hand, why would one want to go there? Extremes (very small or very big) are more interesting. Of course, a kid from one of top universities has good chances anywhere.

A young scientist has other options, besides industry: a National Lab or University. Which is more difficult to get in, provides less income, but certainly far more rewarding and more stable. Of course brightest want to get after Ph.D. into a good University or into a National Lab rather than to go work into a company (unless we're talking something like IBM, depends on specialization).

[x76]

Take a minute and call your (worthless) elected representatives and INSIST that they support the House Resolution to AUDIT THE FEDERAL RESERVE.

Prevent this kind of manufactured crash from happening again, ever. The Treasury Department ought to take over the Federal Reserve. The suits @ the Fed ought to be hanged by the neck until dead.

[Yellowbird]

I am 57 and my husband is 62 and we have already gone through this. We also carried another couple unemployed for 2 years who went through it. It is a Bush Administra­tion"right of passage" that you be knocked out of your high income slot before you're eligible for those last ten years of SOCIAL SECURITY QUALIFICATION. It is to ENSURE your social security check is diminished.

So... how to find work?

Well, do everything that everyone said above and add one thing. No offense intended.

SHAVE YOUR FACE AND DYE YOUR HAIR A DARK BLONDE COLOR. NEVER BROWN OR BLACK SINCE YOU'RE TOO OLD FOR THAT. BLONDE.

You look so old. Much older than my 62 year old husband, who shaves his face and dyes his hair it's original blonde. He looks like he's in his 40's.

[KillTheMessenger]

Old men who dye their hair (any color) are ridiculous. If you can't get old with dignity, you just have to make a jackrabbit out of yourself.

:-)

[NevaforLeadership]

Not if they use highlights and lowlights.

The men -- as well as many women -- who look ridiculous when they dye their hair, do so, because they dye it an overall flat color -- usually the wrong color.

I advised Steve to shave off his beard (he looks ten years older than he is); however, I didn't advise him to color his hair, as his photo tells me he would be very uncomfortable doing that.

He does need to lose weight, though. Unemployment is a great time to do that.

[NevaforLeadership]

Hi Steve (I assume you are checking out the comments).

Some suggestions:

(1) Take advantage of your downtime to get into great shape. Good nutrition and exercise. Focus on it every day.

(2) Develop a personal brand that includes clear goals and message, image, ethics, etc. that fit into those goals -- your personal core. Whether you start another business or look for another job, you are now the CEO of You and your actions and image must reflect your goals and aspirations.

(3) Shave off your beard. It makes you look ten years older than you are.

(4) Start networking, networking, networking. That is how you are most likely to find a job or business, not through a resume lost in a data bank of thousands of other identical resumes.

(5) If possible by-pass HR and go directly the decision makers.

[NevaforLeadership]

Oh I forgot....

You talk about being on the other side of the plexiglass wall looking in. I know exactly what you are talking about: living on the edge of life; not part of life.

Networking will get you back into life. When you on the other side of that plexiglass, networking is extremely difficult to do. Force yourself to do it. Join groups that will be beneficial in your new life; join groups that share the same interests. It can be very painful at first, but will become second nature.

Once you are on your feet, in addition to saving money, DO NOT let up on networking.

[MajorKong]

I was extremely well qualified for my current job (Air Freight Pilot).

So were about 5000 other people.

If I hadn't known somebody at the company who was willing to walk my paperwork through and recommend me to the right people my resume would still be sitting in the pile with those 5000 others.

[KillTheMessenger]

If there is HR, you never get to bypass HR. And you shouldn't even try to. They are not in your way to get a job. They might be in the hiring manager's way, but that is not your problem. Let them deal with it.

All the crap about looks and age is nonsense. Either the man has a resume or he doesn't. Unless he is interviewing for a job that needs personal contact, anything more than good personal hygiene is of no importance.

If his network of 30 years doesn't help him, he can forget about networking, just as well.

[NevaforLeadership]

My guess is you are entrenched in HR.

A few comments about age and looks:

(1) If Steve looks younger, he will feel younger.

(2) Age discrimination is banned, but it is very easy to do silently.

(3) When we meet someone, that person sums us up by how we look within seconds. That impression is unlikely to change, even if we subsequently change. If you don't belive me, see if you can get your hands on a 20/20 program that illustrated the point briliantly. The smartly dressed, better presented candidates with exactly the same resumes as the less smartly and not-so-well presented candidates got the jobs in all cases.

A few comments about resumes:

(1) There are many resumes of highly qualified people sitting in data banks without response, because of a lack of key words, or -- surprise, surprise -- the inability of an HR person to understand the content of the resume. I talk from experience: HR relegating highly qualified candidates to the "unlikely" pile, while filling the "likely" pile up with wrong fits and unqualified candidates.

About HR:

Again. If you can, by pass HR and go to the decision maker. The decision maker may work with HR, but he/she is going to hire the candidate, not HR; and the decision maker has the power to insist on seeing a candidate. If that is not the case, then the organization's system is haywire, and the candidate would be better off avoiding it.

[NevaforLeadership]

Networking is a lifelong activity needed for success and fulfilment.

If you can pick up the phone and get a job, because you have networked, that is so much less painful than the experience Steve is going through now.

Never stop networking. Keep your contacts up-to-date. Touch base with them periodically.

Remember one thing: IT IS NEVER TOO LATE.

[John Horner]

Hmmm, are you living in a fantasy world? As a hiring manager I routinely went around HR to find and get the people I wanted to hire.

[MajorKong]

A lot of people have resumes.

If it's between the 50-year-old with a resume and the 30-year-old with a resume which one do you think they'll pick?

If I'm looking to hire a SQL Server 2008 developer, the product has only been around for 2 years. There's a good chance the 30-year-old has just as much experience with it as the 50-year-old. All that Sybase System 10 experience the one guy had back in 1996 probably doesn't count for much.

[ArthurTwoShedsJackson]

I sure hope Steve and others who identify with him are reading the comments.

Your advice is 100% bull's eye spot-on.

If Steve reads and takes one comment to heart I hope it is yours. Perfect advice, right on the button. Steve, PLEASE do ALL 5 suggestions above TODAY!

[nomorefed]

Obama has no intention of installing meaningful controls. He's just giving bankers full

control. Replace Obama at the next opportunity.

he's right: http://makeitbrief.com/avupq why aren't our voices being heard by Washington?

[ArthurTwoShedsJackson]

Um, scores of once-stronghold "red" states turned blue in the 2008 election. Other than that, good point. ;-)

And everyone, I wouldn't click that link, but you already knew that.

[atexasdem]

As a "laid off" and "unemployable" tradesman ( master electrician) at age 61 I did panic. I've "done the right things", live cheaply in a 20 year old mobile home on my own land, saved my money etc. Facing the reality of being "unemployable" is increadable. What to do? I went back to school. Our local community collage had a program where you could learn and be certified in the design and installation of electrical solar panel systems. I graduated number two in my class and had multiple job offers before graduation. Now I'm an electrical contractor (just me) who works with other electrical contractors and staff as they try to penetrate the renewable (solar) electrical energy market.
Guys (other "seniors") it's no differant than when we all started out but we still have our brains, an increadable work ethic and a lot to offer. We just have to look around, see what's coming in and learn it.
Reinventing yourself, going back to school is humbling especialy if you have a good skill. But it's the best thing I ever did.

[Artemis34]

Congratulations!

[KillTheMessenger]

Great choice!

[NevaforLeadership]

Good for you.

[MajorKong]

Impressive.