We all know IBM wants to get rid of all of us as soon as they can, only without triggering any more age discrimination suits. That's the only reason I'm still here and not already out on my behind. Knowing that I've been searching high and low for a new job but nobody seems to want me. I have a suspicion that also has to do with my age since my skills speak for themselves (I made sure to never stop learning and updating my knowledge.) So I'm stuck. I'm neither here nor there. And let me tell you, that feeling is not fun.
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I'm well over 50 and this week I told my manager I was planning to retire soon. He asked what he could do to persuade me to stay two more years. Ok, then how about one more year? Through Q4?
And before the "usual suspects" jump in, I'm a white, male, band 10, with 15 years at IBM under my belt.
Mind you, you can definitely forget about getting promoted to management above a certain age, which I'm OK with. I've long told my manager that if he ever wanted to force me to quit, he should make me a manager...
That's why I never put my College graduation date on resumes, not just an IBM thing
I voluntarily quit IBM in my early 50’s, and that was 8 years ago. Age wasn’t a limiting factor when finding a new job and I had a few options. However since then, the job market has changed and I’m glad I’m not currently looking. There are a lot of IT folk looking for jobs, and there are openings. Regardless of age, you need to differentiate yourself from other applicants. Age brings maturity, experience and knowledge- use it to your advantage as best you can.
I would argue with the statement. IBM hired me when I was 50. I just voluntarily retired at almost 72. Age never was an issue. I floated in and out of management / sales. Last time I was moved into management I was 70 I believe. No issues with age.
@wjo in 2022 .. another year of wait .. Fleischer says .. GLT us
Once you hit anywhere near 40 in Ibm, sales is only option. You get to eat only if you k–l. By quarter at that.
A combination of age and years of service numbers is a metric they seem to use to determine if you are re-trainable and deserving of promotions and or raises. Over 50 pretty much closes that metric and stops you from being able to advance.
Interesting ageism case:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw3k5O00Tz8
Sorry to hear of your plight but that's Corporate America and it's been that way for a long time. IT is worse still as the management types care nothing for you and nor your skills as the technology and the work is so far beyond what their MBA minds can understand they just ignore it to lessen their pain.
But, then again you, like so many of us, watched this evolve and didn't do much about it because it was happening to other people in the herd. Well, now the lion's are coming for you and you're counting on luck to save you - Good Luck.
The collective 'we' did this to our own selves year after year. We ate the Soylent Green and without realizing it we became or will become the Soylent Green.