I am trying to make a non-profit educational foundation (cyber-library) from a historical web resource that I started six years ago which is very highly regarded in academics. The IT industry is not going to give much consideration to a fiftysomething with a degree in Mathematics who has 20 years of experience when they're looking for 1-2 years of experience and no college.
I'm biting the bullet right now and living off my savings which are dwindling. Yes I would happily take a lower paying job but everyone says that I am "over qualified." It makes me angry that there are always some people on these threads who have nothing helpful to suggest except to say "get a job, any job you lazy jerk."
Yes, I get very discouraged at times, but G-D never closes a door without opening another.
I hear you...this is my third career now in 29 years in the workforce...that seems about average for today's world.
Never has a job been so satisfying...but it almost pays the least I have ever earned in my life. That is a concern since as a newly-divorced single dad (my 16-year old daughter lives with me) I have to figure out how we are going to make college work...but somehow, we will. Her mom will help, and I will apply for financial aid.(This would not have been necessary had her mom and I stayed together...we tried for years)
Anyway, like "Mears" children, I think the key is to be open-minded. One thing I have learned from my career changes, there is always a need for GOOD workers. Sometimes, you have to be willing to be flexible, or just keep your thought open to new and unthought of ideas...
That has to be one of the more annoying statements to get from the interviewer. It makes an opinion about the company a little easier to make, but it doesn't help. In spite of that, companies often do not find qualified applicants and end up hiring whoever comes closest.
Yes I would happily take a lower paying job but everyone says that I am "over qualified."
Then don't let them know that you're overqualified. Dumb down your resume. Don't mention the degree if the degree works to your disadvantage. You don't have 20 years experience, you have 10 years, but that was over a decade ago--or something like that. You need to lie. Try it.
MAKE A JOB!
You can make a living doing a lot of things. A friend works weekends, only, from about 7am until 7pm. He bought a 'pig cooker', and sets up on the side of the road, with a tent, and all the accoutrements required by the local health dept. folk.
He worked out a deal, with a farmer, who owns land on both sides of the road. He sets up so the wind blows the 'aroma' across the road.
Besides making hickory-smoked pulled pig, NC-style, he keeps whole chickens, burgers, and smokies on the grill. ...and his baby-back ribs....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm good! He made six figures last year, NET! He worked about 8 months last year...