Tips for finding an entry-level job
January 25, 2025 7:23 AM Subscribe
I retired early six years ago, and have had a little part-time, minimum wage job ever since, just for something to do and for the social aspect. I'm financially secure. My grandson will be starting college in a year and a half, and I'm thinking it would be nice for me to get a full-time job for five years to help finance his education.
I prefer to work in an office, but I will absolutely not seek nor accept a position that includes taking meeting minutes or ordering food for events and cleaning up afterward (been there, done that - ick and yuck!).
A relative who is a CFO obtained for me an interview for a receptionist position at the company where they work. When the interviewer phoned me to set up the in-person interview, she said, "You know this is just an entry-level position, right?" I responded, "That's exactly what I'm looking for!"
Interviewer was 15 minutes late to the interview. During the interview, she again mentioned that the position was entry-level. I assured her that the fact that I have worked part-time at minimum wage and at the same place for the past 6 years shows that entry-level would not affect my commitment to staying with the company. She ended the interview by saying that a very large amount of people had applied for the job and so she had many applications to review, and that she would eventually let me know her decision.
In general, she was pretty cold and snotty toward me, and not very nice. I didn't like her. I don't know if it was my age that turned her off, or that perhaps the CFO pretty much made her interview me, or what. Also, it felt like she was projecting her personal values onto me, and I found that irritating. Not everyone seeks the highest-status job they can get, and not everyone seeks a position that provides the highest salary possible; those two things don't automatically guarantee things like satisfaction or happiness.
After the interview, I wrote her a note thanking her very much for taking the time to interview me, and I included b.s. that I, unfortunately, seek a position that has much more client contact than the position at her company would provide.
Going forward, do you think would it help me secure the type of position I seek if I were to "dummy-down" my resume? For example, exclude that I have a bachelor's degree and exclude some of my higher-level positions?
I prefer to work in an office, but I will absolutely not seek nor accept a position that includes taking meeting minutes or ordering food for events and cleaning up afterward (been there, done that - ick and yuck!).
A relative who is a CFO obtained for me an interview for a receptionist position at the company where they work. When the interviewer phoned me to set up the in-person interview, she said, "You know this is just an entry-level position, right?" I responded, "That's exactly what I'm looking for!"
Interviewer was 15 minutes late to the interview. During the interview, she again mentioned that the position was entry-level. I assured her that the fact that I have worked part-time at minimum wage and at the same place for the past 6 years shows that entry-level would not affect my commitment to staying with the company. She ended the interview by saying that a very large amount of people had applied for the job and so she had many applications to review, and that she would eventually let me know her decision.
In general, she was pretty cold and snotty toward me, and not very nice. I didn't like her. I don't know if it was my age that turned her off, or that perhaps the CFO pretty much made her interview me, or what. Also, it felt like she was projecting her personal values onto me, and I found that irritating. Not everyone seeks the highest-status job they can get, and not everyone seeks a position that provides the highest salary possible; those two things don't automatically guarantee things like satisfaction or happiness.
After the interview, I wrote her a note thanking her very much for taking the time to interview me, and I included b.s. that I, unfortunately, seek a position that has much more client contact than the position at her company would provide.
Going forward, do you think would it help me secure the type of position I seek if I were to "dummy-down" my resume? For example, exclude that I have a bachelor's degree and exclude some of my higher-level positions?
You might have more success looking at small businesses that *don't* have career tracks as such than larger companies who are likely to have the hiring strategy phunniemee describes. There are often small manufacturing companies and the like that need someone to do basic accounts payable/accounts receivable, answering the phone and email, and other assorted office tasks but have zero growth potential for that role that would probably be delighted to have someone older, steady, and unambitious.
posted by restless_nomad at 7:41 AM on January 25 [25 favorites]
posted by restless_nomad at 7:41 AM on January 25 [25 favorites]
Yes, absolutely dumb down your resume. If you are looking for entry level work, omit everything that isn't relevant to entry level work - so, basically, all your work history except the most recent part time job.
You might want to keep the degree for office jobs unless it is a STEM degree, in which case, you could probably keep the degree (Bachelor's Degree, University of my Alma Mater) but leave off the specialization. Leave off the year in either case.
It will still be a hard sell, but the more you can seen like someone who needs to work (say because you got divorced late in life after decades of raising a family and now need to work to get by because you didn't pay into social security all those years), the better your chances will be. Unfortunately a lot of places really want someone they think they can exploit, not someone they think has better options. I am not saying you should flat out lie but de-emphasize the idea that this is just a thing you think is nice to do - you are supporting a family member and you need the money.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:43 AM on January 25 [2 favorites]
You might want to keep the degree for office jobs unless it is a STEM degree, in which case, you could probably keep the degree (Bachelor's Degree, University of my Alma Mater) but leave off the specialization. Leave off the year in either case.
It will still be a hard sell, but the more you can seen like someone who needs to work (say because you got divorced late in life after decades of raising a family and now need to work to get by because you didn't pay into social security all those years), the better your chances will be. Unfortunately a lot of places really want someone they think they can exploit, not someone they think has better options. I am not saying you should flat out lie but de-emphasize the idea that this is just a thing you think is nice to do - you are supporting a family member and you need the money.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:43 AM on January 25 [2 favorites]
I don't know if you actually *want* an entry-level job - it seems maybe more like you want a low-responsibility job? I think entry-level jobs can be a subset of that, but as others have pointed out there's often an expectation that you're going to be trying to advance in the company, build your skills, etc. It seems like you're totally comfortable with the pay and prestige cut but that's only part of what the hiring manager is concerned about. They want to get the amount of work out of you that they would get out of someone who is eager to progress in their career.
You might actually have more success looking for something in your field, where you can realistically say, "I missed this and I wanted to keep my hand in." Maybe not even entry-level. I don't know your previous field but maybe you could be really useful as maternity cover or an interim manager or something.
posted by mskyle at 8:11 AM on January 25 [10 favorites]
You might actually have more success looking for something in your field, where you can realistically say, "I missed this and I wanted to keep my hand in." Maybe not even entry-level. I don't know your previous field but maybe you could be really useful as maternity cover or an interim manager or something.
posted by mskyle at 8:11 AM on January 25 [10 favorites]
I don't know what the job market is where you are but would temping be a choice? In larger metropolitans there are even agencies that specialize in placing experienced staff in mid management positions. Usually these assignments are because some one is going on FMLA or they have a new dept and need to get someone in there and will hire someone after a longer job search. They're usually on the scale of months rather than years but also the expectation is that you won't stick around.
posted by fiercekitten at 8:14 AM on January 25 [9 favorites]
posted by fiercekitten at 8:14 AM on January 25 [9 favorites]
There might also be positions posted by larger organizations (public sector or university system for example) for parental leave coverage positions for 6-12 months. That be another scenario where your profile would be attractive.
posted by lookoutbelow at 8:18 AM on January 25 [3 favorites]
posted by lookoutbelow at 8:18 AM on January 25 [3 favorites]
I just want to offer a counter perspective as someone who does a lot of hiring: you are a fantastic candidate! It is hard to find reliable people who will stay long-term in entry-level jobs. If your resume or cover letter clearly states that you are 'retired from a career, but not yet ready to retire from the office - seasoned, highly-reliable professional seeking to contribute to a collegial work community', you'd be very attractive. So, I think for the right position, there is no need to dumb down the resume.
posted by Ausamor at 8:22 AM on January 25 [27 favorites]
posted by Ausamor at 8:22 AM on January 25 [27 favorites]
“Entry level” isn’t really what you’re going for, you are not a beginner who needs basic office training. I like Ausamor’s phrasing, and I think if you switch up how you think about this role and how you describe yourself you may have better luck helping hiring managers understand you.
posted by Vatnesine at 9:19 AM on January 25 [3 favorites]
posted by Vatnesine at 9:19 AM on January 25 [3 favorites]
Agree with Ausamor, I do a lot of hiring as well and sometimes we are looking for exactly you! And sometimes we aren't - sometimes we are looking for someone who will be with us for 20 years. So I'd be clear on your cover letter and maybe even when you open the interview when they ask you about yourself - share: this is who I am, this is my background, this is what I can bring and what I am looking for, AND "I recognize that sometimes these positions are intended for folks who are starting their careers and will be working with you or in the field for the next 40 years, I'm not that. Can you share with me what you are looking for in this position and whether someone with my background/experience/interest is the right match for that need?" If it's not, it's not, might as well get it out early.
Also, regarding someone being rude to you in an interview. Sorry that happened. As a professional, it's probably been a long time when someone was so rude to you in a work environment, and I'm sure it was surprising. Unfortunately that is common, particularly in entry level interviews, and I think it tells you everything you need to know about the company/org. and how they treat their employees.
posted by Toddles at 9:20 AM on January 25 [7 favorites]
Also, regarding someone being rude to you in an interview. Sorry that happened. As a professional, it's probably been a long time when someone was so rude to you in a work environment, and I'm sure it was surprising. Unfortunately that is common, particularly in entry level interviews, and I think it tells you everything you need to know about the company/org. and how they treat their employees.
posted by Toddles at 9:20 AM on January 25 [7 favorites]
> I will absolutely not seek nor accept a position that includes taking meeting minutes or ordering food for events and cleaning up afterward (been there, done that - ick and yuck!).
You may need to re-evaluate this, as these tasks have been the role of the juniormost member of the team at every corporate job I’ve ever worked in (by level, not by hire date). When I’ve worked at corporations that are large enough to have in-house catering teams, the juniormost person has been in charge of interfacing with those catering teams. The only exception is for things like board meetings, where the CEO’s EA would handle because the stakes were higher. Otherwise? It’s whoever’s role suggests that the company will be wasting the least money by having them handle administrata. If you want a lower responsibility job, you’re probably going to have to not be precious about doing lower responsibility tasks.
posted by moosetracks at 9:36 AM on January 25 [4 favorites]
You may need to re-evaluate this, as these tasks have been the role of the juniormost member of the team at every corporate job I’ve ever worked in (by level, not by hire date). When I’ve worked at corporations that are large enough to have in-house catering teams, the juniormost person has been in charge of interfacing with those catering teams. The only exception is for things like board meetings, where the CEO’s EA would handle because the stakes were higher. Otherwise? It’s whoever’s role suggests that the company will be wasting the least money by having them handle administrata. If you want a lower responsibility job, you’re probably going to have to not be precious about doing lower responsibility tasks.
posted by moosetracks at 9:36 AM on January 25 [4 favorites]
Another option: grocery stores. My partner worked at Whole Foods for a bit, and several of his co-workers were people who had gotten bored with retirement and ended up there, so it's not uncommon. Trader Joe's is generally regarded as the best working conditions, but hard to get if you have no grocery experience. Whole Foods has gone down hill after Amazon bought it, but there are still positions that are generally regarded as good - my partner worked in the Specialty division, and genuinely enjoyed learning about how to cut (and eating) cheese. Anyway, these jobs pay a bit better than minimum wage, come with decent store discounts, and it's not hard to move into low-level management positions in a couple of years (should that be of interest).
posted by coffeecat at 10:48 AM on January 25 [5 favorites]
posted by coffeecat at 10:48 AM on January 25 [5 favorites]
I don't know where you are located but here in Seattle dental offices are short staffed both front and back. Would you consider a medical or dental office? Professionalism is much more needed than knowing dental/ medical terminology. My office can easily train a great personality ovrer someone who is great with technology but doesn't have soft skills.
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 12:49 PM on January 25 [2 favorites]
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 12:49 PM on January 25 [2 favorites]
crazy as it may sound (and of course this suggestion goes very contrary to wanting a job without any clean up responsibilities), but as I approach retirement, knowing I will need to keep working, one of the places I've thought i'd apply to is the doggy daycare I take my pup to. their pay isn't bad, and there's really no advancement to worry about. They're always looking for reliable people, and it'd be active but not exhausting. So if you like animals, maybe?
posted by lemniskate at 7:49 PM on January 27 [1 favorite]
posted by lemniskate at 7:49 PM on January 27 [1 favorite]
« Older Favorite walks in Southern California | What's your favorite photo editing software for... Newer »
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
When my company hires for entry level roles we're hiring for the career path 2 years down the line. Our entry roles are feeder roles. If a candidate looks like they're going to be a scoot by on the bare minimum lifer, they're not the best possible fit for that position. And the pool is THICK with people who are eager to get their foot in the door, work an entry role for a year or two, and then be promoted into higher paying work. That is the win that our recruiters are looking for.
The other thought is they are looking at you and deciding that you're going to retire for real shortly after they get you trained up, or at the slightest inconvenience, and that you're not worth the time investment to hire. Is that a flavor of ageism? It can be.
posted by phunniemee at 7:37 AM on January 25 [3 favorites]