It's official: I'm Middle Age

You know you've reached middle age:
-When your kid shoves something in your face for you to look at and you have to move their hand away so your eyes can focus on it and see it
-You have to read something and before you start have to put on or take off your glasses
-You see pictures from 20 years ago and realize you still have and wear the same shirt
-When you wear black shoes with white socks and jean shorts, something you laughed at your dad for doing, and you just don't care what people think

How did you know you hit middle age?
What does hitting this time of life have to do with sales and recruiting...EVERYTHING!

Recently I got four calls from employers looking to see resumes from the students at the college I currently work at. They described the open position and I told them about a few candidates I had that I thought would make a great fit. In all cases they asked how old the candidates were. Given the obvious discriminatory nature of the question I asked why it mattered (for the record most of the students at this college are not traditional college age students). They all told me they wanted someone young in their mid to later 20's who didn't have any "bad habits" from other employers, who they could train, AND didn't have the burdens of family and mortgage, and was hungry to advance.

It was like I was shot by a bullet in the middle of my forehead.
THAT USED TO BE ME!
I WAS THE CANDIDATE THAT THEY ALL WANTED!
I'M NOW A DINOSAUR IN TERMS OF JOB CANDIDATES!

Then I got hit with a lightning flash.
THAT STILL IS ME!
I'M BETTER & MORE MOTIVATED THAN THE APPLICANT YOU SEEK! 

Why do I say this? Speaking as an unofficial representative of middle aged job seekers, who have an open mind and are always open to the idea of new opportunities. As an employer you might want to hire a middle aged person (or older) over a younger person because:

1. I have a family and a mortgage.
It is my top priority to keep them fed and warm. If I don't do that I've failed as a husband, father, and man. I never want to look into the eyes of my family and tell them we're being evicted, having the heat shut off, or junior can't have a new school outfit because dad didn't try and wasn't motivated to do his best at work everyday.

2. Having said #1, as long as my base salary covers my mortgage and car payment and/or kid's school tuition, my salary cost is the same as someone younger.
If the burden of knowing those things are covered is off of me, I'll earn the money to pay the utilities. I'll earn the money to put food on the table, get the toys my family wants, and set us up for retirement.  

3. If the counter argument is I'll cost more in benefits, then my higher earnings in commissions will mean more income coming to the company and those costs are offset anyways.

That's great Everet, but what if the job isn't commission based?

The same criteria applies.
1. Are my basic needs covered?
If they are, then maybe instead of the extra money can I have two weeks of vacation in my first year rather than one, because at some point I will need to stay home with a sick kid or on a day when they have no school because of teacher in-service.
Because I have to factor in those scheduled days off from school I probably won't be taking a long extended vacation each year so even though you might lose me for a day here and there, you won't lose my production for an entire week. Me taking a day off because of those reasons is no different than a younger person calling in sick because they got drunk the night before
(No offense people younger than me. You just happen to be the example the employer called about this time).

2. Can you be a little flexible with my start and end times?
If I come in at 9:30 so I can take my kid to school then I don't have to pay for childcare before school. Then I don't need as much salary. If you're worried that will look bad to the other employees don't worry. I'll be staying till 6pm to make up hours and be able to handle those calls/customers who come in after 5pm after the clock watchers have all gone home.

3. My previous work history has taught me to work smarter and be more efficient.
Even if I'm not in the office the same amount of time as someone younger with no kids or mortgage, my productivity will be the same or better.

4. Besides family I still have personal goals I want to accomplish, and I don't have as many years to do them so I want to get them done..NOW!
Maybe you can help me and these goals will make me even more productive.

5. I'm open minded enough to know that I don't know everything, especially your way of doing something. I can be trained. Please teach me what I don't know but respect me for what I do know. Since you won't have to teach me everything that will save you time and get me up to speed faster.

6. Because of points 1-4 and the respect you showed me in #5, you can count on me to be there for you and to always do what is in the best interests of the company because I understand that job searchers get harder the older I get and I will appreciate the time and effort you have shown me. I will be loyal and stay with the company as long as it is beneficial for both of us. That saves you the time and cost of having to recruit for my job. It's like Brewers signing Ryan Braun to a long term contract. They never have to worry about left field again.

7. I don't feel  my age. I have all the enthusiasm and zest for life I ever have, even more because now I have others in my life that I share that with and feed off their love of life.

8. Because I have work-life balance, I'm focused on my job. I'm mature.
You shouldn't have to worry about a discipline action with me.

9. I don't want my wife to nag me about not working, doing my best, or having money to give her to do or buy something. Fellow husbands you know what I mean.

If you do not want to not hire me because I'm not qualified for the job that is okay.
Don't think you can't or won't hire me because of my birth date.
I'll go to the competition and make you regret the decision not to hire me.
How do I know this?
Middle aged people who have "lost their fastball" for life don't go to Brewers games and are the originator of the "Banzai cheer" like I am. 

Thanks for hiring me!
Ev
A Heck of A Nice Guy