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Would you hire and unemployed executive in a menial job?

Yesterday I wrote a question about a friend of mine who is over 50 broke and unemployed. He used to be a business executive but was fired from his last job almost 8 years ago and has been unemployed since. He used home equity, credit cards and savings to cover his bills but now he has no more access to money. Many of the people who responded said he should try for a lower level job. That sounded good in theory but it has not worked for him because he is older and carries him self like senior management. He would not fit in with the younger and immigrant workers at the job so he is not hired. He also has no professional references to check because he has been unemployed for so long. He does not have the money to start his own business and has struck out at temp agencies because he has no employment references. Any advice for my friend?

Public Comments

1. civil service job....................not a lot of past experience required
2. Does your friend have any secondary education? If so, he might try State government. I work for the State, and while the pay isn't GREAT, it's something, and the health benefits are usually fantastic. Usually a state government requires some form of degree and work experience, but there are lower level positions that don't. In general, what they're looking for is someone responsible who will show up for work regularly.
3. Well, the only thing he can do, is start over. Go to some local car dealerships, become a porter or parts driver. That will get you in the door. Just tell him to be prepared to answer why he didn't work for 8 years & why he was let go from that job.
4. Your friend is in a very tough position. He needs to write a resume focusing on what he can do for a company and not the positions he has held. Older people looking for work are always up against a stereotype: we're more experienced, expect more pay, know everything, are difficult to work with, will drop dead any moment, will cost more in health care costs, etc, etc. As for his references, he was fired for good cause, so needs to deal with that reality. I suggest he approach one of the local community-based job force programs. These use grants etc. to rehab people for the workplace. He'll get needed training and they can help him find a job that the temp agencies can't do because they're afraid of being held liable for any failing on his part. If I knew where you/he live, I could do an online search for you and let you know.
5. So, he's been sitting on his butt for 8 years? He got fired, so didn't have that work reference -- but what about references from people outside that job (clients, suppliers?) If he passes a criminal check, he might start by volunteering at a college or senior center (helping the elderly with their taxes, understanding medicare, etc.) Volunteer work can be a great source of references. While there is no income immediately, it can open doors to paid work at the same facilities. I get the feeling that he feels that he's "too good" for the middle-level jobs that other people suggested -- but if he got fired and was left with NO professional contacts, he must have done something unforgivable. Seriously, friends and family have been able to direct him to nothing in 8 years??? Wow. I guess his high-horse is getting uncomfortable? BUT, many women re-enter the workforce after taking time off to raise their families, with gaps this long. Have him, seriously, do some searches on re-entering the work force, and get advice on how to explain the gap in employment.
6. scale back your resume...and eat humble pie he should have leveraged the equity from his home for a business loan and become self employed as a consultant or something in his industry. He wasted time.