"Titles are past glory": 50-something former department managers rejected at new jobs... the harsh reality for middle-aged and senior workers

Tama-chan and GG Yumeta's witty talk!! [Activity]

Good morning, Tama-chan! You're always so energetic,

What does it mean to say, "They have an impressive title but can't do the work"?

Tama-chan:Hey GG, my teacher was talking about someone who "has an impressive title but can't do the work." What does that mean? My dad is a department manager, so I'm a little worried!

GG Yumeta:Oh my, Tama-chan's dad is a department manager too! I can understand why you'd be worried. But don't worry, if you listen closely, your dad will surely become an even more amazing department manager.

Tama-chan:Really? Tell me quickly!

GG Yumeta:Alright, alright. In short, it means that people who held high titles at big companies sometimes have a hard time when they quit and try to find a new job.

Tama-chan:Eh! Why? Can't important people do anything?

GG Yumeta:Well, that's not necessarily the case. For example, let's say you became the 'class representative,' Tama-chan.

Tama-chan:Yeah! I've been a class representative before!

GG Yumeta:Great! The class representative's job is to lead the class, right? But there might be a kid who isn't the representative who is incredibly good at math homework, right?

Tama-chan:Oh, I see! I'm the representative, but I might be a little bad at math...

GG Yumeta:Exactly! It's the same thing. At a big company, someone with the title of 'department manager' has the job of managing everyone. So, when it comes to 'hands-on' work like using a computer in detail or quickly creating a new service, younger people might be more knowledgeable.

Why it's hard for 'important people' to find new jobs

Tama-chan:Then, can those 'important people' not get into a new company?

GG Yumeta:It can be quite difficult. There are a few reasons for that.

GG Yumeta:First, **"they mistake their old company's reputation for their own actual ability."** Because they were at a big company, they think, 'I'm amazing!' and if they go to a new company and say things like, 'Make me a department manager!', the other side will tilt their head and wonder, 'Hmm? What can this person actually do?'

Tama-chan:Whoa, that's a bit unpleasant.

GG Yumeta:I know, right? The second reason is **"their salary expectations are too high."** Since they were a department manager at a big company, they were probably paid a lot, right? But a new company might not be able to pay that much. Then, the company starts to wonder, 'Do they have any special skills worth paying such a high salary for?'

Tama-chan:Hmm... Dad is always saying, "I wish I had more salary."

GG Yumeta:Hahaha, that's a common worry for fathers everywhere. And the third thing is,**"not being good at getting used to new things."**Because they've been doing things the same way at the same company for so long, it becomes a hassle to suddenly use the rules or new tools of a completely different company. It's a big difference from how you, Tama-chan, master new games right away.

Tama-chan:What! GG, you're always saying "I don't get it!" about new smartphone apps too!

GG Yumeta:Ugh... that's something we should keep between us, okay? No, sorry, GG is studying every day too, hahaha!

So, how can they succeed?

Tama-chan:Then, how can those "important people" find new jobs?

GG Yumeta:Good question! You're really sharp, Tama-chan. There are two main points.

GG Yumeta:One is to**"find what you are truly good at."**It's not about the title, but finding concrete strengths like "I can do this!" or "I can solve this problem!" and promoting that to the new company. For example, if you said, "I can lead the class, and actually, I'm faster at math calculations than anyone!" wouldn't people think you're even more amazing?

Tama-chan:Oh, I think I could do that!

GG Yumeta:The other is to**"have a willing heart to learn new things."**Even if you were an important person, you should bow your head and say, "Please teach me!" and try to absorb new knowledge and skills. Just like how you honestly learn from your seniors when you start a new club activity, Tama-chan.

Tama-chan:Yeah, yeah, I get it!

GG Yumeta:Exactly. And**"a positive attitude"**is the most important thing. No matter how difficult the situation is, it's about whether you can think, "Alright, I'll do my best from here!" Life, no matter how important you are, is a constant series of learning and challenges. You should keep challenging yourself with various things and keep discovering new versions of yourself, Tama-chan.

Tama-chan:Somehow, GG's story was interesting! Maybe I'll tell Dad too!

GG Yumeta:Please do! And when you grow up, Tama-chan, no matter what title you get or what environment you go to, you'll surely be someone who can enjoy working. I'm rooting for you, Tama-chan!

[Details] "The title is impressive, but they can't do the work"... The tragedy of a <former major company department manager>. The painful job-hunting experiences of middle-aged and senior workers

There is no end to cases where middle-aged and senior workers who once held glorious titles and established positions at major companies face a harsh reality when they finally take the step into job hunting. People who held high positions, especially "department managers," tend to suffer from that gap, and this could truly be called the "tragedy of a former major company department manager." Why are they forced into such painful job-hunting activities?

Reasons why an "impressive title" becomes a hindrance

The title of "department manager" at a major company means having great authority and influence within the company. However, once you step outside the company, that "impressive title" is not necessarily a strength; in fact, it can even become a hindrance.

• Divergence from practical skills: The role of a department manager is mainly management and organizational operation, and there are not necessarily many opportunities to directly use cutting-edge practical skills. However, what is required in the job market is concrete skills and experience that can be used immediately. Specialized work experience at a major company is often seen as lacking practical skills that can be applied at other companies.

• Excessively high salary levels: Department managers at major companies earn high compensation commensurate with their position. However, at the companies they are applying to, especially venture companies and small to medium-sized enterprises, that salary level is almost never realistic. From the company's perspective, they expect "immediate results" or "concrete contributions" worth paying a high salary for, so cases where the conditions do not match occur frequently.

• Concerns about "Big Company Disease": There are concerns about "big company disease," such as a lack of the sense of speed typical of large corporations, slow decision-making, and resistance to change. Because small and medium-sized enterprises and startups seek faster decision-making and execution, past work styles can become a bottleneck.

• Skewed networks: When you work at a large company for a long time, even if you have a rich network within the company or a specific industry, your connections to other industries or different fields tend to be weak. This can limit your options for new job opportunities.

The "painful" reality faced by middle-aged and senior workers

What kind of "pain" do they experience during their actual job search?

1. The wall of document screening: Despite having a luxurious resume, there are many cases where they cannot proceed to an interview. It is not uncommon for them to be rejected at the document stage due to questions like "Why does this person want to join our company?" or a mismatch with the required skills.

2. The gap in interviews: Even if they finally reach the desired interview, what the interviewer is looking for are specific questions such as "Do you have experience in XX?" or "Can you use YY skills?" If they only talk about abstract management experience or organizational theory, the company cannot see "what they can do for us," and the conversation may not connect.

3. Salary negotiations after a job offer: Even if a job offer is made, the salary and conditions offered are often far from what they can accept based on their previous career and standard of living. This is when they first face the gap between their market value and their self-assessment, and they receive a major shock.

4. Conflict with pride: The experience of having the pride and confidence cultivated over many years shattered by the harshness of the job search is a significant mental burden. Sometimes, they are forced to consider applying to companies or job types they previously looked down upon, leading to deep inner conflict.

To avoid tragedy: Strategies that middle-aged and senior workers should take

To overcome this "painful job search" and build a new career, middle-aged and senior workers themselves need to change their mindset and take strategic actions.

• Re-recognizing market value: First, it is important to objectively re-examine your own "market value." Do not be trapped by past glory, and accurately grasp what skills and experience are currently required in the job market.

• Inventory and re-learning of skills: In addition to management experience, you are required to identify highly versatile skills such as specific project promotion ability, problem-solving ability, and digital skills, and have an attitude of actively re-learning if you are lacking in these areas.

• Specifically showing "what you can do": Instead of abstract work experience, it is important to verbalize and appeal to "what kind of problems you solved and what kind of results you produced" specifically. It is especially effective to show this quantitatively using numbers and data.

• Flexible attitude and humility: Your role at your new job may be different from your previous department head position. A flexible attitude to take on practical work in a flat organization or tasks you have never experienced before, and a humble attitude toward learning, are the keys to success.

• Expanding your network: By actively participating in cross-industry exchange meetings and job change events, and building new connections that are not bound by your previous framework, unexpected opportunities may arise.

• Utilizing job change agents: Experienced job change agents are well-versed in market trends and corporate needs. Get their professional advice and let them help you find a position where you can maximize your strengths.

Summary

A brilliant career at a large company is certainly a wonderful asset. However, in the job market, not only that "title" but also an individual's "ability" and "adaptability" are increasingly being questioned. The job search for middle-aged and senior workers is a tough road, but with proper preparation and mindset, it is entirely possible to find a new place to thrive.