Better Than 50-50

Just over two years ago, Chris Czarnik set out to squash the stereotype that displaced workers over the age of 50 can’t land a job. Fed up by the grumblings that individuals were too old or made too much money was the inspiration behind the founding of the 50/50 Club.

As the employment advisor for Fox Valley Technical College and the JobSeekers Network (JSN) facilitator, Czarnik established the 50/50 Club, inaugurating any JSN member that was over 50 years old who landed a job making more than $50,000 a year.

About 30 people have been inducted into the Club to date. “I’d say one out of every three people or so that come to JobSeekers Network fits into that category. They are a subset of everyone that attends the class,” says Czarnik.

A handful of Club members reunited on Fox Valley Technical College’s Appleton campus in March to explore ways to give back to the program.

JSN is a class supported by FVTC’s Student Employment Services. Two classes are held on the Appleton campus and one on the Oshkosh campus each week. Students, graduates and the general public are welcome to attend.

Czarnik educates participants on how to conduct a proactive job search. Designed for job seekers who have tried on their own and failed, the JSN approach follows a step-by-step project management format. The process is the same regardless of an individual’s age, industry or employment level. The structured format gets results.

“What worked for people 10 years ago isn’t working anymore because it is a different time and a different economy,” Czarnik says. “It requires them to take a different approach to their job search.”
The class curriculum revolves. The program takes about 10 weeks to complete, but people are invited to join at any time and stay as long as they need. Each week, about 50 to 80 people rely on the group’s guidance.

While JSN offers job seekers critical tools for success, it also serves as a valuable networking resource. Fellow classmates provide connections; those that have landed a position are a source for potential company openings. Just under 300 people who have been involved in the JSN process at one point or another are part of the active LinkedIn group.

“Someone conducting their job search could look through that list, find someone in the same industry or line of work and contact them to do an informational interview,” says Czarnik.

When Dan Sawall was displaced after spending 30 years with one employer, he found himself in unchartered waters. “I never thought I would have issues finding a job because I had so much experience,” he says. “I started to fire off applications and resumes, but it just wasn’t working.”
He rode the rollercoaster of fear, concerned his age was impacting his job search, but proudly joined the 50/50 Club just over a year ago.

The JSN method of scheduling informational, face-to-face meetings with people did the trick. “Companies are looking for qualified people that have the soft skills that are impossible to sell on a piece of paper,” says Sawall. “Through the class, I learned the importance of making personal contacts.”

After three months of conducting her own job search, Sally Pittman from Little Chute began attending JSN to get an extra push. “It was an entirely new way to approach the job search,” she says.

These connections gave Pittman the confidence she needed. After following the JSN method for six months, she landed a job at FIS Global in Appleton.

The program’s success is largely attributed to the structured format. Assignments are given each week and informational meetings are required. Czarnik keeps participants on task.In two months, at least 20 JSN members found employment.

“We have grown significantly over the last few years because I feel we found a better way,” says Czarnik