It’s Because…
That’s where the jobs are
During the 1920s and 1930s, Willie Sutton gained fame as a bank robber. Reputedly he stole more than $2 million. When asked why he robbed banks, Sutton is alleged to have replied, "Because that's where the money is."
What does this have to do with your job search? First of all, no one is suggesting that you abandon your job search in favor of robbing banks. However, as an older worker seeking new, gainful employment, the obviouis question becomes where should you look? Obviously, according to Sutton’s Law, where the jobs are.
So let’s start with where the jobs are NOT. Look back over the past few decades, regardless of economic conditions, big companies are continually announcing layoffs, cutbacks, downsizing, etc. Rightly or wrongly, the first instinct of people who have been let go by a big company is to focus their job searches on other big companies.
Let’s review
Business media are quick to trumpet major corporate layoffs from 2026 that either have happened or are planned. They point to 175,000 tech and coporate job cuts. Microsoft is cutting roughly 8,000 jobs; Inuit plans to cut 3,000 jobs; and Cisco said it plans to lay off 4,000 employees.
And that’s just a partial list for this year.
So, Mr. Sutton, where are the jobs? Jobs boards such as monster.com and indeed.com have their lists. As do Glassdoor and SimplyHired and others. Unlike those mentioned above, these lists are liberally populated with small companies. Depending on whose list you cite and how you define “small company,” more than half of all U.S. workers are employed at small companies. Google reported that in the 21st Century, small businesses accounted for over half of net job creation.
If your job search doesn’t include a healthy dose of small companies as your targets, maybe it’s time to re-focus.
Does this sound appealing? Generally speaking, small companies are more open to hiring older workers; small companies don’t use AI or Automated Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen applicants; and small companies tend to have more personal and less bureaucratic cultures.
Sometimes, small can be good.
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