How I was discriminated against
I know that I have been discriminated against though I 'd be hard pressed to prove it. Often the turn down is worded as "does not fit our needs at this time". The employer can't be accused of age discrimination. The "need" may simply be the desire for a younger person in the position. When I was younger and less skilled I seemed to jobs that I was under qualified for. I feel like my looks may have been a factor then just as my age maybe a factor now that I am more experienced and have a college degree.
What it's like being an older or younger job seeker
Frustrating and disheartening. That about sums it up in two words.
Walk into a job interview armed with the skills you learned in job search classes at the employment office. Your clothes are just right, your appearance is as close to perfect as you can make it. Your conduct during the interview would have probably gotten you a job offer in years past, but somehow it just doesn't work now. Sometimes they don't even bother to call to let you know that they Hired someone else for the position.
Right now we're at a place in time when it's a buyers market for labor. Employers can pick and choose who to hire. Unskilled labor has,for the most part, gone over seas with the help of tax dollars paid to companies in search of cheap labor.
Lessons Learned
- That despite advances in rules for hiring there are still ways for employers to get around them
- That it might be a good time to assess your other skills and consider self employment as an option in areas you might not have considered before.
- Perseverance and patience are two of your most valuable assets, use them
- Think creatively, consider other ways to make a living.Where I live a former executive who couldn't find a job opened a hot dog stand
