How I was discriminated against
I can attest to the stories of discrimination found on this site. I have applied for over 100 positions which i can easily qualify for and handle with ease. Yes,I am sixt , healthy, stronger and faster than most 30 year olds and everyone knows this. I have every credential imaginable and some. Yes, I am interviewed by young people who think because they hold their positions that they know what a real working pro is. Fact is......They have little to no idea what I am capable of. I am 6 feet tall, weigh 224 lbs. and could do my job with any two of them hanging on my right arm while I work! Video game masters!
What it's like being an older or younger job seeker
I love being my age and look back to think what i have done in the past. I have held positions that most will never get the chance to hold. I feel sorry for the younger generation because of their general lack of a real work ethic. I find that i scare people when they find out who and what i am because there is no way that they will ever attain what i have and will never get to the heights i have reached in my profession. I see the vulnerability in everyone i talk to during an interview. I think they see it too. I am VERY overqualified for anything in my trade and that seems to scare them more than my age. I will never pretend to be less than myself and believe that sooner than later i will be recognized. The payscales are half of what i was making 20 years ago and the general knowledge of the present work force is pitifull. I have many great years to give and will never settle for some meaningless position with anyone.
Lessons Learned
- I have learned that when you go out of your way to be better than the best and get to a point in your life where you know more about a subject than people half your age you did the wrong thing. Video games didn't come out until I was 40 and I should have learned how to play most of them so I could later relate to my future boss... lol. Maybe I should have learned to play golf!...lol lesson learned......I am still a better person, employee, professional instructor than anyone I have met to date. I am not one to toot my own horn ..but I have been told, it is SO true.
