How I was discriminated against
Two years ago I worked at a Non-profit organization and was the oldest person employed in that facility as a Teacher. It was an experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life. In working with people that thought of you as being to old to work with 3-5 year old children was a nightmare. I endured being called a old lady that had no business being there and why would they hire someone that old?
The people talking were people that had no formal education and was single-parents that had no desire to move forward in anything especially education. They were their solely for a paycheck not for the children.
What it's like being an older or younger job seeker
Being an older job seeker disables a person character. An older job seeker sees themselves as having the experience as well as the knowledge to perform a job but haven't been granted the opportunity to perform the job and perform it well. I have filled out and mailed and faxed over two-hundred applications.
I have sent cover letters along with applications, my resume has been checked and re-checked so many times for wording and presentation, and skills needed and qualifications. Each time the response is we have hired someone that better suits the position that you are applying for. The bottom line is we have hired someone younger and with more stamina. Older job seekers are just as quick to learn as younger ones and more likely to be more stable if given the chance. Being over 50 isn't considered old to me but to hiring managers it is. I graduated college after I turned 50 and wow! It has really been hard!!
Lessons Learned
- Keep applying because one day a No will eventually turn into a Yes!!
- Continue to be Positive.
- Encourage others that have been or is going through the same situation.
- Believe in Oneself
- Being over 50 is a blessing even if they think otherwise.
