How I was discriminated against
There have been no blatant statements such as, "you're too old" or, "we're looking for someone younger", but it just seems like when an interviewer starts asking about previous work related experience, and I tell them I had my previous job for forty years, their eyes glaze over, and the interview comes to a quick conclusion.
They are not interested in background and experience, they are interested in robotic, plug-in temps, who will work for $8.00 an hour for about three weeks, then quit.
What it's like being an older or younger job seeker
Being an older job seeker, most companies don't want to invest in someone willing to give it their all until they are ready to retire. They are more content with rapid turnover in their workforce, giving the company they represent a built in excuse for poor service or products. "Oh we had to let half of that department go, they were screwing things up".
All companies assume that someone 60 years old is either incompetent to work in todays fast paced environment, or looking to retire in a couple of years. I've got news for them, some of us will never be able to retire, as we have not worked in the government, or as union truck drivers!
Lessons Learned
- I have no advice to give, as my job searching has been unsuccessful so far. I point out to interviewers that I have no plans for retirement, but that makes no difference. What I find out is that my age and previous experience, makes me "over qualified" for the position being offered. What a load of BS!!!
