Robert's Story: Overlooked By Employers
It can often feel like you are being passed over for younger candidates when on the job search - especially when you hear that they are no longer interested after submitting information that could show your age.
Here’s what Robert said about it:
I’m a 57 year old man with 33 years of supervisory and managerial skills...and have applied to many companies. Only to be told that they have decided to proceed with other candidates...much younger than I. I wasn’t asking for 70-100k a year as they were probably were thinking, just a job so that I could get back into the swing of things, and help a company be successful...It’s frustrating knowing that we seniors can do just as good of a job if not better than the younger generation because of our comparison in skills.
Has this ever happened to you? Have you felt overlooked as an older jobseeker?
Review your résumé and wipe the graduation dates off your education entries and cull experience that is older than ten years ago. If you must spell out experience, list it as no longer than "over ten years". Hiring managers and coworkers don't need to know that you've been working longer than they've been alive (ask my wife how it feels).
I have been through the same. I have been apply for over a year and with only 4 interviews came up empty. My experience and salary requirements are not too much to ask for. Being single and running low on my financial savings is causing me stress. Just looking for an opportunity to show the companies I am applying to that I come with experience, loyalty and integrity.
With your level experience of experience, it’s an assumption that you’re going to want more than a younger person. They could probably pay three younger people compared to the expectation of what they think they would have to pay you. If you make it clear to them that you’re not looking for very much money you’d have a better opportunity.
Absolutely. I applied for a customer service position. I have 25 years of experience in constituent services. When I was speaking to why I felt I was qualified for the customer service job because of my government level experience, the much younger interviewer said that my 25 years of experience "didn't count" -- she really wanted to hire someone with a 4 year degree, because that meant that the individual "could stick with something" (completing college). It didn't understand her rationale. She was probably about three years old when I started my last career in the state legislature.
Yes I wonder why they just be honest and tell you that not going to hire you or something instead been ghost or tell a bunch of lies.
Maybe your out of shape remember appearance is also a major factor no one wants a slow who can't see thier toes or smells like a cigarette