Getting hire after 50+_

Displaced, I took your advice and removed two jobs from my resume. Presto -- I instantly appeared 10 years younger.

Finally got my first interview two days ago. The gentleman who interviewed me (the President of the company) indicated that he is very frustrated with the lack of work ethic he is finding in the younger folks he has hired. He is interviewing so that he can replace someone who is "just not into coming to work" and who spends most of her day keeping up with the escapades of Paris Hilton via the internet (on company time).

He was actually looking for a more MATURE candidate for his office.

Well, what in the world -- some sanity, after all!! I go back for a second interview on Friday...

Excellent!! Glad to hear it! I love your interviewer's Paris Hilton reference.

Of course, the real purpose of resumes and cover letters is to get you the interview. At that point you're on your own.

Good luck with the second interview. Keep me updated. Hopefully this gentleman is sincere about hiring a more mature person and is not merely getting the company's ticket punched for the EEOC.

As an update -- I did get the job. And he offered me the top of the salary range that had been mentioned.I am SO happy right now!

I am going to do everything I can to make my new boss feel like a genius for hiring a "seasoned" professional to be his new assistant. This ole' gal still has a lotta' good years left in her... and thank goodness, someone FINALLY recognized that!

Anyone who says age discrimination isn't alive and well is beyond clueless...

Congratulations, Nashville!

"This ole' gal still has a lotta' good years left in her... and thank goodness, someone FINALLY recognized that!"

A rare event, anymore, because....

"Anyone who says age discrimination isn't alive and well is beyond clueless...."

Damn straight!

Good luck with your new job!

there was an article in a magazine I read the other day -- can't recall where -- how the workforce in Colorado is aging and in 5-10 years, it will be MUCH older.

Great news for the more mature job seekers finally.

It seems that the baby boomers are being discriminated in that employers want younger employees that they can work to death and pay little for. It use to be "experience" was something that an employer wanted, now all they seem to care about is whether you have a degree or not. A lot of jobs that require a pre-requisite of a degree, that criteria isn't what the job is all about. It is a weeding out process between those who have it and those who don't. Most clerical jobs in what you actually do in the job do not require a degree to be able to do the job. Although discrimination of age is against the law, the employers get away with it by not hiring older more experienced workers simply by saying you are not qualified and don't have a college degree.

minuspa in Saint Joseph, Michigan: "Although discrimination of age is against the law, the employers get away with it by not hiring older more experienced workers simply by saying you are not qualified and don't have a college degree."

It boils down to this: Employers only have to say is they liked other candidates better. Try to prove otherwise. You won't, unless you can demonstrate a pattern of discrimination by that company against candidates similar to you.

Employers will still argue they have the right to hire whomever they want. According to the ADEA and other laws, they don't, but they get a lot of backbone with a Republican in the White House and so many congresspeople beholden to business and special interests.

Also, employers can require college degrees. That's not illegal. But age discrimination is blatantly illegal.

I agree that it's just a tough market right now! Many corporations are feeling the pinch and perks aren't what they used to be. While I do want to see my 24 year-old daughter able to be hired and trained for her future enhancement, I feel these companies should consider us older workers too for the expertise that these volatile corporations need to keep the wheels of industry sturring in the meantime.

***Try foreign corporations that do business in the US. They are more likely to pick experience over youth. This is a hangup in our culture, but means less to the foriegner who will focus more on experience.

Steve Dillon in Sun City Center, Florida said: Being 25, we got to put you "ol cootes out to pasture" LOL!

I'm 49 and I do get a bit of pleasure out of your comment - because you one day too will be 'put out to pastor'

Sun City Center FL? Isn't that where the OLD COOTS live?

Does anybody have any experience with or knowledge of a company called Eze Castle Software? I've just sent my resume off to them again for the fourth of fifth time. This time it was with some changes to the resume and cover letter that were suggested by a support group that I have been meeting with. Eze Castle Sortware is probably the most frustrating company I have encountered so far in my job searching. They provide software to the financial industry and (supposedly) are looking for a Business/Implementation/Project consultant. I've been a software consultant in the financial district in Manhattan for fifteen years and I've designed applications and written the code and installed the finished product and written the user manuals and you-name-it. I think that if I were the person who placed the job posting that I saw on craigslist and I received a cover letter and resume like the ones I sent in, I would want to talk to that person at least once. So far it has been like I've sent everything off to BigBlackHole.com.
So, is Eze Castle Software just doing the age discrimination thing? Or are they just trolling for resumes? Or are they so screwed up that the new hires burn out after a couple of months and they have to go looking again? Maybe I should be running away from this outfit instead of trying to get in.
Any ideas?

Denni in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said: I agree that it's just a tough market right now! Many corporations are feeling the pinch and perks aren't what they used to be. While I do want to see my 24 year-old daughter able to be hired and trained for her future enhancement,

They hire the younger ones because they're cheaper "entry level" pay and many are too naive to know when they're being taken advantage of. They are too afraid too, to speak up, if they're unhappy. On the other hand, they usually just quit, so company turnover increases. Older workers have a much better work ethic and have more common sense in my view.

Hello - anybody out there? It seems kind of strange to have posted a comment a week ago and then not receive any feedback. This software was acting a little erratic recently when it kept sending new-comment alerts for the same text. Maybe something else is going to worms. I notice that the number of comments in this forum has crossed one of those "magic" thresholds that people with computer programming backgrounds notice: 255. (The next one is 32,767 in case anyone is interested). If there is someone from Indeed who monitors these forums, please take note.

Steve Dillon in Sun City Center, Florida said: Yep, you got it! It's mostly the Mexicans that are causing this by stealing our jobs!

Sorry to say but it's not the Mexicans stealing your jobs. It's the other countries that we have had war with and our government that helps them and then we have the New Orleans people that have taken our jobs too and have gotten lots of help and lived in nice place, given money and some employor's let some employee's go just to give the New Orleans people a job. All I have to say is, the Mexicans work. Who do you see working on the freeways or picking up trash, fruit etc when it's hot, you don't see the white's out there or the blacks. Hell NO!! It's to Hot!! How many Mexicans do you see under the bridge? They are not lazy. Don't just blame the Mexicnas. Blame the Government.

We can blame ourselves for loss of jobs and the global economy and NAFTA. So-called "savvy" U.S. businesspeople "ship" jobs overseas as they can get 'cheap' labor. Well there is a very high price to be paid for shopping at Walmart and "cheap labor." It's called the downslide of the American lifestyle.

Not that only WalMart buys most of their stuff from overseas... the higher end stores do too.

American labor is "too expensive" in some people's minds to be able to make a profit; especially with the automotive industry. The "rust belt" part of the U.S. is known for strong labor unions demanding high wages for generally unskilled work. That's why the auto companies are going down South and overseas. Not a great reason, but that's why. It's very complex situation.

Here is a situation I need to rant about. Employer you are working for decides to eliminate you. A decision that is made. In the beginnng of employment they were more than satisfied with work and were doing an excellent job.

Then a few people that maybe do not like you or possibly jealous of you start bad mouthing you to the supervisor(s) and such. Now since your reputation is ruined you are told that your work is really bad also. but it was excellent a few weeks or days ago mind you (go figure) They are no longer satisfied but yet you are still employed at the company for quite a long time after.

Then one fine day it is announced they are hiring 2 people to replace the job you are doing! I had to ask, I was not told (kind of like worm it out of them) If I am being replaced, which through worming, I found out I am.

In the meantime, working my butt off to do a job that really requires 2 people. Am overworked, and am feeling lots of nasty barbs from all over the place. I do not know if this has anything to do with being over 50+ Has anyone experienced anything similar?

LindaM - Are they replacing you with two part timers or two full timers? If it is two p/t employees it has to do with cutting back on benefits. If they are replacing you with two full timers it's your age. Age has everything to do with it, been there and done that! My last employee would make statements "old people have nothing to do but complain", "old people should stay at home and watch TV", "old people sleep all day,don't they UNEMPLOYED?". Yes, I heard it all. I was let go (I can't go into detail here) because I am OLD but it was never said directly to my face.

I am being replaced by 2 full timers. And no they would never tell you your too old to your face! But still 2 full timers to take the place of 1 employee? It seems cheaper to keep the 1 employee instead of hiring on 2 and letting go of 1? Who really knows what they are thinking.

Linda, Something is off here. You were doing your job, holding down a position that required two employees all by yourself. If I were you I would contact the EEOC. You deserve to know why you were let go. Seems they had another objective here and it could possibly be the age factor. In my heart I know that was the reason I was let go.

Seconded. Good advice, Unemployed.

They will never tell you why they are letting you go--not the real reason anyway. I wish this employment situation-especially for those of us over 50--would be less scary. One foot in front of the other, I guess. Keep the faith. I need some positive reinforcements when it comes to employment over 50.

Hey Displaced, Hope all is well with you.

Linda, They had to give you some sort of reason,even if it makes no sense to you whatsoever. I was told "we have no place to transfer you to". No matter what words were said they still have to give you a reason - "Oh, we didn't like the color lipstick you had on today" You can't be fired without being told why. You have a case if they just said clean out your desk without a reason. If they did give you one I'd still call a lawyer or the EECO and see what they say.

LindaM in Barrington, Illinois said: They will never tell you why they are letting you go--not the real reason anyway. I wish this employment situation-especially for those of us over 50--would be less scary. One foot in front of the other, I guess. Keep the faith. I need some positive reinforcements when it comes to employment over 50.

Linda, I got laid off from my job back in Feb. And they replaced me with a 23 year old that has sexual harrsement charges against him. I have contacted the EEOC but no response. I never got the forms they was sending.
The company i worked for just got that guy out of one building and put him in mine. Now not sure what to do. Anyone got any phone numbers?

Unemployed Property Manager in West Palm said: Hey Displaced, Hope all is well with you.

Back atcha, Unemployed. At least you don't have to dodge any hurricanes at the moment.

Unemployed Property Manager said: You can't be fired without being told why....

Technically, under at-will employment, you can. By the same token, under at-will employment you can leave a job at any time without saying why to your employer or giving notice. You can collect UIB if you did not cause your termination. At least in Colorado you may still be awarded partial benefits if your termination is in dispute.

I agree with calling the EEOC, though I've read where ninety percent of the time the EEOC agrees with employers. But it's still worth a shot, if only to preserve your rights.

Juana, I know the feeling. I thought that they wasn't to ask your age. Now they have away around it. They have to have you DOB in order to do the back ground checks. They never do them so that way they don't have to hire anny of us. Most of the younger group of people taking our place just want MONEY, they could care less about the job or how to do it RIGHT.
What can we do?
I got laif off in Feb this year, and was replaced with a 23 year old with charges against him from another place. I was laid off because the director didn't like me. Go figure that one out.

You are wrong to shill your promotion on the free fora to the detriment of Indeed's paid advertisers.

Displaced, I always thought a company had to give you some idea why they were letting you go. Interesting to know they do not have to do that.I guess I just learned a good lesson - I was let go of my last position lol...
Blondie - lets face it - the younger you are the more hireable you are. Guess I have to get out my mini skirt and go-go boots !

Just to let everyone know, they are letting me go because they decided they want a different personality type (young)

(young) is my "reading between the lines" of what was told to me.

While "different personality type" is a bullsh!t reason to be canned, at least you are entitled to UIB.

Nothing may come of it, but consider calling the federal and your state's EEOCs.

So many people wax eloquently about having a positive attitude, when one door closes another opens, etc. Those people are Pollyannas. I deal strictly in reality. Reality is very few, if any, employers want people over 50, much less consider them seriously. For that matter, 40+ is hard. In any event, best of luck with your efforts and keep us updated.

While "different personality type" is a bullsh!t reason to be canned, at least you are entitled to UIB.

Nothing may come of it, but consider calling the federal and your state's EEOCs.

So many people wax eloquently about having a positive attitude, when one door closes another opens, etc. Those people are Pollyannas. I deal strictly in reality. Reality is very few, if any, employers want people over 50, much less consider them seriously. For that matter, 40+ is hard. In any event, best of luck with your efforts and keep us updated.

Linda, I can understand what you mean. I just got statements about old people then finally found the front door was opened for me to leave. Guess it goes to show you - young has it a little better in certain jobs. Of course, McCaine is one of the exceptions. Guess if he can do it so can I.

Juana in New York City in Little Neck, New York said: What is up with this companies and agencies? They do not want to hire someone after 50. If you don't put the dates on the resume, they'll contact you wanting to know the dates and then when you tell them, they never call you back. You would think they want some one reliable and with experience.

At 50 you can have up to 30 years' experience and I knew what the employer would think. What you should consider doing is to adjust your resume to reflect less years of experience at your first job or depending on your years their don't include it at all. If you need to cut years from the first job such as from 1978 changed to 1988 just indicate the positions you held as of 88 with that company. If the question comes up why you omitted 10 years, well you've given them the positions you held as of 1988 and consider you've already given them the first impression and they can see you're quite presentable and not 100 years old.
But you should also consider, especially if you have only one salary coming in to your home, when you are taking a pay cut you may very well need to take a second job during these times, if you can find one. Good luck. I, as I'm sure many others, know what someone specifcally 50+ is going through. We have our age/experience against us. Good luck.

biffula in Arlington, Texas said: Americans you need to wake up! It's a global economy. We've lived fat and happy so long we're in for a big wake up! When dirt poor people around the world are willing to work for less what do you expect to happen? Companies are only smart to outsource the jobs. Labor is a commodity. Companies will go where it's cheapest. Get yourself educated and stop your pathetic whining!

You sound like a typical conservative dumbass from Texas...Are we all in a "race for the bottom" competition?...I hope the Obama Administration straightens out your head.

I am 50 years old and have been out of work since July, worked 30 years at the same place and was replaced by a 20 year old, that everyone tells cannot do the job, in fact they were calling me for answers on things. My unemployment runs out in June, at the moment I am homeless and job less. Right now I am using someone's computer. I have applied everywhere, Walmart, etc, I will do anything, dig ditches whatever I don't care. I have two mentally challenger sons who are going though difficulty at this time. I am about ready to give up. I go for interviews and never hear anything or I find out they hired someone younger. Granted young people need jobs too, but companies should not beable to lay people off because of their age. When you have been with a company for over 30 years, that company should be responsible enough to take care of their loyal employees rather than throw them out the door like a piece of trash. I see no end in sight and will probably be living in a cardboard box somewhere very soon.

Well at least we have the 58 year old pilot who landed his plane in the Hudson River. Experience is valuable after all, even if it is not recognized.

missin in Lafayette, Indiana said: I am 50 years old and have been out of work since July, worked 30 years at the same place and was replaced by a 20 year old, that everyone tells cannot do the job, in fact they were calling me for answers on things. My unemployment runs out in June, at the moment I am homeless and job less. Right now I am using someone's computer. I have applied everywhere, Walmart, etc, I will do anything, dig ditches whatever I don't care. I have two mentally challenger sons who are going though difficulty at this time. I am about ready to give up. I go for interviews and never hear anything or I find out they hired someone younger. Granted young people need jobs too, but companies should not beable to lay people off because of their age. When you have been with a company for over 30 years, that company should be responsible enough to take care of their loyal employees rather than throw them out the door like a piece of trash. I see no end in sight and will probably be living in a cardboard box somewhere very soon.

If you worked for them for thirty years, do they have mandatory retirement? I would go to a lawyer, one who specializes in age discrimination. You have it verified they replaced you with a 20 year old. You have it verified they are calling you for assistance. I would go to a age discrimination lawyer. It won't cost you anything.

Mea Culpa in Stamford, Connecticut said: Well at least we have the 58 year old pilot who landed his plane in the Hudson River. Experience is valuable after all, even if it is not recognized.

Just the problem with airlines is they won't bring on 58-year-old pilots as new hires!

Aviation and airlines are some of the most blatant practitioners of age discrimination around. The ideal pilot candidate for major airlines is somewhere in his/her mid to late twenties to early thirties. They have no shortage of "ideal" candidates. But for exceptional circumstances getting on as a pilot with the airlines becomes harder and harder as one turns older. On the other hand, airlines hire flight attendants of all ages.

Mary inTampa in Tampa, Florida said: If you worked for them for thirty years, do they have mandatory retirement? I would go to a lawyer, one who specializes in age discrimination. You have it verified they replaced you with a 20 year old. You have it verified they are calling you for assistance. I would go to a age discrimination lawyer. It won't cost you anything.

Employment cases are hard to prove because an employer need only say it liked other candidates better. But, in this case, I second Mary. Give an employment lawyer a call. It may be worth it.

I would have told them to go to hell if they had called me for answers.

Well, not only can I not have a job I cannot find a place to live. So I gues after this week, I will join the ranks of being homeless. Being a loyal employee means nothing anymore. As far as I can see, my life as I use to know it is now over

Why are you homeless? Did you lose your house in foreclosure? Are you living in an apartment and can't pay the rent? Apply for government assistance. If you have a house get a roommate, fast - and see about remodifying your mortgage. Let us know what happens.

Before I lost my job my two sons and I had a home, so I decided to move back to my hometown to be near family, first mistake because there are no jobs out there, but thought it would be good for my kids. Long story but have an ex who has made our life very difficult. Anyhow so I put my home on a land contact, basically its still in my name but someone else lives there and they make the payments, so because I did that , which was another mistake, I can't get any help nor can I get my house back, its a 2 year agreement then they are suppose to buy it. I cannot find a job not for lack of trying, so I am in a no win situation. Unemployment is due to run out soon, plus my kids, are actually young adults, who will always need someone because they have some mental difficulty, which is another whole story. Both need help but no insurance so no help. I never thought I would be in this situation, I have been a single parent for over ten years and devoted my life to my kids and now we have nothing, no home, no job, no insurance. Soon no unemployment.

American employers no longer want permanent workers. They want temp or contract workers so that they don't have to pay benefits (health insurance, etc). Or, they want to outsource. They will do anything for dirt cheap labor. This is why Americans have a lower standard of living than many other industrialized countries. Its true! America is NOT the best country in the world to live in, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). There is no job security, no socialized medicine and if you do have health insurance, they rip you off. In a few years, no one will have a chance of a permanent job anymore because everything will be temp or contract.

Displaced Legal Professional in Denver, Colorado said: Unemployed Property Manager in West Palm Beach, Florida: "I won't go near headhunters. I did try a temp employment agencies about 3 weeks ago because the position they advertised sounded great. Never heard from them again. Guess I'll just sit here at the computer and do 'job searches.'"

Sure. Guaranteed, your time will be far more productive foraging for jobs yourself than attending some headhunter interview that will lead you to oblivion.

Applying directly to companies requires much more work, but who said that serious jobhunting is a part-time job. By applying directly you are in control of your job search instead of dealing with the secrecy that shrouds headhunter jobs. Not to mention bogus ads, unreturned phone calls, rudeness and general lack of consideration which have been addressed ad infinitum.

Those headhunters are nothing but a bunch of no good maggot farmers!!!!!!!!!

Juana in New York City in Little Neck, New York said: Thanks, not quite 50 in Hinsdale, Illinois, I am trying to hang in there. I have no other choice. I hope America wakes up. Older workers have a lot to offer. Lets hope things change before I retire.

Hello all of you 50'ish people, remember this: you are only as old as you feel! I am in there too, and we are what they call the " old school" workers who are always on time, always show up, and always can be depended on. What is the matter with this world today? Hang in there, it may be the economy for now, and it is their loss if they don't hire you...

anonymous in Glendora, California said: Hello all of you 50'ish people, remember this: you are only as old as you feel! I am in there too, and we are what they call the " old school" workers who are always on time, always show up, and always can be depended on. What is the matter with this world today? Hang in there, it may be the economy for now, and it is their loss if they don't hire you...

It is there loss, however they do not see it that way, that's for sure.

I am now 51. And I have to say - I have started going back to the gym, at least four days a week.

We are only as old as we feel - but perspective employers think of us as "We are only as old as we look." We are competing with a younger employment group - and we need to be competitive - which means keeping our bodies "up to date" and not looking like we're ready to cross over to senior citizenship.

I know that there are some cases of age discrimination but I'm 49 and just got a good contract assignment. The woman said she wanted someone more mature as she's "had it" with 20-somethings with personal issues, etc. I do have to say however, that I've never felt age discriminated against. I do have a lot of personal energy I've been told and I dress fashionably because I like to. Maybe if job seekers are coming across as lacking in personal energy or "expecting" to be discriminated against, it's a self fulfilling prophecy and may mean more than a chronological age? I try to work out as often as I can too.

Lupe Gonzalez in Plano, Texas said: American employers no longer want permanent workers. They want temp or contract workers so that they don't have to pay benefits (health insurance, etc). Or, they want to outsource. They will do anything for dirt cheap labor. This is why Americans have a lower standard of living than many other industrialized countries. Its true! America is NOT the best country in the world to live in, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). There is no job security, no socialized medicine and if you do have health insurance, they rip you off. In a few years, no one will have a chance of a permanent job anymore because everything will be temp or contract.

The World Health Organization is not credible!