I am Old and No-one Wants to Hire me

It is amazing to me how many people believe the reason no-one is calling them in for an interview is because they are old.  Really?  How does the employer know how old you are in reading your resume?

• Did you list your birth date?
• Did you list the year you graduated?
• Did you list every job you've had since high school?

So, how would the employer know how old you are?

Chances are, they don't want to interview you because you haven't explained in your resume why they should.  Employers are receiving hundreds and thousands of resumes.  Why would your's stand out?

• Your experience exactly matches what they are looking for

• You have the exact match of skills they are looking for

• You've proven that you have successfully done  what they need you to do with their company

Your resume is a sales brochure not an historical account of everything you have done.  Adjust your resume for every job you apply to.

Honestly, I don't believe employers have anything against someone solely because of their age.  It is more likely that they see candidates as "over qualified".  This means:  EXPENSIVE.

The next time you think you aren't getting an interview because of your age, check your resume instead. 

Dr. Rita Carey offers wonderful teleconferences on the topic for those 50+.  See her listing of teleconferences.

Comments

[Career Sherpa]

Linda:
If you are getting interviews, your resume isn't the problem. Quite honestly, it sounds, based on what you've said, you are doing the right things, internships, keeping up with technology, etc. With so many people to choose from, employers can be quite particular in what they are looking for, and obviously, they are. In another economy, I bet you would have been swept up by now. Patience, this is going to take longer than ever before and definitely longer than you want.
Staying positive is really important, so take time to rejuvenate and take care of you.
One last thing, have you considered working on your interviewing strategy/answers. They may have worked before, but they aren't working now, so you may want to try practicing/role playing with people you know to get their feedback.
Hang in there Linda!

[Linda Watson]

I have to respectfully disagree. I am 49, but I look and act much younger. I am connected on Facebook, network with much younger friends and am very technologically savvy. But I continually am told that I am either over qualified or told nothing at all. I believe there is definitely an age bias-there is no way for me to say on my resume "I don't look or act my age". I have continually tried to stay up on technology while unemployed and even taken unpaid internships just to stay active and not sitting at home. But this just furthers the concept of an unstable job history. I am at a loss for what to do that I haven't already done. I have even had several people re-tool my resume. I am an outgoing and happy person that has seen negativity come from years of frustration when you do all the "right" things and get nowhere.

[David Stillwagon from over-fifty-and-looking-for-work.blogspot.com]

Great article Hannah! I agreed that most employers equate age with higher income requirements. That's unfortunate for the employer who overlooks someone who might be an asset to their company.

[Carolann Jacobs]

Hannah,
I completely agree with you. In my recent experience working with older workers I've seen three things:
1. They look "dull." Not dull in the sense of boring. Dull in the sense that they don't shine. Dull in the sense that they don't carry themselves with enthusiasm and positive energy.
2. Many have a negative attitude. You are right on the money with "I'm old and no one wants to hire me." People feel that negativity and whether they can put their finger on it or not, it turns them off.
3. Many look old. As on of my attendees put it, there's 60 and there is 60. Many people don't believe in updating their look as they get older. They get heavy (which screams "my insurance will be more expensive").

The long and the short of it is that people want to hire a person who is vibrant, and that is a characteristic that's ageless.

Thanks for a thought provoking article, Hannah!

Be Your Best You Today,
Carolann Jacobs
Business & Personal Coach
Vivid Epiphany, Inc