General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Unemployable At 50 Fate Of Present And Future Workers [View all]Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)I just love it when over-50 people scoff at the idea of age discrimination....they are comfy in secure jobs, haven't been unemployed in years (if ever), and so don't know what it's like out there to look for new employment past the age of 50.
I changed jobs at 58. I was lucky. But you know, that is rare. And I came with a stable job history, references, no black marks on my record at all. So I found a new job fairly quickly....AT A LOW WAGE. Still, I was lucky to find one.
There are things you can do to help the bias, though, so here are some tips, both from me and from an employment agent who told me that the reason older workers have trouble finding work are because of these things, not exactly age:
1. Get your weight down to the norm. Being obese, which many people are these days, makes you look older, and it makes you unhealthier than someone who's not obese. A prospective employer will think that an obese worker will have, or will most likely get, diabetes, high blood pressure, miss more work, etc. "Norm" can include being overweight. Just not obese. If you are obese, there's not much you can do in the short term, except to start work on this immediately, and dress to look neat and slim, to de-emphasize it.
2. Update your appearance. You DO have to look like you live in the 21st century. A navy suit is always in style, but not if your skirt hits below the knee, and your shoes like those your grandma wore, and that's the same hairstyle you wore in high school (unless it's a classic that is always in style).
3. Don't mention any physical restriction or ailment. Period. Unless you really have a disability. Otherwise, you should be prepared to be able to perform the duties that you are applying for.
4. Be energetic. Step up your walk, be bright and peppy when you speak (don't overdo it!). If you slog in, walk slowly, carefully sit down, push yourself up out of your chair, are slow to respond to questions....that ages you. Are you 90 years old? If not, try to be the energetic person you really are!
5. It's okay to ask about benefits, incl. insurance, but don't go on about insurance details. That leads employers to think you're sickly. "Does the insurance pay for diabetes medication?" is not something a 40 year old would be asking, probably. You can find out details AFTER the interview, if you get the job. Or ask the agent to find out.
6. Gray hair is aging. It looks great on some women, and is appropriate for men. But there's no doubt that gray hair shouts "mature." A GOOD hair coloring job takes years off a woman's appearance. No gray roots....goes w/o saying.
7. Have a happy disposition. We all tend to get a little more sober, solemn, as we age. The trials and tribulations of life begin to take their toll. And with unemployment, serious depression can set in. Try to act a little more like you were a couple of decades ago.
8. Be confident. You would make a good employee, right? You're a good, productive, reliable worker, right? Any company would be lucky to have you, right, despite the competition? You have a lot to offer, right? Don't be arrogant, but be confident in your abilities.
The agent I used told me that some older workers have bad job histories, look very unhealthy, are overly concerned with insurance (meaning they have health issues), dressed sloppily for interviews (believe it or not), didn't fix their hair or take care with grooming, etc. She said those are the reasons those older workers didn't get jobs. The reasons are age related indirectly, sometimes, but not strictly age-based. She said that I, and those like me, would not have a problem. And I didn't. She was right. I was surprised because I was convinced no one would want me because of my age. But she knew what she was talking about.
Age discrimination exists. But there are companies out there that value mature workers, and the reliability and experience they bring to a job. Keep at it! Being unemployed is very upsetting and depressing (I speak from experience). Confidence is hard to come by. I went on my first interview, not having had any sleep for 36 hours (I was so depressed I couldn't eat or sleep). I didn't sleep much, and I lost a full dress size in two weeks from not eating. But I put up a fake front, did my best to be professional in interviews, I made some mistakes...but I got a job, and I am pretty happy in my new job. IT CAN HAPPEN.