50 Is the New 65: Older Americans Are Getting Booted from Their Jobs -- and Denied New Opportunities

[SmittynMo]

12. They're putting us out to pasture.

I am 59, currently unemployed, and cant wait for retirement. The rat race I am witnessing is unbelievable. The job market is so screwed up right now, you can't buy a job. This even applies for jobs, I am totally overqualified for. I have been in IT my entire career, and can't find a job. What ever happened to hiring well qualified, experienced employees? And what about retaining your older experienced employees?

I could tell you about ALL of the experiences I've had over the past 10 years of seeking employment, but it would take pages. I will, however tell you about an interview I had about 3 years ago. I applied for a job in IT, one that seemed like a very good fit for me. Let me say, that prior to this incident, I have never been on an interview that was less than an hour. I was dressed with a suit and tie. I finally was asked to speak with the interviewer. His first question was, "So tell me what did you do on your last job"? I gave my 5-10 minute presentation. I was interrupted and told. "Well, this is not what we are looking for". The interview was over. I was shocked, to say the least. I went down to my car and just sat there, asking myself, "What the hell just happened"? Was it my resume? Did they not read it? No, or I would not have been interviewed. Was it my appearance, or presentation. No. I have been on many interviews in my lifetime, and I thought the presentation and my appearance were fine.
My conclusion was that I was too old and they wanted to see for themselves. It was confirmed by an ex co-worker, about my age, that also interviewed for the same position a week later. He was given the same treatment. 5 minutes and out the door. Did I have a legal case here? Some say yes. I decided against it, as it was not work my time or legal fees just to prove a point.

So let me tell you, age discrimination DOES exist!!!! So here I sit, still unemployed, trying to find a job. For every job I apply to, there are 200 or more candidates. The economy is still in the tank and I don't see it getting any better, anytime soon. And the GOP now wants to cut 1.3M people out of extended UE benefits? WTF is going on in this country? It's quite sad.