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

[Bennyboy]

32. at 58, I been at it now for 8+ years....

I have 40 different types or resumes on my computer right now. From cashier at a gas station to advertising manager. I've sent out thousands, for every kind of job imaginable. I've received maybe 10 responses. 4 interviews. One job offer, but that guy was a crook and never paid me after working for him for three weeks...One non job offer.

Of course my long term self employment has worked against me as well....

In the other interviews, both in my trade and something I have done long term before, I've been told that I was too old by the employers. Flat out. Then they told me why. that I was too expensive to hire, even at starting wages. That people over 50... men especially, file the most comp claims, have more on the job injuries and are more costly when it comes to medical insurance. They take more time off for parental care and are usually unhappy workers due to the change in status. they also come into a job with 'preexisting conditions" medically that might cause a comp claim, time off, or poor performance.

Further, in my case, being a business owner, manager most of my life all employers automatically think I (you) are going after their jobs or will be tough to train in the company ways.

So, I became a care giver. First for my parents and now for a friend. Pay is shit but it is a roof and no bills other than my insurance and food, so not bad. I decided to drop out of consumerism a long time ago, so money is not a huge need for me right now. I ahve other clients and people lined up in the future so I will be able to do this for a while anyway.

I have a non profit that allows me festival passes so I don't really have that, so I can do what I like to do without it really costing much.....