Why Older Workers Can’t Get Hired

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Age discrimination is alive and well in the job market. The problem is that it's hard to prove.

Susanne Tso of AZ 2:22PM September 18, 2012

what about the restaurant server. wouldn't you want to be served by a experienced older server with respect, than a young kid who could care less about you and is there just for the money?

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Freeman Owen, Jr of MD 3:14PM August 02, 2012

Want to hear something scary? I am an Information Technology Technical Writer who used to work for a large municipal local government --I retired in 2010.
I specialized in software documentation; designing online Help Messaging Systems for data applications; client-side Web Design and graphical user interface development; database management; and normalizing large data tables of older apps so that they can be imported into newer apps.
While most American adults read at an eighth grade level, IT documentation writers not only have to be able to read at college level, they also need to communicate with and understand software engineers enough to be able to explain the software they design in the least complicated way possible to end users.
The last job offer I got was on the day I retired. When I told the recruiter that I had just retired, she said to contact her if I ever decided to take up tech writing again. Why? Because our numbers are dwindling. most people, including programmers, are not very good at tech writing, nor do they have the patience required --and I'm talking about older people like myself.
The younger folks are usually even worse at it. They are so used to 'texting' that many of them can't even construct a complete, grammatically correct sentence with words that are fully and accuratey spelled. That's why the recruiter expressed interest in my old, retired self.
Now for the scary part. I have end stage renal disease --i.e. I'm dying. Once I go, that's one less IT tech writer on this Earth. In other words, once we old folks have all gone to meet our maker, the industry will be stuck for a time with twenty-something young adults who can only write poorly composed and misspelled blurbs that are 250 characters or less.
The world will always be in need of coherent, well-contructed instructional written materials. Of course young people are sharp and quick to learn. The problem is, who will be left to teach them how?

Pamela of CO 8:15PM July 16, 2012

I was told by one prospective employer they wanted someone "green and less seasoned." I believe there is a great deal of fear among the younger, less experienced individuals, doing the hiring, that their own job would be threatened if they hire you. I come from administrative work and am always asked how my computer skills are. Did they read my resume? You don't do what I did and receive the awards, etc. without knowing how to use a computer. The younger generation think they know more than older individuals because they are better at texting incomplete sentences to each other.
P.S. Why am I out of work? My husband lost his job and after 13 months found employment in another state. So I had to quit my job. But my unemployment does not get counted.
The type of jobs I am qualified for require hours upon hours of filling out applications on-line. What I do not understand is how is it legal for employers to require you to complete the EEOC paperwork prior to hiring you. This information wants to know your age, gender, ethnicity, etc. Most will not accept your application if you refuse to answer these questions. There are many other forms they want you to complete that also asks these questions.
Is there discrimination going on out there? I don't want to blame my not being able to find employment on someone or something else, but I cannot help but wonder. Questions asked on those forms include information about your Financial Status - have you ever received governmental benefits; Gender; Age - when did you graduate from high school, or straight out ask for your birthdate; Veteran Status - we all know veterans get status because I am sure the government is giving incentives to employers; Ethnicity - well there are many industries whose HR departments are not the same ethnicity as me and well, with the qualifications I bring to the table, I am ashamed to wonder.
In addition the people screening applicants are very narrow minded. They look for a title and not skills - they simply do not read what is in front of them. If you try working through an employment agency they are even worse. Looking for a specific name of an accounting software instead of the skill set. And for employers, if all you want is someone who knows your specific software package (when there are thousands out there) you are cheating yourself out of very qualified individuals who could learn your software in a matter of days.
And finally - ONLY in America - If you are NOT Bilinqual in Spanish - You Need NOT Apply.
Signed: Back to Square One...Oops, probably can't even get a restaurant server's job anymore...a few too many curves

Lisa of FL 10:11AM July 02, 2012

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REQUIRE THAT HALF OF ALL COMPANY EMPLOYEES BE OVER THE AGE OF 45. THIS SHOULD BE MADE INTO A LAW!!!

DEBBIE SMITH of NC 5:51PM June 22, 2012

The problem is not us, its this peter pan minded American Society. The suggestions to appear "ageless" to get hired are pure hogwash. Why should we pretend to be something we arent? If society cant accept my aged self, then its their great loss. I will just feed off society, instead of contributing to it, if that's what Gen Y wants.

archibald of IA 9:33PM June 07, 2012

The two main reasons older people are mass terminated in the private sector and then cannot find work are 1. The extreme back loading of the present value of accrued benefits for defined benefit pension plans, and 2. Very high and increasing health care costs for older people.
In the heavily unionized public sector the back loading is why the unions fight so hard to avoid being fired and why they so rarely terminate voluntarily, especially if the pension plan has employee contributions. The greatest example of the latter is our postal system, where virtually no one ever leaves.

Andy Lang of PA 4:08PM May 21, 2012

I also think that some younger supervisors feel threatened by hiring someone older than themselves because they feel intimidated which isn't the older person fault. Unfortunately, the hiring manager has all the power so if they are biased against older people (even if you are the perfect candiate for the job) they will go for one of their less qualified by younger peers because it makes them feels more comfortable. Thats discrimination but how are you going to prove it? I agree that younger people will NOT say as long as an older person would because they feel like they can afford to job hop and often are always looking for the "next big thing". Older workers are more likely to want to stability and to stay in one place. I noticed the younger workers don't seem to have much loyality to the places they work at either. If someone offers them something better, they have no regrets hoping right on over.

queenfluff of IL 12:58PM May 21, 2012

Google SBIR. Been to many job fairs and talked too many good folks. The amount of talent at these events is enough for a start up. The point is provide new innovation for SBIR. LOL

Joe of IA 8:22PM May 20, 2012