How to Get a Job When You're 60 Plus

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I am an Indian worked in INDIAN AIR FORCE for 20 years in Instrumentation as Sergeant and Air craft instructor for transport air craft.
After doing plenty of automation courses joined industries. Worked abroad for Instrumentation and Automation projects of Cement plants for 16 years.
Have excellent knowledge in Instrumentation systems and Automation projects , operation and maintenance , modifications.
As my age is now 60 plus , still physically and mentally fit to give my best
services to any of the organizations.

CINANE HANUMANTHA RAO 12:34AM February 07, 2011

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ovaisj of TX 11:42PM December 20, 2010

My husband was laid off in his 50's, is now 60, and either his age or poor credit because of late bills is hindering him. He got retraining and gets interviews but no job. Employers with attitude that older guys are too set in their ways may someday be in the same boat. Lay off the older HR people so we have new blood who are not so prejudiced, and make it illegal to discriminate on credit history (criminals probably have great credit because they can pay their bills) or age.

s boyer of PA 10:47AM August 13, 2010

This comment is for Cheyenne Peyton of CO. Maybe you never be in the shoes of a senior looking for a job; because if you enter that treshhold, with your attitude, you will find yourself looking for eons. I do not believe that a senior should have to grovel to find or keep a job. In this modern, and global economy, many seniors have gone back to college, earn their degrees, and are now mostly overqualified for the minial jobs offered them. Many have to resort to food-stamps, and other social help in order to keep their heads over water. These seniors are highly skilled and keep abreast of the newest technology avaible in the job market.

Christine Horold of NC 11:57PM July 08, 2010

And I suppose the 58 year old who wouldn't hire older workers is the same sort of fellow who dismisses the unemployed with "why don't you get a job"?
Employment is a two-way street, people who want to work should be able to get jobs and not be denied them because of age or experience.
The notion that the older worker is set in his ways is absurd, people continue to learn thru out life. For that matter most of what is needed on any job has little to do with the "latest". Jobs are 80% getting along with people and only 20% technical. The youngster with the latest text book learning is not necessarily the best at working with others.
Age bias is as irrational and as perverse as race discrimination.

Bubba of MN 10:41PM June 30, 2010

At any age you have to earn a job. At no age are you guaranteed a job. At no age are you entitled to a job. If you are older, experience counts for very little. Just because you have experience doesn't mean you are the best qualified for a position. While it's always good to have a veteran working for you if this veteran is convinced that the way they did things when they were 20 years younger works today, they don't deserved to be hired. They will drag your business down. They are beyond learning anything new. They have an attitude that is toxic to companies. I wouldn't hire them.
Unless...
Unless they are adaptible, unless they want to learn, unless they will shut up and never say the words no one wants to ever hear in a company, "when I was with ABC Company we did things this way." Any senior who utters those words should be fired on the spot.
But if a senior worker can let go of their past, learn new ways of doing things they might have done differently in the past, be open to trying new way and be humble in their approach to getting a job, they this person will be one of the best candidates you could ever employ.
But experience, as valuable as that is, never should be the main criteria for hiring someone. They have to be humble, they have to still be able to learn new things and they never can say what they are entitled to, just because they are older. Humility not arrogance will get seniors good jobs.,

Cheyenne Peyton of CO 2:24AM June 07, 2010

I have literally been trying to get a simple office assistant or administrative assistant for years with no luck! After my husband left I went back to school at age 52, obtained an Associate in Business Administration, and have been unsuccessful in finding gainful employment. I had a few temporary jobs but the employees came back to work from their leaves/vacations so they were always just temporary jobs. I am told I look young for my age but it doesn't help. I obviously am over 45 which is the "over the hill age" according to many. I have tried retail jobs but I'm always told "you have no RETAIL experience". What is an older person to do?

Lani of CA 4:54PM April 11, 2010

You know, businesses are extremely careful regarding discrimination because of race or gender but when it comes to age, it's no big deal. I'm 61 and am in the job market after my position of the last 10 years was eliminated. It doesn't take long to realize that businesses are using "filters" when it comes to hiring. Why else would they make it mandatory that you give the date that you graduated from high school? Then, to meet Affirmative action "requirements" they also want to know your gender and your race. How many interviews do you think that a 61 year old white male is getting these days? Age is the one characteristic that crosses all classifications. It applies to blacks, whites, hispanics, asians, males, females, blondes, brunettes, redheads, white collar workers, blue collar workers, union members, republicans, democrats, independents and non-voters. So, why is age discrimination in the work force so pervasive and so accepted? Mainly because it doesn't apply to our senators and representatives who can serve in congress with wonderful incomes, benefits and voting privileges even when they have to be wheeled in from their death beds to make that crucial vote. The rest of us seniors have to fend for ourselves.

Charlie White of AL 12:11PM December 21, 2009

I had a 20 plus young thang mention that she felt like she was interviewing her Mother!! And thenk she had the gall to ask how I felt about working and taking orders from much younger co-workers. This was for State Farm Insurance. I am sorry that I did not report this person to the Labor Board for age discrimination. I am so fed up with the job search. And what is with these salaries. They are in the Poverty Range! Cannot get health insurance at this age. It is cost prohibitive. Where is this all going? I was thinking of cleaning homes and/or taking care of elderly people. And are there ever going to be Full Time jobs available?

Susn Shane of FL 7:48PM December 20, 2009

Here is a question I was asked at one of my recent interviews.
"So.....Ms......what are your long term career goals?" I almost wanted to
stand up and slap my interviewer into the next solar system.
You just don't want to hear such stupid things when your 60 and your interviewer is in their 20's, and you have to be out there looking for work again because you just lost your job that you have had for the last 10 yrs.

Gabrielle B of OR 8:33PM November 05, 2009