5 Things to Know About Job Openings and Hiring

Reader Comments
Back to blog

I think it's people who have more of an external locus of control that blame their age for not being hired. I'm sorry but its not any easier being 28 with a master's degree in this job market.I have been looking for work for 10 months now and my 5 years of experience is hard to match up against your 30 years. I don't fit into any of the protected classes so I can't cry discrimination, I just have to keep applying and applying and hope that someone says yes!! It's a tough economy right now so make sure you know why you aren't getting hired before you cry age discrimination. If your theory was correct I would be sitting in a plush corner office right now and not sending out hundreds of resume every month.

Brooke W of FL 10:24PM April 12, 2010

I agree with Betnylee of NC.

MHK of CA 6:56PM October 05, 2009

Virgil?
You have been out of work for 3 years,how do you survive?
Im unemployed now and have been for 6 months...I think I will
get extended benefits though.
Any advice?

Joe of KS 8:37AM September 18, 2009

most companies,arent giving companies,their taking companies,the days of giving to employees is gone for most people, now companies,find the cheapest insurance,high deductibles,or co-pays,and they dont give out RAISES unless YOUask for one,and then by the time you get it the cost of living has goneup,so where did your raise go? .10 .25 .40 do the math, then they EXPECT you to do MORE, for your RAISE,what a JOKE. In fact it feels like they only CARE about FILLING the CUSTOMERS ORDER. TALK about Appreciation for all your hard work, who says China is the only place you can find a sweatshop.

joe of Ohio of OH 7:30PM September 04, 2009

I have to disagree with those who say that they are discriminated against because of their age. Do you honestly think that the younger generation doesn't have this same problem? Everyone has made assumptions of the newest generation in the workplace, that they are spoiled, only there for the money, and not committed. The older work force looks down at us and thinks that we aren't capable of anything.
I know several people who have been discriminated for being young, I included. I went to my first job ready to start and excited, only to be asked by the older generation of workers "are you even old enough to be here" and "you'll never make it, the young ones don't, especially the young women". Everyday I had to prove myself. Now with a company that is primarily older, I still feel the discrimination. I hear the comments they make about "those young kids". So you think we were spoiled; you believe that we aren't there to stay but just to get a better job, I get that. But don't go crying and saying that you are being discriminated against for your old age when young people are coming into jobs and being expected to change their ways to fit the company; older employees not understanding or appreciating their work effort. Different doesn't mean bad; get the chip off your shoulder and realize in today's workforce the discrimination goes both ways.

Betnylee of NC 4:02PM September 04, 2009

I really sympathize with the former workers who are unable to locate employment due to their age. Awhile back, my entire department was let go because "our jobs were being eliminated." All of us were over 40. Many did have past health issues. The average time at the company was approximately 15 years. Before we were even out the door, my company replaced us with many more workers than they "eliminated," changed the "job title" (but the job duties remained the same), and raised the beginning salary for the new employees by several thousand dollars a year. The average age of the new hires was 22. The average age of the new managers making the hiring decisions: 27. Was this an economic move by my former company to save money? Obviously not.
Trying to find a job when you are 60 years old and have a masters degree has been...well, let's just say that I had to start laughing about it, because my other choice was to be committed to an insane asylum. Recruiters were condescending. Interviewing managers were intimidated by my education. Their faces indicated that they thought something must be horribly wrong with me if I was applying for a job with them. It never occurred to them that something could have been horribly wrong with my former company (and, of course, it's hiring suicide to trash your former company during an interview).
Is a lot of the workforce "unfair" to older workers? Oh, yes. Do they get away with ignoring or dismissing older workers? Oh, yes. Is this the policy of their companies? Oh, no. Most companies go overboard with advertising "their commitment to diversity", and older workers are protected by the federal government. However, it still comes down to the prejudice of individuals who are in that position of power to make hiring decisions: HR, hiring managers, recruiters. And these people need to start doing some serious self examination to see if they are, indeed, guilty of age prejudice. Are they afraid the older worker is "smarter" or "wiser" than they are, and the older worker is viewed as competition? Did they have an issue with "dear old Dad" & they are still carrying around some old baggage? Whatever...if they are indeed carrying prejudices, it needs to be stopped.
Blogs like this reinforce my beliefs that someone, something, somewhere, needs to take some action. I refuse to apologize for my education and my work ethic. Maybe I'm "old fashioned", but I thought those attributes made you a more desirable employee.
Thank goodness I'm close to social security. My 401K is gone. I've taken an $8 per hour job with no benefits with a non-profit company, and I love it! I love the people. I love that I no longer have to grind my teeth when I read that our unbeloved CEO just received a $1.2 million dollar bonus for a job well done (huh?) Maybe my former company actually did me a favor...

Nell of TX 2:43PM September 04, 2009

Many employers also check your credit as well. I am a domestic violence victim, and had been at home self employed for many years to raise my children. I have bad credit from my ex not paying the bills. Our abuser does not pay us anything. I was able to get 2 part time jobs, however it is not enough to support my kids and I. I have applied for so many jobs only to find that they choose someone else. I am young healthy and a good worker, but it doesn't seem to matter. Then when you have to get help from the state they treat you like you are a lowlife or loser.

Kat of CA 12:01PM September 04, 2009

I am in my late 50's and I agree that there is a great age discrimination by employers. I had experienced this with lots of companies and hiring agencies which I am in contact with. It is unfair that they will judge you by the age though US claimed and employers claimed that they have the EEO policy. It is a typical hypocrisy on the labor force. Not all matured older person means that they have hidden illnesses. I myself never had flu, never miss a day of work even when my kids had been sick caused I make sure that there will be someone that will be able to take care of them so that I don't miss a day of work. Now that I am divorced and no more kids to take care of but myself, it had occured to me that with my 30 years of great work background maintained hard work and always been a high contributor to my employers with loyalty I belived that the age is the big issue and reason why mostly of this employers won't even re-consider me for employment. I am not a drinker nor smoker, never had seen doctors for any flu or cold or any illnesses, how do I justify this to all this employers. I don't want to be in welfare, I just wanted to work and earn a decent income so that I do not have to depend on others such as families and friends. I worked hard enough to be able to support my ex-husband and children so that they get enough education and that they all are now successful carrer women so now is the time that I have to take care of myself but it seemed that now it's harder for me to find a career which I am more than ever willing to commit myself caused I have the time and energy and willing to learn more and grow. Why do we feel like we have to be isolated and discriminated. What really is Equal Employment Opportunity? With my recent interviews as soon as they found out my age one of the recruiter even said I looked too young for my age. She had told me that I definitely am fitted for the position and as soon as she found out my age her tone of voice had changed and I never heard from her again. It's awful feeling and I do guarantee that it's an Age discrimination.I hope that when they reach my age that they do not get treated that way. My sympathy to those who discriminate age caused their parents had been there for them too. Please let us hear the truth.

Penn L. of IL of IL 8:42AM September 04, 2009

I have experienced this myself. You are actively seeking work, have a good work history, but because you are not currently employed, you might as well be radioactive.

Richie of IL 8:26AM September 04, 2009

I agree with the 62 year old. There is not suppose to be age discrimination but there certainly is. We found someone who is more qualified is the excuse I hear the most even though it is not true. I have a Ph.D. and you can't get more qualified than that. I found that you do not put anything in your resume that would indicate your age, but you still have to do the interview which is where they will get you. You can't win for losing.

Virgil of MN 8:06AM September 04, 2009