Comments on: 46 Percent of Older Workers Found Work in the Past Three Months http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/ Jobs Careers for Experienced Workers, Baby Boomers, Retirees Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:35:56 +0000 hourly 1 By: Carol Kimbrell http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-262 Carol Kimbrell Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:50:31 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-262 Thank you for providing this type of forum for us to share our experiences. I am 58 and have a mixed two year degree in business & medical neither of which I was able to finish, I have a general associates degree. I tried to go back to school to finish my degree in education. I have so frustrated and frightened that I had to quite school and keep putting in resumes in areas that I feel I could perform in. I am a dumb person, but don’t have the educational credentials to get in the door. I am going to be on my last round of unemployment in a few weeks and if I don’t land a job by I am out in the wild. Thank you for providing this type of forum for us to share our experiences. I am 58 and have a mixed two year degree in business & medical neither of which I was able to finish, I have a general associates degree. I tried to go back to school to finish my degree in education. I have so frustrated and frightened that I had to quite school and keep putting in resumes in areas that I feel I could perform in. I am a dumb person, but don’t have the educational credentials to get in the door. I am going to be on my last round of unemployment in a few weeks and if I don’t land a job by I am out in the wild.

]]> By: Maynard Masters http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-261 Maynard Masters Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:32:51 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-261 I am 64 and have co-owned our own business for fourteen years. I am trriny to get back into the emploee market aas the business can no longer support us. I am constantly forward resume through Career Builder and being turned down. In almost all cases I fully meet the agencies requirements plus. The problem after adding the years of college and other employment, the prospective employer has no doubt what my age is. Even the federal government discriminated against me on age. I am 64 and have co-owned our own business for fourteen years. I am trriny to get back into the emploee market aas the business can no longer support us. I am constantly forward resume through Career Builder and being turned down. In almost all cases I fully meet the agencies requirements plus. The problem after adding the years of college and other employment, the prospective employer has no doubt what my age is. Even the federal government discriminated against me on age.

]]> By: Derrick Phillips,Sr. http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-260 Derrick Phillips,Sr. Sat, 01 Aug 2009 23:06:58 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-260 Remember: Older workers comes to work on time, early, leaves late, more efficient, more organized and work weekends. That is why older workers with experience is best to hire than younger workers and your COMPANY stays in business and the profit is huge. Remember: Older workers comes to work on time, early, leaves late, more efficient, more organized and work weekends. That is why older workers with experience is best to hire than younger workers and your COMPANY stays in business and the profit is huge.

]]> By: Derrick Phillips,Sr. http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-259 Derrick Phillips,Sr. Sat, 01 Aug 2009 22:47:36 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-259 I'm 61+ laid off since Jan,2009.E-mail/faxed over 100 resumes and went on several interviews no luck. Employers/HR are young and have no feelings for older people.Employers wants to hire younger people, inexperience and pay less, they don't realize that the younger people wants to party, comes in late, leave early, call in sick too often, make too many costly mistakes,the company loses money, customers unhappy with their orders by shipping wrong items, training cost time and money etc; etc; Employers have to start opening their eyes now! Something has to be done NOW! I’m 61+ laid off since Jan,2009.E-mail/faxed over 100 resumes and went on several interviews no luck. Employers/HR are young and have no feelings for older people.Employers wants to hire younger people, inexperience and pay less, they don’t realize that the younger people wants to party, comes in late, leave early, call in sick too often, make too many costly mistakes,the company loses money, customers unhappy with their orders by shipping wrong items, training cost time and money etc; etc;
Employers have to start opening their eyes now!
Something has to be done NOW!

]]> By: Sharon Busby http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-258 Sharon Busby Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:37:19 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-258 I am approaching age 59 and was laid off in September of 2007. I had some good interviews but no one hired me. I finally got on with the school district but had to take a cut in pay and no benefits. I am raising both of my granddaughters and it has really been a struggle - the older generation needs to be taken care of. We are more dependable and hard working than most and we deserve to have a job too. Is that too much to ask for??? We also need health care that we can afford. I can't get any health insurance because I am 58 and overweight according to their charts. This is discrimination too - I am healthy - but that doesn't count for anything. I am discouraged by all the discrimination due to age and weight and all of us older folks need to stand together and fight for our rights!!!! I am approaching age 59 and was laid off in September of 2007. I had some
good interviews but no one hired me. I finally got on with the school district but had to take a cut in pay and no benefits. I am raising both of my granddaughters and it has really been a struggle – the older generation needs to be taken care of. We are more dependable and hard working than most and we deserve to have a job too. Is that too much to ask for??? We also need health care that we can afford. I can’t get any health insurance because I am 58 and overweight according to their charts. This is discrimination too – I am healthy – but that doesn’t count for anything. I am discouraged by all the discrimination due to age and weight and all of us older folks need to stand together and fight for our rights!!!!

]]> By: Cindy http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-257 Cindy Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:04:28 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-257 I owned a housekeeping business for 20 years. I have had many different jobs in my lifetime, but they only want to know the last 10 years of work history so that eliminates everything other than cleaning houses. In my line of work I feel I could be an asset to any hotel chain as a houskeeper or even in housekeeping management as I have extensive experience in cleaning and managing. Unfortunately, hotel cleaning is considered a different kind of cleaning (we all know that by staying in some) and since I don't have recent experience in hotel cleaning I don't qualify. Even if I did qualify in the cleaning department I whould have to be bilingual. I think it is a bunch of crap that in order for me to get a job in my own country I have to be able to speak spanish. TALK ABOUT DISCRIMINATION!!! I owned a housekeeping business for 20 years. I have had many different jobs in my lifetime, but they only want to know the last 10 years of work history so that eliminates everything other than cleaning houses. In my line of work I feel I could be an asset to any hotel chain as a houskeeper or even in housekeeping management as I have extensive experience in cleaning and managing. Unfortunately, hotel cleaning is considered a different kind of cleaning (we all know that by staying in some) and since I don’t have recent experience in hotel cleaning I don’t qualify. Even if I did qualify in the cleaning department I whould have to be bilingual. I think it is a bunch of crap that in order for me to get a job in my own country I have to be able to speak spanish. TALK ABOUT DISCRIMINATION!!!

]]> By: Steve http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-256 Steve Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:09:38 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-256 I'm 51 and have been looking for delivery, warehouse or customer service jobs for over a year. I currently work as an independent delivery contractor which means low pay and a lot of wear and tear on my car. I agree with the others that you rarely get an response from companies, much less an interview especially if the application asks for your birthdate. One phone interviewer asked me what year I graduated from high school as a way of getting around the age question. I've also been asked what my high school grades were, which seeems like a stupid question for someone over about 20, much less one over 50. I'm also sure that with a college degree I'm often labeled "overqualified." I agree that we should all work together to demand government at all levels do a better job of enforcing age discrimination laws and would participate in a "Million Person March." I’m 51 and have been looking for delivery, warehouse or customer service jobs for over a year. I currently work as an independent delivery contractor which means low pay and a lot of wear and tear on my car. I agree with the others that you rarely get an response from companies, much less an interview especially if the application asks for your birthdate. One phone interviewer asked me what year I graduated from high school as a way of getting around the age question. I’ve also been asked what my high school grades were, which seeems like a stupid question for someone over about 20, much less one over 50. I’m also sure that with a college degree I’m often labeled “overqualified.” I agree that we should all work together to demand government at all levels do a better job of enforcing age discrimination laws and would participate in a “Million Person March.”

]]> By: Daylea http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-255 Daylea Sun, 26 Jul 2009 06:02:51 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-255 I am 60 as of last Friday! I decided to say in my cover letter what I was looking for and what I can do since what the heck! I told them I was old-school with manners! That I was 35 in my mind and energy and 60 in experience and wisdom! Guess what I got the job! As the HR person said I was creative and not cookie-cutter! So say what you feel you want someone to know I did and it worked for me! Good Luck to all of you, there is nothing lost in telling what you are good at and what you have to offer!! I am 60 as of last Friday! I decided to say in my cover letter what I was looking for and what I can do since what the heck! I told them I was old-school with manners! That I was 35 in my mind and energy and 60 in experience and wisdom! Guess what I got the job! As the HR person said I was creative and not cookie-cutter! So say what you feel you want someone to know I did and it worked for me! Good Luck to all of you, there is nothing lost in telling what you are good at and what you have to offer!!

]]> By: Cynthia http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-254 Cynthia Sun, 26 Jul 2009 01:29:11 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-254 I was laid off 18 months ago and have since been trying to get another job. Even though I don't look my age (73) and am in perfect health, it seems that my age is against my chances of being hired. I have excellent computer and communication skills and any company should be glad to have me as a reliable, experienced and hard working employee. It is unfortunate, but I can no longer afford to be without a steady income. By the way, I do have a high credit score. I was laid off 18 months ago and have since been trying to get another job. Even though I don’t look my age (73) and am in perfect health, it seems that my age is against my chances of being hired. I have excellent computer and communication skills and any company should be glad to have me as a reliable, experienced and hard working employee. It is unfortunate, but I can no longer afford to be without a steady income. By the way, I do have a high credit score.

]]> By: KT http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-253 KT Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:55:22 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-253 For those of you who have been unemployed a while and have given permission for background checks, be aware that your credit score may be why you haven't been contacted. Someone in my employment support group finally found out that his below-700 score was the reason a previously interested recruiter suddenly stopped calling. Hard for some to maintain a good credit score when they've been out of work more than a year... catch 22. For those of you who have been unemployed a while and have given permission for background checks, be aware that your credit score may be why you haven’t been contacted. Someone in my employment support group finally found out that his below-700 score was the reason a previously interested recruiter suddenly stopped calling. Hard for some to maintain a good credit score when they’ve been out of work more than a year… catch 22.

]]> By: Lorrie http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-252 Lorrie Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:08:20 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-252 Just my little two cents worth...I'm approaching 57 in August and am a "displaced housewife". I was a stay-at-home slave and now divorced with clerical/graphic skills out the wazoo, a secretarial background in oil, ag and education. I used to get hired "on the spot". I'm still thin, fit and not too hard on the eyes (I'm told) and here I am over a year later still looking. I'm thinking it's not your weight or looks. I believe age is a major factor and have seen it proven on...I believe...60 Minutes (or one of those) sometime back. If you're over 40....you're doomed! Just my little two cents worth…I’m approaching 57 in August and am a “displaced housewife”. I was a stay-at-home slave and now divorced with clerical/graphic skills out the wazoo, a secretarial background in oil, ag and education. I used to get hired “on the spot”. I’m still thin, fit and not too hard on the eyes (I’m told) and here I am over a year later still looking. I’m thinking it’s not your weight or looks. I believe age is a major factor and have seen it proven on…I believe…60 Minutes (or one of those) sometime back. If you’re over 40….you’re doomed!

]]> By: Sheryll http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-251 Sheryll Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:04:53 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-251 I am 54 and have been laid off since Sept 25, 2008. I was told I have too much experience and they think they will have to pay me too much so I don't even get interviews. I was told to dumb down my resume.????? I guess experience and expertise is a bad thing now. I am 54 and have been laid off since Sept 25, 2008. I was told I have too much experience and they think they will have to pay me too much so I don’t even get interviews. I was told to dumb down my resume.????? I guess experience and expertise is a bad thing now.

]]> By: Mike http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-250 Mike Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:46:09 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-250 Age discrimination is a reality, but I'm afraid there's nothing we can do about it. A march on Washington? What will it do? Force these 30-something CEO's and HR managers to hire us? I think not. Entice the government to create new jobs exclusively for those 50 and over? Yeah, right. I've always been an optimist, but since being downsized and replaced by a minority woman, 20 years my junior with a little over one year experience in the field, having flooded the internet with my resume to no avail and having done all the social networking to no effect, I find myself becoming more and more pessimistic every day. These articles are intended to make us senior workers see light at the end of the tunnel. But they are obviously written by people who have no idea what's really going on. I mean, they have jobs don't they? It's like a priest trying to give marriage advice. Seeing the similar responses from all of you REAL people about the awful predicament we're in doesn't brighten my mood, but it does reinforce to me that I am not alone in this mess! Right on! Age discrimination is a reality, but I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do about it. A march on Washington? What will it do? Force these 30-something CEO’s and HR managers to hire us? I think not. Entice the government to create new jobs exclusively for those 50 and over? Yeah, right. I’ve always been an optimist, but since being downsized and replaced by a minority woman, 20 years my junior with a little over one year experience in the field, having flooded the internet with my resume to no avail and having done all the social networking to no effect, I find myself becoming more and more pessimistic every day. These articles are intended to make us senior workers see light at the end of the tunnel. But they are obviously written by people who have no idea what’s really going on. I mean, they have jobs don’t they? It’s like a priest trying to give marriage advice. Seeing the similar responses from all of you REAL people about the awful predicament we’re in doesn’t brighten my mood, but it does reinforce to me that I am not alone in this mess! Right on!

]]> By: Tom http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-249 Tom Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:01:51 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-249 I've been out of work since Jan. 2009, aged 58, and share all your troubles and concerns with much the same experiences. My last company, during a sales meeting, held an HR seminar and shared info from an outside resource that indicated the different work ethics by generations. Guess what, folks, we WON! Ours is considered the most responsible, the most serviceable, the most loyal, and hardest working of all generations in the work force today. Many HR depts. have this info, yet choose to ignore it in favor of the implied savings by newer generations. The last person I hired was a man of 50, who replaced a 24 year old who refused to do his job. Productivity from that position was raised 150%. I keep trying now, as I feel sooner or later someone will talk to me that shares this knowledge. I’ve been out of work since Jan. 2009, aged 58, and share all your troubles and concerns with much the same experiences. My last company, during a sales meeting, held an HR seminar and shared info from an outside resource that indicated the different work ethics by generations. Guess what, folks, we WON! Ours is considered the most responsible, the most serviceable, the most loyal, and hardest working of all generations in the work force today. Many HR depts. have this info, yet choose to ignore it in favor of the implied savings by newer generations. The last person I hired was a man of 50, who replaced a 24 year old who refused to do his job. Productivity from that position was raised 150%. I keep trying now, as I feel sooner or later someone will talk to me that shares this knowledge.

]]> By: Bill http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-248 Bill Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:53:48 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-248 Another note, I guess I have to stop crying in my beer...(can't afford the Scotch any longer!), I am going on 73 this year, work because I love it, got layed off in April. Of course before that I did not work for over a year.... I keep on plugging every day... two hours pouring over jobs, rewriting resume's and cover letters then spend three to five hours learning something new in my field. I WILL GET WORK BEFORE THIS YEAR IS OUT... I will, I will I will, I.... Another note, I guess I have to stop crying in my beer…(can’t afford the Scotch any longer!), I am going on 73 this year, work because I love it, got layed off in April. Of course before that I did not work for over a year…. I keep on plugging every day… two hours pouring over jobs, rewriting resume’s and cover letters then spend three to five hours learning something new in my field. I WILL GET WORK BEFORE THIS YEAR IS OUT… I will, I will I will, I….

]]> By: Bill http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-247 Bill Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:50:21 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-247 Folks, look up the law, it is not ilegal for an employer to ask you your age, in fact they have to know it in order to comply with eeoc. However, and this is the catch, it is ilegal for them not to hire you because of your age.... sorta catch 22 Folks, look up the law, it is not ilegal for an employer to ask you your age, in fact they have to know it in order to comply with eeoc. However, and this is the catch, it is ilegal for them not to hire you because of your age…. sorta catch 22

]]> By: laurie http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-246 laurie Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:57:59 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-246 Age discrimination is running rampant, and it seems as if you're over the age, or look over the age of approximately 35, you're a "no" in most employers eyes. It truly is a shame that they don't realize the expertise, stability, and loyalty that we bring, that they are missing out on for someone younger, who may - in the short term, be a bit cheaper, but realistically, the younger folks do not have NEAR the work ethic that we 'older' folks possess (I'm 45). This is precisely why this world is in such poor shape, and we have so many companies in the 'customer service hall of SHAME'. Many of the younger folks have no clue how to treat people, and they don't understand that if it weren't for the customer, they wouldn't have a job! To Ben (# 51): It is illegal for a prospective employer to ask your age. And to get around the 'birthdate' question on the application, all you must do is list the month, and day, NOT the year ;). I was offered / accepted a job after doing exactly this :). Good luck to all, I know it's rough out here, it took me 6 months to get an offer (and I got the "you're overqualified" thing, many times). Age discrimination is running rampant, and it seems as if you’re over the age, or look over the age of approximately 35, you’re a “no” in most employers eyes.

It truly is a shame that they don’t realize the expertise, stability, and loyalty that we bring, that they are missing out on for someone younger, who may – in the short term, be a bit cheaper, but realistically, the younger folks do not have NEAR the work ethic that we ‘older’ folks possess (I’m 45). This is precisely why this world is in such poor shape, and we have so many companies in the ‘customer service hall of SHAME’. Many of the younger folks have no clue how to treat people, and they don’t understand that if it weren’t for the customer, they wouldn’t have a job!

To Ben (# 51): It is illegal for a prospective employer to ask your age. And to get around the ‘birthdate’ question on the application, all you must do is list the month, and day, NOT the year ;) .

I was offered / accepted a job after doing exactly this :) .

Good luck to all, I know it’s rough out here, it took me 6 months to get an offer (and I got the “you’re overqualified” thing, many times).

]]> By: Christine http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-245 Christine Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:30:03 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-245 The name of our group/movement/ platform, whatever we want to call it could be "Oldies but Goodies" because, I for one, think we get better with age in every way. We are not disposable like everything else in the country and we are not ready to roll over and play dead either. The name of our group/movement/ platform, whatever we want to call it could be “Oldies but Goodies” because, I for one, think we get better with age in every way. We are not disposable like everything else in the country and we are not ready to roll over and play dead either.

]]> By: Christine http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-244 Christine Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:14:14 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-244 Not that this is going to make anyone feel better but I feel better knowing that I am not the only one out there that these things are happening to. I am 56 and have been laid off since January 2009. I have 28+ years in the administrative field. I went on my "3rd" interview today "ironically" at the local unemployment office because they need more people to help other people find jobs. They are hiring due to Obama stimulus jobs. Good pay but of course they have a stack of applications sitting on their desk and can pick and choose whomever they want. I think the interview went well but I won't be surprised if I don't get called for a second interview. I agree that it's time to band together and take whatever steps are necessary to be heard. Count me in! However, talk is cheap, so someone has to take the bull by the horns and make a plan. Let's do this NOW as we are not getting any younger. I am willing to do my part as long as I know what that is. With all of the educated people on this site, surely someone can step up to the plate a formulate a plan of action. We need to make our worth known. Not that this is going to make anyone feel better but I feel better knowing that I am not the only one out there that these things are happening to. I am 56 and have been laid off since January 2009. I have 28+ years in the administrative field. I went on my “3rd” interview today “ironically” at the local unemployment office because they need more people to help other people find jobs. They are hiring due to Obama stimulus jobs. Good pay but of course they have a stack of applications sitting on their desk and can pick and choose whomever they want. I think the interview went well but I won’t be surprised if I don’t get called for a second interview. I agree that it’s time to band together and take whatever steps are necessary to be heard. Count me in! However, talk is cheap, so someone has to take the bull by the horns and make a plan. Let’s do this NOW as we are not getting any younger. I am willing to do my part as long as I know what that is. With all of the educated people on this site, surely someone can step up to the plate a formulate a plan of action.
We need to make our worth known.

]]> By: Susan Hintzen http://www.primecb.com/46-percent-of-older-workers-found-work-in-the-past-three-months/#comment-243 Susan Hintzen Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:51:38 +0000 http://www.primecb.com/?p=466#comment-243 I'm 59 and have been looking for a job for 11 months in the accounting / bookkeeping field. I send out resumes but do not even get nibbles. I'm so frustrated I’m 59 and have been looking for a job for 11 months in the accounting / bookkeeping field. I send out resumes but do not even get nibbles.
I’m so frustrated

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