Why is it when a person gets a little over 50 its hard to find employment?

Question

Or at least it seems that way in my case. Even though I am qualified for many positions I apply for, I never hear back from the application or interview. I am healthy, I can work as well or better than people half my age. I know employers are not suppose to discriminate about age, but I think they have ways around it. What do you think?

Answer 1

Joe, I have gone through the same thing. You will constantly hear the phrase "you are over qualified" which means "you are too old". It is tough to find a job in the same field as which you have experience for employers want the younger people, they figure less health problems, can pay less, longer employment, etc. I finally just switched fields and found employment. I was in the beverage industry for 25 years and now I am in the appliance industry, of course in between I sold cars, mattresses and telemarketing but at least I had a job. Good luck "old timer", by the way I am now in my sixties.

Answer 2

I think that your right to some extend. However, there are those employers who do appreciate an older work force The trick is in finding one.

You have a great deal to offer an employer,some things that some younger people do not have. That is not to say young people are not qualified or do not work hard.

Follwing attributes

1. More reliable;
2. Bring experience to a job;
3. Life time skills;
4. More flexible approach to work;
5. Transferrable skills;
6. Good communication skills.
The list is endless.

Could it be that you are not targeting the right type of employer. Try and find out if a potential employer discriminates against the older person. Ask at the job centre they're pretty shrewd at finding out these sort of things for you.

Does your (CV) Curriculum Vitae do you justice? Could it be that your not selling youself properly on your CV. A well laid out CV with one that shows your skills and experience is worth it's wait in gold and you would definetly benefit from having an up-to-date CV.

I would go along to either the Job centre or the Careers Service where you live. Often the job centre will run cv workshops and will help you with writing a CV, as will the Careers service.

It should be a CV that you are happy with. Though it should be well laid out and well presented. No more than two pages long....yawn factor creeps in after two pages. If an employer requires further info he can always ask

I would always recommend that you should include a short profile about yourself a third of the way down the paper so it catches the eye of an employer.

Do not include your date of birth on a CV, or that you are married and have 3.1 children. An employer only needs to look at your work history and dates of employment to work out how old you are..no point in broadcasting it

One last point if an employer asks you if you are willing to learn new skills always reply in the affirmative.

I do hope this helps and good luck with the job search.

PS Have you considered putting your name down for angency work. It can be a foot in a door that leads to better things.

Answer 3

The Age old concept of Ageism/ people believe younger people can just do a better job and work for longer (More hours, and More Years) and be a more valuable asset to the organization/ better investment (As they can also be expected to work for less MONEY (and that is usually the main reason, and be realistic at your age you don't want to start at the bottom and earn what some newbie would) and do more work in proportion to the pay they recieve)

Younger people are also much more needy and much more impressionable and although this may not be truth: employers feel they will pick things up such as training much quicker and take more kindly to orders from their superiors etc...

In Short, Employers tend to be very selfish and practical people, that's how they got where they are. As you age everything becomes harder. If employers weren't of the mentality that age was an issue there wouldn't be a retirement age.

Answer 4

Unfortunately employers do discriminate as they are looking for longevity in employees. Also there is the preconceived notion that you can't teach an old dog new tricks!

Can I give you a tip? ...... These days you are not required to state your age on your resume.... I would omit that part... and see how you go. That way you may at least get to more interviews.

If you are getting to the interviews and getting rejected... think about your responses to their questions. Do you always respond in the same way? Perhaps you need to rethink how you should answer some of the questions... do you convey that you are up with latest technologies, that you are flexible and open to new ideas and changes. Do you convey that you are still trying to further develop your skills and that you still have a vision for where you want to go? These are all things that younger people bring to interviews and that you are competing against.

Answer 5

I have worked in quite a number of call centres throughout my life Im in my low 30s now but many call centres use only temps these days and I can tell you they have no problems in hiring older staff - the average time in a call centre is 5 years and then people leave - however the turnover in call centres is usually really high and the people who leave are younger people - usually the older people stay on - It costs on average $10,000 to train a call centre operator (here in AUS in the Gas and Electricity field or Telephone field) so they really do prefer people who will hang around for more than a couple of months - I have no idea where your expertise lies but its an idea... Check out the temp agencies in your area.

One other idea for you - we have a mechanics business and we are actually after an older person (maybe semi retired) who wants to work part time hours and the occasional full time hours when we are busy to help out - older people are generally more stable - they have a great work ethic (unlike todays teens who want to be paid heaps and do nothing for it) its just unfortunate that at this time we can not afford to put on any person over 25 full time at this time as the wages jump dramatically at that age.. :(

Anyway good luck in finding the right job for you - dont give up hope :)

Answer 6

It is discrimination, and the usual explanation is that it's discrimination against old people

Note that Joel is male. Even young males have a terrible time finding work today. it is absolute discrimination by almost all large corporations against all males, young or old. Though women still don't have to register for Selective Service, they do get real special treatment in employment.

Note we have not had a highly qualified 50 year old woman complaining she can't find anything at all.

Enough of this evil discrimination and then blaming the men themselves for their problems.


We have made the decision as a society to discriminate against men. At least lets be honest and admit what we are doing.

Answer 7

i think that ive heard this question before.

it isnt fair and you should just address it when you go to interviews. You should just put it out on the table. Tell them you know you are older, and it isnt an issue. Tell them you are qualified and have a solid understanding of the field and the work environment. stress how many years of experience and tell them about the skills and wisdom you have to offer, and how thats an edge in a competetive world.

say whatever you think is best a long those lines because legally, no they cant discriminate, but yes they will. they probably dont call you back because they cant think of a legal reason to say why you didnt get hired.

Answer 8

First of all, its hard for ANYBODY to get a job..not just those over 50. Secondly, I think employers would rather invest their time in a younger person because they are easier to train..as one gets older, they get set in their ways, employers worry about health problems leading to missed work days and then there is retirement...how long will aperson over 50 stay?

Not all employers are like this..and its not fair or right, its just the way it is.

BTW: My dads employer just up and shut down shop with no notice...he was 61, and he found a job the next day (hes a truck driver) so there is hope!

Answer 9

Well There should be no problem with age. My man is hitting 50 and has landed a great job because of his knowledge and he has a lots of energy and works very hard - long hours. Your resume shouldn't even have your age on it. The only way they should know for sure how old you are is at the the interview and first impression should be how your present yourself on how comfortable you are with the position. So its not you. Just be confident with your self. Good luck!

Answer 10

I've had some parents of friends who had the same problems. I think it's all mentality on the employers part. They want someone new, young, able to hustle, less jaded, more up with technology and more adaptive and willing to adjust to change. But bottom line, less experience equals lower wages.