Is anyone else over 55 job hunting ?

downshifter

I desperately need to get a job as I really can't live on my current income. Since being 50 (I'm now 59) I've had 3 good jobs in my professional area. The last one was a 2 yr contract that ended on 31 Dec 09. I never believed that the 'age-thing' was true until this last bout of job hunting- I've applied for jobs which, up until a few years ago, I'm sure I wouldn't have had any problem with getting an interview. Maybe I've just been lucky but I've had no difficulty in getting professional jobs ever in the past. Or any job.

However, now I'm being rejected all over the place - the usual reason is that I'm too highly skilled and they think the job wouldn't be enough of a challenge. Or words to that effect.

Although you don't usually put your age on application forms , I'm thinking that because I must be giving it away in lots of ways, that can only be the reason. I hate to use excuses for myself but really can't think of any other reason, especially when I don't even get an interview when previously I've had no difficulty. I'm fairly good at filling in application forms, having been involved in staff appointments quite a bit in previous jobs and had training.

At the moment I work a few hours in a shop and a few more supporting people with learning disabilities, neither of which are in my professional area, but I don't mind, I'm grateful for the opportunity. Neither can offer any more hours at present. I just need a job, anywhere. I've been applying for admin jobs but nothing, even though I have good office admin/computer/reception etc experience, and there's nothing around in my professional area.

Is anyone else in the same boat and has any strategies to overcome this? I was thinking of playing down some of my earlier experience and not putting dates on school/university entries on the forms, at least to get an interview. Otherwise I'll just keep plodding on with applications, but it is so disheartening.

Thanks

DS

Agapanthus

It may not be just age - the recession may have a lot to do with this. Don't give up, though- you'll find something eventually.

Errata

Jobs are hard to find for anyone these days. Clearly your education dates give a clue to your age. If an application form requires education details with dates, leaving the dates off will only result in an application being ignored as it hasn't been filled in correctly.

Willman_Rodders

downshifter wrote: »

Since being 50 (I'm now 59) I've had 3 good jobs in my professional area. The last one was a 2 yr contract that ended on 31 Dec 09. I never believed that the 'age-thing' was true until this last bout of job hunting- I've applied for jobs which, up until a few years ago, I'm sure I wouldn't have had any problem with getting an interview. Maybe I've just been lucky but I've had no difficulty in getting professional jobs ever in the past. Or any job.

Downshifter, you have done well to get 3 jobs when over the age of 50. Many others of that age are far less successful.

There are a growing percentage of out of work 50+ people; the PrimeInitiative http://www.primeinitiative.co.uk/ - one of Prince Charles Charities - is very much aware of the difficulties the 50+ age group have and tries to offer help if you are setting up in business. Have you considered setting up your own business?

Have you tried networking your connections. I'd recommend you go back to the people you know and ask them who they know. Don't ask the people you know for a job; you are unlikely to get anywhere. But asking for their help can open unexpected doors.

And as Agapanthus says ... don't give up.

downshifter

Many thanks for the replies and encouragement. I didn't think anything of the difficulty of getting jobs once over 50 until someone else mentioned it as well as you. The last one was a bit of a fluke really, I do quite a lot of voluntary work and when I rang one charity to offer a couple of hours a week doing what I do professionally, they said if you can do more we'll pay you for it. So that was a 2 year self employed contract in the end, which has just finished. Pure chance.

As my work tends to be in the public/voluntary sector then you're right, there have been such severe cutbacks, my chances were always going to be less than a few years back.

The link you gave looks interesting and I've sent off for the pack, I hadn't heard of that scheme though had often thought it would be good if there were something like that for older people, and I am still registered as self employed.

Thanks again, feel a bit more upbeat now but would still love to know if anyone else is in the same situation.

DS

chesky369

What about trying agency work - if you fill in on a temporary basis, often the employers ask if you can go permanently.

exil

The current trend to closing final salary pensions and ending generous early retirement deals is going to make things worse as more and more 50 somethings will actually try to stay in the job market rather than retreating to the golf course or doing the gardening like the bloke in the old Pension Advert from the 90s - it featured some old codger riding a motor mower, can't remember who it was for!

Same thing applies to raising the state pension age, a process that's started already for women and will kick in for men by 2024. We'll just have more oldies competing for the same set of jobs.

pmlindyloo

My sister who is 63 was in exactly the same position as you. She also was told she was over qualified.
She just kept on applying and eventually got an interview.
I suggested that she met this 'problem' head on and when asked if she had any questions at the end of the interview, to say that she hoped they wouldn't think she was over qualified - she would be happy to take instructions from other people etc etc.
She got the job!

brewerdave

I've been made redundant 3 times in the last 10 years, the first time when I was 49.
At each stage I've been "forced" a bit further down the seniority "ladder".
After the last redundancy in June 2008 I have been unable to get anything anywhere near the field I am qualified in. The only opportunities for interview have involved vacancies in very far flung places - for instance I live in Cardiff and was offered an interview thru an agency with a company in Aberdeen!!
I actually had a "preliminary" interview with one agency late in 2008 here in South Wales where the interviewer basically told me to my face that I was too "experienced/qualified" (in other words - too old)to be put forward for any of their current vacancies.
I actually looked at Agency work but it was generally physical work on shift at minimum wage which I couldn't have coped with.
As a result I have now given up - and been forced into early retirement against my wishes. I had to take one of my Company pensions late in 2008 just to keep going, and I'm fortunate that my wife is still working and that we are mortgage free.
The 12 months after my final redundancy was probably the most depressing of my entire life. I sincerely hope that anyone who is looking for work in their late 50s has more luck than me!!

SevenOfNine

At 55 it looks like I'm about to join you in ranks of the 'past-it' job search queue. Facing a distinct probability of redundancy for the first time in my working life, not very pleasant.

Have you thought that 'temping' might be the way in to a job. Some large employers still have their own version of 'temp' registers so there aren't the same financial penalties if they want to offer the temp a permanent position that seem to exist if you go through a temp agency.

Perhaps the answer for you may be not leaving out dates, but determine what qualifications etc the jobs you're applying for actually require and leave off the rest which make you 'overqualified'. A massive shame and you shouldn't have to, but if you're being told you're overqualified...............

Employment ageism, alive and kicking despite what anyone says.

azureblue_2

I agree with all the above. I left my last job 5 years ago and, at first, most applications for another got me an interview but never the job. I began to realise I must be filling their category for ensuring equality of job opportunity without ageism, which presumably doesn't require them to actually hire an older person.
I admit to currently having given up, it is demoralising and I live on meagre means, but at least I can look the world in the eye as myself and not feel cowered by hoping for someones benevolence (because that is how I now see someone employing me would be).