Interview fatigue

inmypocketnottheirs

A major problem for older folks in their mid to late 40's and beyond, is being interviewed by thirtysomethings. It's clear who has the better experience and the interviewer is reluctant to appoint on the basis the the candidate is probably better at the job than they are.

A very valid point from Northerness about family businesses and owner MD's. They are very much more likely to appoint on ability and experience.

londoner1998

Apart from the HE job, in the last interviews I have done (especially two of them), the interviewers were probably some ten years younger than me and they seemed flabbergasted at my experience. I was offered one of the jobs (declined due to the paltry salary) but not the other one and I think I know why. By no means I am claiming unfair discrimination, but I did actually think 'gosh, these guys are so young: manager? of what? How? ' The one I wasn't offered, it was pretty clear that one of the interview panel members (from the HR side) just there just for effect, because she just didn't really know about the job, and yet she does get to have a say about who they recruit. Funnily enough, I have now been called for interview. Again.
Anyway, up to them.
We can just do our best and focus on what WE have to offer, not on what they want to hear.

Ax

Kynthia

londoner1998 wrote: »

The one I wasn't offered, it was pretty clear that one of the interview panel members (from the HR side) just there just for effect, because she just didn't really know about the job, and yet she does get to have a say about who they recruit.
Ax

Where I work often has an independant panel member or a member of HR on the interview panel along with those who work on the team with the vacancy. This is good because they are usually experienced in recruitment campaigns which the other members of the panel might not be. They are knowledgable on recruitment law, ensuring no discrimination, and on company policies, along with knowing HR and staff managment questions, etc. Also they are usually good at ensuring the best person is offered the job, particularly if there are any internal applicants, so that the process is seen to be fair.

Northerness

Kynthia wrote: »

Where I work often has an independant panel member or a member of HR on the interview panel along with those who work on the team with the vacancy. This is good because they are usually experienced in recruitment campaigns which the other members of the panel might not be. They are knowledgable on recruitment law, ensuring no discrimination, and on company policies, along with knowing HR and staff managment questions, etc. Also they are usually good at ensuring the best person is offered the job, particularly if there are any internal applicants, so that the process is seen to be fair.

There have been a few HR Officers sitting in some of my interviews - I always got the impression that they are there simply as a matter of formality and leave the decision on suitability to the hiring manager - which is often where the problem lies.

The sort of discrimination implied in this thread isn't open or obvious (at least in my experience) - and nothing 'illegal' has ever been said in any of my interviews. It's more a case of some of us speculating that hiring managers may prefer lesser experienced /younger candidates etc because it suits them and makes them feel less threatened - rather than because the alternate person they chose is better matched to the person specification.

It's not even to say this alleged behaviour is malicious or calculated, perhaps it's a survival instinct for a line manager to employ someone maleable - someone who they can also be sure isn't going to perform better than they do. Maybe they don't even know they're doing it and instinctively feel more comfortable in the company of these kind of candidates.

gardenia101

I'm so glad things have worked out for you Northernlass - & I've hopefully stumbled across your thread at the right time to help stop me getting so disheartened.

Just about to fill in two more application forms, but before I read this I would have been doing it with a heavy heart, fully expecting not to get either job. Feeling more upbeat now after reading some good news & hoping this positivity somehow wafts through my forms!

The part I struggle with most has been the constant rejection (& I'm in a different situation in that I'm medically unable to do my old profession, so I'm having to apply for jobs I've no direct experience in - hardly suprising I get rejected ). But the comments about this, & feedback, have helped me to see that it isn't so personal, & I just have to keep on applying. Some excellent advice on here, so thanks.

ETA - completely agree with comments about the jobcentre. Staff are pleasant & encouraging, but haven't helped me personally at all. They can offer CV help, but no specialised help in trying to sell myself better in a job I have no experience of doing, or how to put a positive spin on my health problem. One man has been honest enough to say that they can't really do anything for people like me - while I appreciate his honesty, it is a little depressing sometimes! Some mentoring would be grand - I have no family & my friends all work, so sometimes it does get quite frustrating that they don't really understand what it is like to be suddenly unemployed & unemplyable. Not that I'd want them to be in my situation IYKWIM. At least on here there are others who "get it" & understand, & for that I'm thankful.