Oldness: The Numbers Say it All

The Government can say yes there is work out there for over 50,s etc. They can offer incentives to employers as much as possible .But the answer will always be sorry your over experienced for this position they will never say your to old .All this experienced waisted away ,honest hard working people desperate to be given a chance . 

I have written to the PM and relevant Ministers suggesting that to counter the need for 40 interviews a month under their proposed system this could be reduced if people went through a specialized recruitment support company set up to assist with job placements. My point being that simply trying to go through Center-link puts some employers off and no one in there is really a placement expert nor committed to same. The PM replied that they will take this under advisement but on the 40 a month issue, they will make exceptions as necessary. That's going to help a lot having an undefined policy... I think Kevin Rudd's wife ran such a placement company so probably the Libs won't want to go that way... 

My anger over this is mainly because I have no interest in retiring and spending my days playing golf. And as some people have commented, no of course they will not tell you rejection is because of age. But when you know you are an expert in the field and no one could do a job better than you could and you get bypassed, it says it all. So testing this out you apply under different ages and lo and behold you suddenly find the same CV but with a younger age gets a call back. 

I want to contact someone to link an employment coordination system to the 50 UP Club. Over 50 I am browned off by the way over 50s are overlooked in the system and want to get employers wanting decent employees and those who want to work linked up. One of the problems also seems to be that the insurance rates go up as age increases and can be expensive for an employer. But Government is one of the worst offenders and the UN system also discriminates so the lead should come from them... Peter Nelson P J Nelson & Co. Pty Ltd 68 The Chase Road Turramurra NSW Australia 2074 0432651835 +61 432651835 dr_peter_nelson@yahoo.com pjnelsoncopl@gmail.com www.pjnelsonco.com Skype: peter.john.nelson 

Surely every job an older person gets means a younger person does not get his foot on the work ladder. When I retired I felt I was making way for a school leaver to get a start. Am I missing something, does employing am older person mean that a school leaver will also get a job, young people without jobs get into mischief, older people don't. PS 

PS - There appears to be a bias against older women in the workforce. The last interview I went to - unsuccessful of course - I told the HR person who asked my age: "I've lost the capacity to have babies. I haven't lost my marbles". 

I've never actually been told I'm too old on a job application or interview. The stock standard excuse is that I'm "over-qualified". What does this actually mean? Is a degree is something to be ashamed of? Will I get bored with the work offered? If I thought that, I wouldn't have applied for those particular jobs. OK, great CV, demonstrated skills over 40 years, versatile and savvy. Needless to say, I've given up on getting a steady job and now take on consultancies and freelance whenever I can. 

Try and diversify your abilities,advertise regularly and always try to do quality work. Perhaps get together with a friend who may have other skills that compliment yours. Stay flexible and remember that being a small business entity can be an advantage,keep healthy, stay positive and be ethical in your dealings. Present yourself clean, tidy and be punctual and reliable. 

Anoymous from Mackay QLD commented: I have recently been dismissed from my employment . I have found it to be very difficult trying to get a new job. During a telephone interview I was actually asked my age. Tell me that is not age discrimination? I had every desired requirement for the position and am very healthy and active. I consider this to be an insult the fact that you are wiped off the list of potential canidates before you even get a chance, just because you are considered "old". 

Leonard I have been unemployed from fulltime work since I was 47 I have tried changing career paths by doinig done several courses at TAFE and RMIT but I could only get casual work or told that I do not have enough experience in this field. Employers will not disclose their real reasons fot not hiring you even though you have qualifications. My job provider from Centrelink are jobs bankrupt they have very few jobs available for me to apply and barely any interviews ,I have to search for most jobs myself on their computers but I get very few replies from them and little or no interviews. All the provider does is mainly ask is for me to attend courses done by physiologists who wonder why I am not gettting a job. I am now doing volenteering work for Vinnies in order to have a recent work history which is ridiculous considering how long I have been in the workforce.