I know this subject is not new.. I wrote about it before from my personal experiences once I retired and made the decision to attempt to get back in the workplace. It is difficult for the over 50 crowd to land a job. For whatever reason the over 50 person is on the market for a job – it does not matter – it is tough out there. I speak of this from experience…
Why is it? I see it in 3 reasons:
- You are way to overqualified for this position. I have heard that one so much that I just can’t see straight. I have a very good response to that situation. Yes, I am overqualified to some degree. I am not looking to replace the job that I retired from. I am looking for a position that I am extremely passionate about that I can continue to learn, grow and share my experiences with. I will be a fast learner and will be up to speed quickly. The hiring manager usually goes a few different directions after that.
- Your salary history can be a big show-stopper. I was told on more than a few occasions that, “I can afford you.” We had not discussed my salary needs or wants. Each time, I have told them, “I have made a very good living. I am not looking to keep up my salary structure as the jobs I am applying for, does not warrant that pay. I ask only for a fair wage for the position that I have applied for.”
- You will get bored and leave. Another one that usually gets me a bit put off. Many jobs have tasks that are within them that are boring. I get it! I like to put the challenge on me to make even the most boring of tasks, exciting. Turn it in a game or just look for different ways to do the tasks. A younger person is going to get just a bored with the job, if that job is as boring as the manager says.
- Afraid to hire person because the fear of the manager losing their job to the person they hired. From experience, the hiring manager was doing her initial interview and asking a lot of great questions. I was on fire. It was a job that I did before with a different company. I had plenty of examples to share. Watching the managers face demonstrated to me, that I was hitting most of what they are seeing today in their workplace environment. I had examples of ways to combat the issues… I was then asked to interview with the department head. During that interview, the department head made it clear that I had intimidated the hiring manager. My experiences and background told her, that I should have her position. I told the department head that I want the position that I applied for. I found during my time of doing that position, I was the most happiest and felt like I was the most successful. At this point in my life I really did not want anything more than that.
- You are not going to be around for a long time. Let’s face facts, the days of people staying with a company or the company staying with you are long gone. I spent almost 29 years with one company. Am I going to spend another 29 years with a “new” company? No! What time I am going to spend there depends on a lot of factors. I have a 5-7 year max plan of wanting to work. Wouldn’t it be a better investment in a person that has skills, experiences and a solid track record for 5-7 years over a newbie or someone that has bounced around? This discussion is something that I believe that is instilled in too many hiring managers thought process. How long is a person going to stay? Do you have a crystal ball?
I have heard each and everyone of these and it is frustrating to hear. I just want to tell the person that is hiring, that I have hired thousands of employees over the years.. I always went after the person with the experience, willingness to learn, not afraid to do the little things and would help my team over achieve. If that meant, that person was going to get my job one day – great!
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