Job Type : Age Discrimination
Most people talk about age discrimination when they go for a job. But to put it in a more articulate way.
( As only I can, of course ) If you're like me. 33 years old, experienced with computers, general technology, a former security guard, and a few other blue collar type jobs, - you begin to get a sense of being typecast or stereotyped for particular positions.
It really has nothing to do with wether employers are intentionally doing or not. When looking at a person, and the resume' to match, an employer or hiring manager can't help but begin to think you know this person just doesn't seem right for it, if anything they should be doing ( x, y, or z ).
Excuse me, who the hell are you to tell me what I should be doing, isn't that for me to decide, at the starting point when I first see the advertisement?
Think about certain jobs like front desk, reception, assistant jobs, medical, legal, business. I kinda get a visual connotation in my head that some employers might as well come out and say it like they're on a dating website looking for a relationship :
We're looking for a young 18 - 25 year old woman, college student or graduate to work for us. We feel that this and only this type of person can best make a presentable appearance for our offices when patrons first come in.
No men, no boys, no persons who've done other types of work for however long they've done it. No one over 25 please, this means people over 30, 40, 50 and 60. If you're already 60, you might as well start getting your AARP and social security paperwork ready to file because it's a lot of red tape. Trust me.
Believe it or not, I must agree with you on this point. I think most employers have a preconcieved notion of who they would like to hire for a particular position. I have forwarded to hiring managers in my company, resumes of qualified males for administration positions only to be told "I don't think I'd be comfortable with a male admin". Of course unless it's a occupational requirement (and gender in an office position is not) they can't just come out and say that so the guys resume gets "filed". It's too bad because I believe that they are missing out on some truly qualified people.
( like me )
"It really has nothing to do with wether (whether) employers are intentionally doing or not. When looking at a person, and the resume' to match, an employer or hiring manager can't help but begin to think you know this person just doesn't seem right for it, if anything they should be doing ( x, y, or z )."
You make this same spelling mistake over and over again. You should use Spell Check or proof read your messages much more carefully.
Bunzo
I don't believe it is accurate to say that "most" people look at age discrimination when they are looking for work.
Many college grads are having problems getting employment because they are considered too young and inexperienced. However, I don't believe age discrimination actually begins until someone hits 40 and beyond. I haven't heard of anyone else but you, x, who at the age of 33, had come across age as a reason for not getting hired.
The 30's is still young enough where employers aren't going to see a person with no experience or someone with years and years of experience to discriminate against.
It's not a good idea to assume what an employer is thinking. When I was looking for jobs on more than one occasion during my career, I had encountered a number of rejections. In every case, I called and asked for a reason. It usually came down to me being in the final two or three candidates, but they either chose someone from the inside who decided to apply or they found someone with a bit more experience than me in that particular industry.
I'm in my 40's, but my family and friends say I look younger. Even my employer keeps asking me how old I am when my birthday comes around because they say I look like I'm about 30.
I would like to be back in actual 30's again because that is when you will get the most interviews and employers will be really interested in you if you show them the right stuff. The 30's is a prime age for employment.
You say you have 10 years of experience. How are you presenting that experience to the employer? How do you answer the question in the interview when they ask you why you left your previous positions and why you have gaps? Are you sure the issue with employers is age or is it the caliber or your 10 years of experience?
While I hate to think that my age is getting in my way - jeez, I am only 30 ! (yeah right) - but the harsh reality is that I often wonder if it does or not. Case in point here - my former controller in Illinois was very close to the gal directly under her and it was almost a given that when the controller left she would pass it over to the other gal - my direct boss. Well, guess what ? The controller announced she is leaving and she gave the job to another - younger - supervisor. I am sure that one consideration is always going to be well, how many years can this person offer me over that one? But I really dont think that me having "only" 15 more years to work is a bad thing considering that people dont stay in jobs anymore like that
"But to put it in a more articulate way."
You have the audacity to claim you have the ability to state something more articulately than whom?
You cannot compose a sentence that is grammatically correct, you cannot spell, despite the available Spell Check feature, (FYI- it's under the window in which you type!!) and what you do communicate is unintelligible.
You cannot get a job because you have no marketable skills and sound like an IDIOT.
On your best day you would be hard pressed to find an employer willing to hire you to scrub toilets and floors. And for the record, there is nothing wrong with performing the above-referenced tasks! There are people more highly skilled than you doing those jobs this very minute. You are not superior to them or anyone else, anywhere on this earth! (or flying above us in the sky, swinging from tree branches, anywhere)
Actually you are correct in many of your statements. Employers very often have a preconception of what they want in particular positions. This is especially true where those positions are socially facing or public facing. Is this detrimental to others? Maybe so, I am not sure that one couldn't make a case for this being sexist, racist, and ageist; all in one.
However, employers do have the right to apply certain requirements to any position that include skills, capabilities, and even to some extent appearance. So a advertisment could potentially read as follows:
Seeking polished individual with great communication skills and the ability to interact with the public as our first line receptionist. Required skills include multi-lingual in English and Spanish, basic scheduling skills using MS Outlook, 2 year degree from accredited college.
Key to this is "polished" meaning well dressed and presents themselves well. Clean nails, professional appearance, well maintained hair, clean and pressed clothing, and anything else they want to add to this list that would then translate to "representing" the ideal of the organization and the front office as they wish to be perceived.
That's a perfect ad, LVD. No rational person could say that this ad is sexist, discriminatory or inappropriate in any way!
Bunzo