Are you over the hill at 55 ??

[TrevorW]

Whats the general consensus here

I work for the Govt and I've been going for some higher level jobs (i've held higher level acting position is the past) I get to the interview stage and then the position goes to a younger far less experienced IMO person

On one I went for recently only two people including myself got through to the interview stage and yet a person

half my age (fact)
half my expereince (fact)
far less qualified (fact)
who works in the same area as I for the same length of time, and until 12 months ago at the same level until he was given a a higher level acting role
who is known on occcassions to be lazy and unreliable


got the position

now the only things I could put it down to

were that

he'd do as led
he's likeable

now in the Govt you can't contest the outcome based on the appointed person only on the process

Is this me being paranoid or are you hindered by your age???

[renormalised (Carl)]

No, you're not paranoid. I've encountered the same sort of rot before, myself. You don't have to be 55 to be treated like that. I've been told on a number of occasions that I was overqualified and/or too old for a job. Even though they're not supposed to do that, by law. Not that the government really takes any notice of any of the laws it makes. He got the job simply because he was younger than you, stupid and easily led. Despite his shortcomings, he'll be there a lot longer than you will and they can "guide" him into what they want him to be and do. You're less likely to put up with their BS simply because you have far more experience (especially life experience) and will say so if you feel or think they're trying to pull the wool over your eyes. Plus, they're most likely scared you're looking to take their jobs away from them, if the really big bosses see you're better than they are and actually make a smart decision to promote you, for a change. You're probably older and more experienced than your bosses and that's one thing they don't like...someone who can show them up or bring them to attention when they inevitably stuff things up because they're basically incompetent and should not be in the positions they're in (which seems to be the case with government jobs...promoted because they toe the line and "fit in").

Unfortunately, age and experience seems to be a not so highly sort after or well regarded asset these days. Hasn't been for a long time.

[leon]

It happens all the time, experience accounts for nothing, if you are young and have some tickets but have no idea of what your doing you will get the job, from a person that would be experienced and have no tickets.

Its crap but once you are over 50 like me they don't want to know about it, I have experienced this all the time, and basically have given up, by the way i,m over 62, and not needed any more.

Its all good i just go traveling now.

Leon

[issdaol (Phil)]

A mate of mine who was one of the best Account Managers, always made his quota or better and his clients loved him was made redundant when one of the international businesses went bankrupt. He has been unable to get another role purely due to age.

Mainly the excuses are by hiring managers are that he wont be flexible or hungry enough to win business!!!

[Ric]

Nothing unusual there Trevor, it goes on all the time where I work.

Over the years I've been constantly overlooked for higher positions while I'm running circles around my directors who basically dont have a clue about what's going on.

I think they don't want me to move up or out as there is basically no one who can step into my position that has the historical knowledge that I have.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by leon

It happens all the time, experience accounts for nothing, if you are young and have some tickets but have no idea of what your doing you will get the job, from a person that would be experienced and have no tickets.

Its crap but once you are over 50 like me they don't want to know about it, I have experienced this all the time, and basically have given up, by the way i,m over 62, and not needed any more.

Its all good i just go traveling now.

Leon

Although "ageism" is rife, I feel that the reason a lot, not all, people over 55 do not succeed is that they are relying on skills learned years before. I am a mature aged student at 58 and have always been involved in "life long" learning, mainly because I want to and not necessarily for work.

After being made redundant in 2008 I returned to full time study, as there wasn't much in the way of work around. Although it was tough to find a job, particularly because of my age, I did manage to find a great position, albeit part time, that I obtained purely because of my experience and qualifications.

But, generally, I have to agree; if you are over 50, and not young and pretty, you don't have much of a chance.

[TrevorW]

True you must be prepared to continually learn there is no such saying "as you can't teach an old dog new tricks" in my data bank I still do come up with ways of changing and improving processes

[Barrykgerdes]

To get employment at any age you must have something to sell.
I applied for redundency when I was 54 and was refused point blank when some of my contempories got $100000 in redundency.

I hung around till 55 and then retired. ha! ha! they told me not to so I volunteered to work part time for two years then said that was enough. however I did a couple of stints on contract (making lots of dough).
Then they asked me to come back and run a project in Newcastle but I did not want to move and it was a little outside a comfortable commuting range so I said no. The project ended up with lots of problems because the people running it did not have the expertise or experience.

Barry

PS I am 77 now and still the "unofficial" maintence engineer for a plastics company. I just do the jobs that no one else can do these days and am a regular at the Xmas party.

[UniPol]

Teaching may be an exception to the rule. When I retired from teaching three years ago I thought that was it, live off my super, spend time in the garden, hobbies, small trips etc. My wife works two days a week as she likes it so much so I thought I would apply for casual teaching positions in my local area mainly to supplement our income, save for overseas trips and of course, buy more astro gear. I had no trouble in finding teaching positions, in fact I have taught at least six months in each year since retiring and will be teaching in term 1 this year at a local grammar school. While I still have good health and a positive attitude to work not to mention the social aspects, I will continue to teach even though it can be very challenging these days. I am now 61 by the way.

[TrevorW]

Teachers are hard to get, good teachers even harder, especially male teachers

(ps: I work for the Education Dept (admin))

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

61 is hardly old though is it?
I'm 60 next month and have been pouring concrete this last few days for my new obs.
I have been out of work for two years - which is kinda silly as I would have been cheaper and more effective than a fresh out of the box civil designer.

[Kevnool (Kev)]

There is an old saying that goes " Its not what you know its who you know".
And it still goes on today.

Cheers Kev.

[icytailmark (Mark)]

if your in a field where you can work for yourself then do it. You have the experience and im sure you have the contacts. My dad is 66 and he is a contractor. Works whenever he wants and gets lots of perks.

[Hagar (Doug)]

Trevor I'm affraid from an employment point of view 55 is not over the hill it is burried underneath it. Experience is the only benefit younger people can see in us and that only holds true for your current job.

I work in the private sector and have seen it so many times but when challenged the reason is always something vague and unexplainable but never age.

[Bassnut (Fred)]

I work for myself and have thought of hiring someone. I'd pick someone older with experience automatically. I'm actually puzzled why there is ageism with employment, I don't get it. If its common, surely there's a "good" reason for it, company's want to make a profit. Is really the way Carl describes, that cynical ?.

Eg, do older ppl want more pay, is that the problem?

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by Bassnut

I work for myself and have thought of hiring someone. I'd pick someone older with experience automatically. I'm actually puzzled why there is ageism with employment, I don't get it. If its common, surely there's a "good" reason for it, company's want to make a profit. Is really the way Carl describes, that cynical ?.

Eg, do older ppl want more pay, is that the problem?

In my experience, companies are reticent to employ older people because of health factors, as they may think that an older person may have problems that may prevent them from performing their job and may take time off. In some industries, this may be the case, however, research has shown that older people are actually more reliable. Probably because they are not as distracted as young people and are happy just to have a job.

[renormalised (Carl)]

YMMV, Fred, but in my experience, yes.

[renormalised (Carl)]

The thinking is the older person won't be in the job as long as the younger person (potentially), they won't want the same pay (they'll want more) or the young person won't get the same pay as the older person (based on experience and qualifications) and because of that experience and such, they're harder to "mold" and are more set in their ways and less easily "controlled" than younger people. Plus, due to their experience, if they're older and better qualified than the boss, they feel threatened by that older employee's possible future moves within their company (the bugger will end up with my job scenario). Younger ones resent the fact they can't get the jobs because the oldies already have them.

Funny thing is, most older people would just be happy to settle for what work they can get.

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by renormalised

The thinking is the older person won't be in the job as long as the younger person (potentially), they won't want the same pay (they'll want more) or the young person won't get the same pay as the older person (based on experience and qualifications) and because of that experience and such, they're harder to "mold" and are more set in their ways and less easily "controlled" than younger people. Plus, due to their experience, if they're older and better qualified than the boss, they feel threatened by that older employee's possible future moves within their company (the bugger will end up with my job scenario). Younger ones resent the fact they can't get the jobs because the oldies already have them.

Funny thing is, most older people would just be happy to settle for what work they can get.

Too true Carl, well said. I agree that the older person probably has a lot less ambition, because he or she has been there, done that, and just wants to be able to work and feel useful. I am in that category!

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Yep I turn 50 next year and have been passed over for the last 3 years for a cushy office job in a top 100 company , in the heavy engineering field , oil and gas . I was told point blank by the AU manager that I was to valuable running a work shop of now 30 boilermakers , pipe fitter and welders up here to move on up , What !!! .
I kicked up a stink and word filtered to the shop floor and my guys were worried I might snatch it and leave .
Made my heart sing that did , as some were ready to follow me.
The next week I was asked to see the boss and he was eating " Humble Pie " as he thought I was really gonna leave .
I now earn more a year than most shiny asses in their air conn'd offices and have a shiny new 2012 Hilux 4x4 as a work wagon .. .
Some times if you are to good at your job that there is no one to fill your shoes ,
Brian.