Why is it so hard to find employment when you turn 50?

1. 57

   Kathy Fabinposted 10 years ago

   Why is it so hard to find employment when you turn 50?

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2. 59

   Dviewsposted 10 years ago

   Thank you for putting this important question forward. Many organizations today I believe are missing out on the benefits that "Baby Boomers" have to offer as I have often times told my over 40 clients who I helped with their resume. "Ageism" with many other "ism" have blinded, even crippling our society from attracting and maintaining our most valuable resources "people" - senior employees are loyal and hardworking and many employers today fail to acknowledge this and instead of retaining and training, it is now the trend to force retire/cut back/lay off older employees so as to maintain their financial bottom line even after certain number of years and the wheel keep turning, as they hire younger, less senior, offering wages well below to balance budget.
   Do not be disheartened every 50 year old has skills to offer (think what is it you are good at), from the time you first started working to your present what have you perfected (and don't tell yourself I haven't done nothing or I don't know). Here is a list of things that some of my clients have started and are very successful with; consulting, Foster mother - client has adopted a teenager in state care (she was adopted as a child and wanted to give back in this way, she is funded by the state and adopted daughter and mom are doing great), another client works part-time as Job search consultant, another client works part-time as a drop-in friend to seniors at the nursing home, another client volunteers and work part-time driving older seniors to their appointments, another client works at wal-mart, another senior volunteer with the police service and is a crossing guard and another client is thinking of starting her own day-care which is not hard to do providing you are following your state/city laws regarding home daycare, having proper legal documents and license.
   50 is the new 40, do not let anyone tell you where life starts or end, seniors have a lot to offer and I am proud to say I am an advocate for seniors because I have learned so much from my elders and still continue to learn. If you can not find employment or come up with an idea to create your own employment, then write your life story and have it published - don't be shy we all have a story and someone may just be waiting to hear yours. I wish you all the best and never give up because  the curtain does not closes until you have fulfill everything which God has placed in you.

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3. 0

   Larry Wallposted 10 years ago

   I found at 60 I could not get a job, after working 22 years on my last job and 13 years on the job prior to that. It is cheaper to hire young people than older people. I was told I was overqualified, had a great work history but not the exact skills they were looking for etc.
   
   I replied, that I was not expecting the salary I was making. I was capable of learning new skills and would put in a full eight hours ever day and I would be around for several years and not spending my time looking for another job.
   
   I am now drawing Social Security and doing a little freelance writing. There will be a turnaround when there is a major gap in the area of experience--not just in the skills needed for the job--but in working with people, respecting customers and the willingness to do the best you can all the time.

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