Hiring Practices

I am happy we are having a national discussion about hiring practices in America.  It is nice to see hiring practices at corporations coming under the microscope.  Everyone who has been in the job market the past few years has known the process is not exactly fair.  But because hiring is done remotely, you could not put your finger on just what the process is.

Part of the issue is the whole process being online.  No longer can you walk in or even call an employer to ask questions.  I know.  Two years ago, when I was applying for positions, I could not figure out why I did not even get an interview for jobs I was more than qualified for.  I had over 20 years of experience in the field and I could not seem to get an interview.

Maybe the issue was that I had too much experience or hiring personnel could tell by my experience that I was over 50 years old.  What I finally ended up doing is deleting half my experience from my resume’ and removing the year I graduated from college.  I finally secured a position after over 6 months of aggressive searching. 

So, why the age discrimination in hiring?  We now know that all new job openings the past year have gone to foreign born workers.  Whether this is the reason or the byproduct, who knows.  At the core, the main issue is company profits.  Older, experienced people ask for higher salaries.  Companies seem not to value what an experienced worker can bring to their company.

I am over the prescribed retirement age.  I am tired of seeing commercials that only show grey haired people traveling, playing golf, and spending money.  If they are not showing the traveling scenario, they are showing them sick or in care centers.  What happened to looking at the individual?  What happen to judging a person on their merit and not their age – or anything else?

I am convinced I would never have been hired if HR knew how old I was.  I accepted a salary that I was making 20 years ago.  Even at that, within a year of being hiring, I was questioned about when I was going to retire.

While we have this national hiring discussion, let’s not forget about 50+ workers.  We have the skills and education to perform all of the jobs going to foreign workers. 

My recommendation to 50+ workers is first – take care of your health!  Employers are aware of what taking on an employee with chronic health issues can do to their insurance costs.  Second, look good.  You don’t need to be a model, but dress well.  Don’t walk or sit like an older person.  Smile.  Have life in your eyes.  And most important, keep a positive attitude.

I am hopeful for American workers.  I am hopeful for American companies.  I encourage each of you to chart your own path and do not let “culture” tell you what you should be.  Don’t let others tell you when to stop working.  Everyone, regardless of age, is in charge of their own destiny.