Laid Off: I’m 65 and Skilled, No One Will Hire Me
I just got laid off and I am 65 have not medical problems and no restrictions, why can not I find work? I live and work in maine, willing to travel, well educated and do carpentry, handyman services,woodworking, property caretaker services and almost everything else, over 40 years, for the past 6 weeks I have tried to get a job anywhere, I have applied in over 200 placements, in person and through e-mail, I do not drink or smoke nor do drugs, I love to work.
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3 Responses to Laid Off: I’m 65 and Skilled, No One Will Hire Me
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that really is too bad. I can’t believe they wouldn’t want someone. I mean in a lot of cases this generation works harder than most younger ones right now. They take their job more seriously and put more pride in it. They shouldn’t worry about you sticking around for 20 years, it’s not really how jobs work anymore anyway.
@lovestolaugh, insurance premiumns won’t rise on group health plans. There is no such thing as “too much experience”. That is a bullshit excuse. If someone feels an applicant wants too much money, it should be discussed, not assumed.
Have you tried places like Home Depot or Lowes? They’d LOVE to have someone with your construction background. Apartment or school maintenance? How about http://www.constructionjobs.com
There is much ageism in today’s society. People over 50 are generally not hired, at least where I live. Too much experience may mean the companies will think you will demand too much money, even if that is not the case. They also feel that people over 50 have too many health problems, and will make their insurance premiums rise. And then there are the people who simply don’t want to hire anyone with more knowledge than themselves. In your case, they probably think that, because of your age, you do not have staying power. If you can retire, then you could leave at any time, and they don’t want to waste money training you.
There also is a great shortage of jobs in today’s market, so if they have a choice between a skilled 30-year old who doesn’t demand much money and will take orders easily and a 65-year old who is multi-skilled, deserves a decent salary, and probably could run the place himself, they will opt for the 30-year-old every time.
Today’s management force is generally young and biased. They think that over a certain age, a person loses memory and energy, even though nothing could be further than the truth. Let’s face it…an older worker is much less likely to take time off to care for sick children or to recover from a late party the night before. Obviously, that is not a plus in prospective employers’ books.
I know there are some companies that have a policy of hiring older workers. If you google AARP, it may lead you to a list of those companies. I don’t know if any of them are in Maine, but it’s worth a shot.