Job Hunting in 2014

Things have really changed in the realm of job hunting since I first came on the market in the 60's!

Computers and technology have changed absolutely everything about job hunting.  Not many jobs are published in the newspaper anymore for one thing.  Then most of the jobs are actually posted with some company which refers out to another company or other companies.  Everything is done "on line."

I don't know about you feel about it, but interviewing on line is not particularly representative of who I am.  How can a computer tell what kind of personality I have.  Well, they think they can by giving you these weird "psychological" tests.  "What would your fellow employees say about your work ethic?" Do you think I'm going to say they think I stink?  Get real!  This stuff is crazy.  Then they ask you the same question five different ways.  Do you really think I am stupid enough to not be able to recognize this gimmick?  Who designs these creepy things anyway?

I have been jumping through hoops for weeks now answering ads on line.  Send a resume.  Fill out our application on line.  Take the on line test.  Wait...wait...wait.  It doesn't help that in spite of the fact that they are NOT allowed to discriminate because of age,  every single one of them asks for your date of birth (and the computer will not let you progress to the next question if you skip this one) or what year you graduated from high school or college! DUH!  There goes the resume in the garbage if you are over 50! aauuugggghhhh

I have always gotten my very best jobs by face to face meetings where someone referred me for a job because of my personality and skills.  The computer just doesn't give you the opportunity to demonstrate any of that.

I guess I'm saying all this to tell you that if you are a "senior" looking for a job (even if it's a WalMart greeter) you are going to have to be 1. Computer literate 2. Willing to put hundreds of applications in and 3. Expect people to start calling you three times a day asking if you want to further your education!

Are you kidding me? They sell your information to these places that robo call you about educational opportunities!  Aaauuugggh again!  I don't need an education! I have that! I need a freaking job!!!
Yep, I'm over fifty, but I'm not crippled, arthritic, senile or stupid!  I have an education and a ton of skills...so come on, give me a chance.

After so much of this, I finally do have an interview in person on Monday (after doing all the computer interview stuff first!).  It pays about half of what I got in my last job when I was younger, but I guess it is all I really need.  It is a little hard on the ego at this stage of life to step back and take a more menial job, but I understand there are a lot of us "Boomers" in that situation right now.

So, take a deep breath, hone up on your computer skills and think about those silly questions you will be answering...you can do it! I did.

PEACE, LOVE & JOY

With Age Comes Wisdom?

Beautiful garden there isn't it?  I love walking through the grass and smelling all the lovely fragrances that float up from this huge variety of flowers.

I think as you grow older you do learn to "stop and smell the roses" a little more frequently than when you are young.

As I spend time checking out blogs on the internet, I find that most are written by those twenty somethings and thirty somethings who are still raising children.  They are filled with "hints" on items to buy for babies, quick recipes for families and so on.  That's all good, but what about all of those Baby Boomers out there?  What is it that they want to read?  Do they read blogs?

Lately, I have found myself in the position of having to seek a job at 67 years of age.  Hmmm, shouldn't be a problem, should it? I mean I'm a retired RN, have owned my own restaurant, have worked as a Legal Secretary and Sold Real Estate in two states, I've even sold Auto Insurance for a prominent Insurance company.  Tons of experience!  Tons of skills! So what? I'm 67.

It seems that in spite of the fact there is a law against age discrimination, it is still a really big problem.  Every single application I have filled out has asked either my age, or when I graduated from High School.  Hmmmmmm..  doesn't that constitute age discrimination?  I have been told on some occasions that I am "over qualified."  What the heck does that mean?  It means that they consider me to "old" for whatever position I have applied for!

Now, I agree that some 67-year-old people DO have health issues, etc., but I DON'T.  I walk four miles at a rapid pace, I can lift things, and bend and stretch with the best of them.  I am NOT senile...give me a test, and let me show you!  I have a high IQ which has NOT diminished with age. I DON'T have children that I would need to stay home and care for when they are sick, or rush to school to pick them up.  I CAN work any and all hours without "family issues."  So WHY OH WHY are people who are over 60 no longer considered valuable or useful in this Country.  It is ridiculous!

The sad truth is that most of us Baby Boomers are finding that due to inflation and the high cost of living, we MUST go back to work in order to pay the bills and have insurance.  What ever happened to the idea that age brought wisdom.  Believe me, with all the experiences I have had in the last fifty years or so, I am worth a lot more than I was as an 18-year-old high school graduate or even after college.  I am MATURE not OLD!  I still want to lead an active, vibrant life.  I still have a lot to give, and am NOT ready to be put up on a shelf to collect dust.

I know that many, many Baby Boomers are in the same situation as I am right now.  We are being disenfranchised and pushed aside and relegated to being "Wal Mart greeters" even though we are college educated and still have a lot to offer.  What is it going to take to change this?  I wish I knew!

I've raised children, helped with grandchildren, worked two jobs at a time and have tons of experience and I want to be able to continue to lead a productive and active life for at least twenty or more years beyond this day!

Let me know if you have similar experiences, and let me know if you have ideas about how we can CHANGE the current trend of forcing older Americans out of the work force.

PEACE, LOVE & JOY