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Age Bias and the Job
Market
 Auburn,
Feb.10, 2003---Hardest
hit during the recent market downturn are workers 55 and older. Some
are forced to find new employment because of downsizing or a merger;
others simply choose to find a second career following retirement.
Regardless of the reason, those over 50 who are job hunting are
running into trouble.
Major hurdles the
50-plus generation have to overcome in today’s job market are age
bias, acute apprehension and budget restraints.
“Age
bias is a huge problem for these job seekers,” says Dr. Jacquelyn
Robinson, a workforce development specialist with the Alabama
Cooperative Extension System.
“Typically, the first line of screening is done by those just
beginning a career in human resources who are usually young. They
tend to associate applicants who are in the same age group as their
parents with their parents. In other words, they tend to view the
over-50 job seeker as out-of-date, lacking in energy and slow
mentally.”
While older
workers often represent experience, wisdom and knowledge, they also
represent higher salaries. During times when increasing the bottom
line in a depressed economy is a primary goal, cutting those with
the highest earnings mean cutting fewer jobs while boosting company
profits.
. Although many
opt to work either part time or become self-employed, it takes twice
as long for most to find a job as their younger competitors. Almost
50 percent of those looking for employment could not find jobs
within their old industry. Of those returning to full-time
employment, about half experience a pay cut in their new positions.
Data shows that
workers over 50 are invited for interviews half as often as those
under 35. One reason given is that most older, experienced workers
expect higher salaries than young job seekers, Robinson says. Human
resources personnel support that assumption by saying that financial
constraints are motivating factors in dismissing and failing to hire
older workers.
“The truth is,
many older applicants, especially those who are in a second or third
career, are willing to negotiate a lower salary,” Robinson says.
“The employer actually gets a top-grade employee for the price of a
younger and inexperienced one; and the job applicant gets a
challenging job where he or she can feel creative and productive.”
Finding a job in
today’s job market may be hard for seasoned employees, Robinson
says. The amount of job search time may be significantly reduced by
following these simple steps.
-
Complete a
personal skills inventory
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Be flexible;
consider jobs in an industry new to you
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Determine your
career goals
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Prepare a
resume that markets your skills
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Target
companies that hire persons with your skills
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Network;
network; network
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System offers free job search
seminars to communities and
companies. These seminars can be tailored to meet the needs of the
audience. Seminars may be two or four hours.
Source: Dr. Jacquelyn Robinson,
Workforce Development Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension
System, (334) 844-5353
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