Too Old To Hire?

http://work.lifegoesstrong.com/over-50-employers-are-looking-you

Some other things that most people already know, but are worth being reminded of are:
Your age, social security number, marital status or anything else like that does not belong on a resume.
Resumes don’t need to list every job you’ve ever had. Anything prior to 1990 should not be included, and perhaps prior to 1995.
Degrees only need to state the school and the degree, not the year, unless you’re a new grad.
Resumes should be emailed or uploaded to a website, not sent through the mail.

So, those are what not to say, but what to say?
Keep it positive. You don’t want to project that you’re expecting to be discriminated against. Nobody wants to hire anyone that claims discrimination the first time something doesn’t go their way.
Share recent examples. In a job interview, when you’re asked, “Can you tell me about a time when…” make sure your answer is from the past two-three years.
Show your willingness to learn new things. Every job requires you to learn new things. Make sure your interviewer knows you are interested in learning and growing.
Expect pay to match the job, not your experience. Granted, if you’ve been doing something for 20 years, you’re probably more valuable than someone who has been doing it for 5 years. However, the pay rate is going to be based on what it costs to get any qualified person into the job. Make sure your expectations are realistic.
Don’t try to pretend you are younger than you are. Just as a “Back when I was…” phrase indicates you’re old, trying to speak like a 20 something when you are 50 something sounds grating and faked.
Remember the positives that come with age. Employers expect you’ll be more reliable, trustworthy, less likely to offend a customer with your piercings and tattoos, won’t accidentally include text speak in your emails, and know how to get along with people.

Number one rule to resume is that there are no rules! It is a marketing tool, not a job application or a legal document! What makes me mad is when you put an older position down to sell yourself without putting dates. Some recruiters and employers don't like that. If it is over 10 years then you should not have to list dates. That still does not stop them from discriminating.

Someone with a few years of experience does not have to go through this. Totally unfair. Especially the last few years where old people have to hide their gaps. Some recruiter want to expose your gaps, many Contract or Temporary last less then 3 months. It may be many months before you work again. Especially during the 2008-Now. Many place know it, but some use it to discriminate and to make you feel terrible.

Just because some recruiter wants to totally change your resume. You don't have to do it! I recently walked out on a recruiter that was using high pressure tactics to change my resume when there was nothing wrong with it, Many recruiters and employers like the format as suggest by many resume writers. Claimed he was THE EXPERT as I told him other well known experts including HR professional said it was great.

For older people it is about skills. Skills don't go out of date. We just don't list our typing skills. It is Office or Word skills. Don't mention Vacuum tubes for Electronics. Anything that can use to date you. How is your Fortran or Cobol skills?

Another thing that gets me mad is there is many times only one thing you have not done. Don't they know that college graduates can read technical manuals and then can do the job. Sometime better then someone else that has been doing it for years. Why, because they never read a good manual on that skill!

This process has been for me as it has been for all of you extremely difficult. I've come to second guess myself on everything I held true especially about myself, my skills and my worth. Yet even on those days when I give into self pity and find myself unable to function, I tend to bounce back the next day or so and get back to the rind of job hunting. I try not to assume anything or get too excited because I've been disappointed so many times, but I had a few interviews lately and was cautiously optimistic. I downgraded my expectations and was willing to do anything that would bring in money and get me back into the workforce. In my opinion the last few interviews went well and I was even told that I had a great resume with lots of experience. I also applied for jobs that said immediate hires, so I was crossing my fingers. Now that is Friday morning that hope has turned into despair. I haven't heard back from anyone and my usual anxiety has descended into total despair. With the news from Wall St today and what I'm sure will be a dismal jobs report, I've said it before but now I fear it's true, I don't think I will ever find a job again and if that is true, what will become of me. I was downtown on 9/11 and that had been the most frightening moment of my life until now. I can't and don't want to go on if I am forced to struggle in poverty. I can't do it........