#everydayageism

Yes. But have we come up with any amazing questions yet?

There's a very good example of ageism over on the 'If you could ask Hilary Clinton one question' thread.

Reminds me of the older relative at a trendy dinner party. Not expected to say very much, just sit there and nod at everybody else's wonderful pronouncements.

Many employees are not stupid enough (myself included) to let prospective employers know that they can do a job in their sleep - as a former employer myself, I also gave the job on abililty and tended to steer clear of people that I considered to be judgemental of others.

Most prospective employees will display enthusiasm, a willingness to learn and work as part of a team - not all of them live up to their interview technique.

As a former employer, I have to say that when we were interviewing, we would look for people who displayed enthusiasm, a willingness to learn and a willingness to work with the rest of the team.
I'm afraid that if someone gave the impression that they thought the job was easy and they could 'do it in their sleep' I wouldn't have been impressed.
Nothing to do with age, and everything to do with attitude.

I did volunteering at a hospital for around 4 years - then I applied for a job that came up there as ward secretary (a job I could have done in my sleep) - I didn't even make the shortlist for interview! and they knew me there, all the checks done, the nursing staff and patients 'loved me' (according to the volunteer co-ordinator) but apparently not enough to actually pay me ...

Good luck Kitty - I wish you well

I have just applied for two volunteer posts for wich I am amply qualified/experienced. As the last time I had an interview of this sort i was 52, I will be interested to see what happens. I'll keep you posted!

I see it happening at DBH's school. He is coming up for 50 and next year will be the oldest teacher in his school. Every time an older teacher leaves, usually a Head of department, the school employs someone in their mid twenties - because they are cheaper and supposedly have more energy to work longer hours. Experience and wisdom seems to count for nothing.

It's been worrying me since he was about 35, because every school he has worked at has done the same thing and we have seen older colleagues struggle to get new jobs if they have had to move to accommodate their (younger female) partners' lives.

I've come up against ageism and it isn't as though everyone doesn't know if goes on - they do. I even had an advocate say to me that ageism is more rife and racism and sexism (in job applications).

Quite how the mindset of employers can be changed to accepting older people as viable staff is another matter.

My personal experience: I applied for two jobs (admittedly I was over-qualified but I did tailor my CV and application accordingly). Not the area I have always worked in but I wanted to work but leave the job behind when I got home. I wasn't invited for an interview with the one company (didn't even acknowlege the application!) but was interviewed by the second. I was turned down for the second job as I 'had no previous experience' - I pointed out that that was factually incorrect; he said he'd get back to me after speaking to the woman who interviewed me. He came back and stated 'that [I] displayed no people skills' - I offered to provide him with numerous testimonials stating the exact opposite. He didn't reply.

Out of curiosity, I contacted the first company and asked why I hadn't heard from them and she stated, from the outset, that I 'lacked experience at the required level' - I pointed out that I was qualified and have experience of over 10 years and maybe she would like to check and see what reasons were given. She came back and stated that my application showed 'no signs of people skills'

Seems to be a common thread running here. I have mentioned this on other forums, much to the amusement of others who have been told exactly the same thing about their own applications.

Deferring retirement age will only work if employers are willing to employ.

Other than that, I have no direct experience of ageism.