Posted 6 days ago
Job Search
I am sure many have been in a similar situation in finding a Job, but wow it's hard.
Sadly, my circumstances are not helping me because I had to be carer for 6 years and my age (43 Years old) is having a negative effect 4 times in interviews it as been a problem hopefully it's just a bad batch.
First interview they said they need to know my age for Job Purpose (I clearly look over 18)
Second time Semi Interview they asked “why do you want to get a Job at your age?
Third time, we prefer to hire young people because there cheaper and they quit and normally come back.
Fourth time Elimination group interview last one out of all young people, I did everything right in the interview.
So am feeling really down about this, I even cancelled an interview because it would have been another group elimination interview.
Plus, to make things harder some jobs have 100s and 100s of people applying, one job had 800 people applying in the Leeds area.
To have any chance of a Job I have calculated I need to apply for at least 9 Jobs per day.
I know I must not give up.
My experience is in Hospitality and Retail.
Any advice and tips welcome.
Sadly, my circumstances are not helping me because I had to be carer for 6 years and my age (43 Years old) is having a negative effect 4 times in interviews it as been a problem hopefully it's just a bad batch.
First interview they said they need to know my age for Job Purpose (I clearly look over 18)
Second time Semi Interview they asked “why do you want to get a Job at your age?
Third time, we prefer to hire young people because there cheaper and they quit and normally come back.
Fourth time Elimination group interview last one out of all young people, I did everything right in the interview.
So am feeling really down about this, I even cancelled an interview because it would have been another group elimination interview.
Plus, to make things harder some jobs have 100s and 100s of people applying, one job had 800 people applying in the Leeds area.
To have any chance of a Job I have calculated I need to apply for at least 9 Jobs per day.
I know I must not give up.
My experience is in Hospitality and Retail.
Any advice and tips welcome.
Community Updates
50 Comments
sorted byDo you have it in writing? If I was in a particular mood I would be asking for a copy of all the information they had on me which would include the interview & assessment notes.
It might give them a shock so they don't behave the same way in the future.
I remember one company on my local facebook page getting hammered by thousands of people when it came out they would only hire kids still in school because they could pay them less. Now that was funny reading despite the seriuosness of their behaviour. They had to cease trading shortly after. (edited)
"Money doesn't make you happy"
"but it is better to cry in a (your own) car than the subway"
Have you looked at admin jobs in an office where you can transfer your skills?
Also, it is illegal to discriminate against age so you shouldn't even be asked that question during the interview.
I thought hospitality was crying out for staff according to news?
Ddefinitely go through the agency and see what options are open to you.
My CV as been checked 3 times from a career advisor and the job centre and it's all good.
When did they say it in the news? (edited)
Retail is dying, with hospitality they usually get youngsters in for cheap labour. Also with both fields you're gonna have to be flexible with hours which may be hard due to your circumstances, it's usually why they pick young people who have no responsibilities.
Good luck with your search either way
If not get one setup and get some connections in place.
Great place to look for jobs and heavily used by recruiters .
Easy to apply for jobs from LinkedIn as well.
Chin up and keep on applying, something will come along. Your obviously trying hard to find a position and it will pay off in time (edited)
There is hope out there, my brother recently left retail after 30 odd years
I would say he had no marketable skills being polite
In the last year
Sky TV - Too much screen time coming from retail
He's had worked as a Iceland delivery driver ( didn't enjoy, it)
A business to business returns collector/driver ( to much headache, driving round city centre)
Lidl shelf stacker- unfortunately floor manager was rude (and took the Michael - left)
Sainsbury's online picker - works 5hrs a morning and gets his steps in
He started out looking for something and tried a fair few jobs also that fitted the pattern of hrs he likes and the job is ok
Will keep all you posted on the outcome. (edited)
Anyway good luck...
43 isn't old. generally speaking, older people have more experience and that can be of interest to employers
if you've been doing caring for 6 years, you have 6 years experience of caring, so the transferable skils and experience may be of use. if you go to an agency they may be able to advise if you would be suitable for that type of work or if you need some kind of training or qualification (ie. health and safety, first aid) or if there are employers prepared to take you on and go through the necessary training etc for you to do that work. you are likely to need background checks, again the employer would normally do that
But the 2:45 pm interview went really well (zero discrimination this time maybe that helped as she was a similar age to myself ) I applied for part time supervisor position.
Tomorrow I will find out ,I am really hoping on this one was because it looks like a great place to work.
Hopefully there is a result. (edited)
In my opening comments I forgot to mention that I was an Assistant manager in a Pub plus A manager in the retail sector sadly I can't commit to every hour.
Thank you. (edited)
Thank you so much for everyone's kind words and Advice. Will update you all when I get a job . (edited)
Have you considered support work for people with learning difficulties, they usually don't require experience and are care work jobs are always advertised where I live.
I work in chemical manufacturing industry and I’m 40 and never experienced any of this when applying jobs or interviews in my sector. If a manger interviewed me and said what they said to you I would stand up and walk off before he finished his sentence .
I think it’s more the work your going for rather than you if that makes sense (edited)
I am applying for McDonald's to Toby Carvery and loads more hospitality places and retail which had 0 success in that.
Keep at it, you'll find something in the end.