Baby Boomer looking for work

[Optimistic]

Hi:

I am new to this forum, in fact this is actually a first for me (period). Just wanted to say hello and wonder if anyone is experiencing the opposite of what STATS CAN say should be happening -- that is the fact that companies should be keeping and/or recruiting older workers as there will be/is a shortage of experienced workers available to replace us? I have been asked to downplay my resume just so that I can get my foot in the door. I have worked full time since 1977 and am not ready to retire as I have just turned 52. I have had numerous great interviews but with no job offers and it is almost 5 months now that I have been on what is termed "temporary lay-off". I should mention that I live in Windsor - so the job market is tough right now anyway.

Any hints?

Still Optimistic (or just crazy?)

[Tsveta]

It is no secret that the employers prefer to hire younger people and it is getting more difficult to find a job. What kind of job are you looking for? Did you try the online job banks - workopolis.com and monster.ca?

[Optimistic]

I work all of the internet job sites and read all the material I can find. I am an experienced customer service/job coordinator from the manufacturing world, with added skills in Shipping, Customs, Logistics and administrative support. I have intermediate to advanced skills in both Word and Excel and am working to bring up my skills in Power Point and Access.

I am working with placement agencies, but other than a couple that have actually produced interviews for me; I have basically obtained most of the ones I've had on my own.

I feel that I have a strong resume which I tailor to the position that I am applying for. I have been asked to "tone" down my resume to just get my foot in the door. That is fine - but once I arrive for the interview they will know I am no longer 30.

My longest place of employment was 20 years and I lost my job due to restructuring. Could this part of my resume be actually hurting me? I am not a job jumper. The position I took after the restructuring was for 1-1/2 years and the one I was just laid off from was for 4 years.

Any suggestions?

[Tsveta]

You are not doing anything wrong. Maybe it is just tougher times, fewer positions, but keep looking, something will come up!

[Wickedlolly]

I am also over 40 (Just) i also have a lot of experience In All you have mentioned plus a bit more.I find the answer in my interviews your over qualified quiet often.But i am determined and think of a good saying that has always worked upto now and that is ..."If at first you dont suceed try try try again". As in the end you will be distorting the facts changing a CV and honesty gets you a long way and if you sell yourself a lot lower then become a job offer that is alot higher than you excepted then if you are a super typ with pride in what and how you work then you wont move and will bum up you life for making the wrong dississions maybe. i will try and try untill i get what i am worth or in the near of what i am worth.
well head roll up the sleves and show them all what your made out of and look over your plate internationally maybe you will se that what you are looking for who knows i am british and speak fluent German and as Warehousing and Logistics specialist with odds of more experience i cant find anything due to work restriction laws without a sponser so it looks like we are both in the same boat bye bye for now


K

I work all of the internet job sites and read all the material I can find. I am an experienced customer service/job coordinator from the manufacturing world, with added skills in Shipping, Customs, Logistics and administrative support. I have intermediate to advanced skills in both Word and Excel and am working to bring up my skills in Power Point and Access.

I am working with placement agencies, but other than a couple that have actually produced interviews for me; I have basically obtained most of the ones I've had on my own.

I feel that I have a strong resume which I tailor to the position that I am applying for. I have been asked to "tone" down my resume to just get my foot in the door. That is fine - but once I arrive for the interview they will know I am no longer 30.

My longest place of employment was 20 years and I lost my job due to restructuring. Could this part of my resume be actually hurting me? I am not a job jumper. The position I took after the restructuring was for 1-1/2 years and the one I was just laid off from was for 4 years.

Any suggestions?

[Lonzie]

Count me in as a member of the over 40 club. I used to put the phrase "over 20 years experience" in my cover letters but was told by more than one HR professional that I should change that phrase to over 10 years or over 15 years experience depending on the company.

It does seem to be very illogical that employers would avoid candidates with expereince but sadly it seems to be the case. On the other hand, if you are 20 and fresh out of University you do not have enough experience.

The irony is that the hiring manager is usually older than me, but won't give a mature candidate a chance:confused:

Any HR Professionals out there that can shed some light???? Make it a bright light because my eyes aren't what they used to be:D