Is it my age ?

[thehumblepotatoes]

I've been job hunting and had four rejections recently after being told that I did really well in the interview etc when they gave feedback, which I didn't ask for, they gave it anyway. The feedback was all really detailed. Aibu to think it's my age as I'm 54?

Quite likely, I’m sorry to say but employers looking at people they can train often overlook people over 40. Too set in their ways, nothing to work towards, no career ambitions, working towards retirement. Sorry if this sounds harsh. I’m being truthful because I disagree but have sat in many interviews where these have been the panels comments

What industry do you work in, OP?

Unfortunately I suspect that YANBU. Age discrimination whilst being illegal is rife. Women over 50 frequently overlooked for reasons related to their age. I am 55, in a senior job and it is pretty clear that should I get made redundant I won't be able to get another job at my level and will be considered overqualified for anything else in my industry. It's bizarre to realise that I am now considered past it.

Yes unfortunately it could be. Is it something you work in already or a career move?

Keep going OP and don’t lose heart. 💐 Easier said than done, I know. You will find the right employer. I’ve recently changed jobs and I’m 56. Some employers are more enlightened than others.

It depends on the industry - I’ve heard of some employers also preferring older candidates as they would be less likely to go off on maternity leave

Oh that’s shit, OP.

No experience here, but I would be thinking the same as you.

Did you put your DOB on the application / on your CV?

@NeverGuessWho wouldn’t matter when it comes to interviews

Sadly it is well documented that people in their 50s trying to get back into work have a lot of difficulty.

I've not had trouble getting jobs in my 50s. NHS admin & science.

Yes, the application forms ask for date of birth. I work in education, not in the classroom but in a pastoral role.

All employment laws say you shouldn’t discriminate, however an employer can always find a different reason not to employ you if they don’t want to. No major oversight committee here.

To say you did well at interview but there was a candidate who more closely matched requirements is a standard interview feedback phrase. The old rule of thumb is that you interview 6 candidates per position.

Depending on sector and role, 4 rejections isn't that bad. Can't say if it's age related or not on that kind of sample.

Maturity can be an advantage as much as it is a disadvantage.

It’s well known that it is very hard once you hit your 50s. I lost my job of 28 years when a major airline/holiday firm went bust 😥 2.5 years ago. It took months of interviews/applications to finally get something else and it’s much lower pay than I had. I was 52 at the time. I was competing with bright, young things all about 25. I am one of less than 10 people in the company aged over 40 (there are 190 in the business).

OP, you mention they gave detailed feedback, what was it? Did it ring true vs your experience of the interview?

I think age discrimination does exist in some cases, and perhaps the companies were keen not to give that impression (whether accurate or not), hence the detailed feedback.

Also always, always, ask for feedback! They did you a solid by giving it even though you didn’t ask.

In education it's usual to be given feedback without asking for it. Yes, it rang true of what the interview was like - I thought it went really well and they were clear that I was a very close second. I just wondered about the age thing as when I was younger I nearly always got the job (sorry) and I've never had 4 interviews in a row without getting any of the jobs before.

Just so you know, it can cut both ways. Some employers are eager to recruit people who aren't of childbearing age.

Hope you find something soon.

I'm 52, lots, of my peer group and older are finding it really difficult to get back in to their old work roles, after redundancy/contracts ending etc. Some well qualified people are having to take min wage jobs. It's a waste of skills and experience.

It isn't just age discrimination, it's also the climate and having such a large number of qualified/skilled people who are job seeking.

I think it also depends on how senior the role is too

It's very depressing isn't it?

Easier to think that than to think it was anything to do with the actual feedback I guess.

Every large company I’ve worked for gave detailed feedback after interview.

It could be in some cases , but not always I’m young ish and I’m suffering the same fate . Keep trying op. Where my bro works they take on people of all ages . He says that’s a lot of the temps / new staff are out parents age ( as in your age ).