I've just been turned down for a job because I'm to young

[MilkNoSugarPlease]

I'm 22!

I was turned down for a TON of jobs at 20 because of my age (Despite having 4y experience then!) but I didn't think 22 was that young tbh!

Or do you think they're just making an excuse because I'm not what they want?!

Yes, they're I either making inept excuses or discriminating in a way that's distinctly iffy given the age related laws.

I hope you find a nice employer soon.

It's crap tbh. I'm 22 as well, and a childminder. I've had people knock on my door and ask to talk to my mum loads of times! It's a bad attitude but you can't really change it.

Confidence helps. When I'm met with that attitude I make sure I mention EVERY bloody good thing I can offer, show off my qualifications and experience and enjoy watching the look on their face when they realise they have been caught out patronising me (oh she does have a brain!). If they still turn you down, well it's their loss isn't it?

My nanny is younger than you!

Even my current boss says, she always forgets I'm "so young" because I'm so confident...I don't see why that should be a surprise?!

I don't understand (genuinely) what age has to do with it?!

I'm bloody good at my job and this just annoys me!!

if you are a nanny could it be because you arnt old enough to be insured on their car?

I don't drive (and all potential employers not his)

:)

*Know this

I find it really weird when you see an ad and it says 'nanny wanted, aged 26-35' or something....why so specific about age?! I don't understand!

I think some parents don't want a nanny older than them... they feel intimidated or something. But I don't understand why parents judge nannies based on age rather than experience/qualifications. I've met 19 year old I'd trust with kids, and ones I wouldn't trust with a hamster. And I once met a 50 year old so-called experienced nursey nurse who didn't know to wash her hands after changing a nappy!

Do you know anyone that could be honest with you about your manner? Is it possible that you come across as being younger than you are?

I know a few young women (actually men too) in their early 20s but they come across as lacking in confidence because of their speech, attitude and general body language. Lots of ums, likes, innits, giggles and mumbling. The giggle sounds a little like they aren't sure of what they are saying so add a giggle. It is hard to explain, anyway. You say you are confident so maybe it isn't that, but perhaps at interview it could come across as arrogance or bravado? Only you know how you come across.

Now I'm not assuming anything of you at all, or inferring anything from your age, but it might help to analyse yourself a little to see if there is anything you could change in order to appear older? What do you wear to interviews? Any facebook profiles that interviewers might access?

It must be really frustrating for you, but in your shoes I'd avoid telling them your age. They don't need to know, so why tell them? Is it essential for your employers to know?

I'm not sure I'd employ a 22 year old nanny. I remember what i was like at that age. Mind you would depend on the nanny.

my Nanny has more formal qualifications than i do to look after children

she may be (very) young but she is more than capable

if you are good enough, you are old enough (or something)

After being turned down for so many jobs a few years back, I did an interview with a friend of my mums, a proper formal one (she had just hired a nanny so knew Qs to ask etc) and she said thee wasn't anything in my technique that would make her not hire me iyswim. and when she did that, I was only 19!

unless my technique has changed!

"I'm not sure I'd employ a 22 year old nanny. I remember what i was like at that age"

I don't get why though, not every person is how you were at 22!?

'I don't get why though, not every person is how you were at 22!?'

So true, Id personally had done much of my growing up by then,
was certainly more than capable of looking after other peoples children,
in fact I had so,
and decided to do my NNEB training at 21.
to add a bit more weight.

Surely this is out and out age discrimination?

yes ... but then, i was a complete twat at 22, and as my experience of being 22 is the only experience I have, I tend to judge others on it. It's difficult for me not to.

I think that if an employer is hiring for someone to work in their home, then the age discrimination doesn't apply? I'm sure I read that recently while studying for life in the uk test.

Yes, I think you're right
for some reason I thought the OP was a CM - which again doesn;t make sense, as no one would 'employ' her

I'm a very young nanny too, started with 16 and now I am 20 with over four years experience looking after children. I often had the same problem but luckily I have excellent references and behave very mature for my age so people always invited me for a trial day and offered me the job afterwards. Some people just don't realise that other things matter more than age etc.

Nadine

I'm 32 now, but was a very mature 22 year old. Though I knew a lot of people who weren't. I don't think you can make a judgement solely on age. It depends on the individual.

I feel your pain. I've always looked years younger. At 22 I was a teacher, 26 a SENCO and 28 a deputy head teacher. I look around 22 if caught in my PE teaching clothes, always gets comments such as 'well if you had children you'd understand'. I do enjoy occasionally pointing out that 1/2 of my kids are older than theirs.

When I started teaching (21), I used to get visitors asking me, "so who is the teacher?" and parents saying "so how old are you?" with raised eyebrows. It used to really upset me. So I try to be very sensitive about this with others.
When people who don't know us ring my phone, they almost always ask to speak with my mother or father. My voice must sound very childish over the phone .

I would wonder if it isn't anything to do with age at all.

I'm wondering if it's like when people won't accept me due to me being a bloke but they won't actually say that, so pick some other reason why I wouldn't fit in.

People can be selective on all sorts of things, first impressions count for a lot so if your face doesn't fit you don't get the job regardless of how good you would actually be in the job.

Lots of things you can tell from a CV or Nanny Profile (such as age, gender, ability to drive) so when someone decides to interview you... what do they already know about you at that stage? Can that then help identify what they don't know about you, which they then find out at interview?

I'm not sure I'd employ a 22 year old nanny. I remember what i was like at that age"

I don't get why though, not every person is how you were at 22!?

I know, that's why I put would depend on the nanny at the end of my post.

I also remember how the vast majority of my friends were.

I wouldn't not interview someone beacause of their age, but I would keep their age at the back of my mind.

'People can be selective on all sorts of things, first impressions count for a lot so if your face doesn't fit you don't get the job regardless of how good you would actually be in the job.'

Totally agree there Nick..