Is there a sell by date when applying for jobs?

[ElderAve]

Iv' e always thought I write a pretty good job application. In the last decade (until recently) I've applied for 5 jobs, got 5 interviews and been offered 4 of the jobs.

In the last 3 months, fancying a change, I've applied for 4 jobs and not even been offered an interview. One was a bit of a punt but the others I was well qualified for, had appropriate experience and ticked every box on the person spec.

I turn 50 next month.

So bad luck or a connection? Don't suppose there's anything I can do though.

Remove any ' age identifying dates' from your CV and see if it makes a difference; e.g.

• Date of Birth
• Year of Graduation etc
• Only give employment info for the last 15 years

Could just be a coincidence though.

Yep this happens.

I reckon that for our daughters the aim needs to be to have a successful own-business by the age of 30 because the employment market is tough for women - generally fine and getting good opportunities between 20 and 30 but then between 30 and 40 employers are wary because your biological clock must be ticking because you are of breeding age and might take maternity leave at the drop of a hat. You become temporarily employable again between 40 and 50 if you are perceived as probably unlikely to do any more breeding, assuming you have a sufficient professional reputation. Many women are then able to keep the job they attain at that point until retirement but woe betide the 50+ woman who loses her job or just wants a change - for then general misogyny of the irrelevance and boringness of older women takes over again and you'll be lucky to get an interview.

It's not universal. Not all employers are misogynists. Keep on applying - the companies that are run by misogynists do not deserve your talents.

Most application forms require dates of qualifications though. Plus I have Olevels!

I found it so much easier to get a job in my late 20s/early 30s compared to now, 10 years later.

I could literally walk into a job and these are professional, qualified positions

Now I can't even get interviews.

Is it the economy or me?

I'm 35 and having the same issue. This year seems particularly difficult. I'm trying not to take it personally

This kind of thing terrifies me. I’m 52 and the company I’ve worked for for the past two years doesn’t look like it will be around much longer. I fear I’ll end up unemployed or in low-paid work despite 20+ years experience at management level. I don’t think it’s that easy to mask dates on a CV either, especially when a lot of jobs are via agencies who insist on registering with them first and taking a full education/job history.

Not to mention that you’ll likely be registering at the agency with a 20-something before you even get put forward to the actual company!

What can you do though other than just keep applying and hoping for the best?

So depressing and worrying.

I gave a job to a woman in her 50's and she's by far & away my best member of staff!!

I don’t know how you have been applying but a lot of job sites have adverts up for vacancies already filled. Sometimes once a quota for interview is filled recruiters will stop looking at applications but the advert remains longer after. This also happens in companies in house recruitment. Some agencies also leave up old adverts to hook interest. The job no longer exists but they call you up with alternatives, often not what you applied for. Had this several times myself and it’s really annoying considering the time some applications take, tailoring cover letter etc. Sometimes it can feel so demoralising when you have done so many applications and there are no responses.

I know these were all real vacancies, some may have already had an internal candidate lined up, although actually that was the case at my current job but I beat them at interview! That was a tricky start as she had very much been led to believe the job was hers and I ended up managing her.

You shouldn’t need to list o levels. Have you asked for feedback? What kind of company is this? Maybe public sector/ third sector might be better?

I have the same issue. A friend of a similar age changed o levels to GCSEs on her cv but I can’t do that so I have just left my o levels off.
I can’t quite see however how to leave dates of my degree qualifications however!

I have a degree in a relevant subject for the jobs but the person specification usually also lists maths and English GCSE or equivalent too

Three were public sector

Public sector often insist on their own form rather than a CV and it always asks where you went to school and when.

I have asked for feedback from two so far. One said it wasnt their policy to give feedback, the other said I'd made a well presented application and scored highly against the specification but that other candidates had experience in the exact role. (It would have been a slight step up for me)

Tis your age OP

I write '7 GCSE's grades A-C' when I did O levels.

The problem with public sector jobs, like you said, is that they ask for dates of qualifications.

The job market is so ageist. You have my sympathy. I have seen roles on secs in the city stating 'you will be working in a young team'. Meaning if you are over 25 do not apply. Tech companies are notorious for it.

Also, if you have any periods of unemployment state:

2012 - 2014 - Career break due to family responsibilities.

Also, do not put two spaces after a full stop in your personal statement. This will show you are over 40!

Lie, lie and lie. Employers do on their job advertisements. Fuck em. My CV would win the Booker prize!