Am I over the hill??

[Bigfellah]

I am 58 and was made redundant from a senior position in an International Bank in the City in 2002. Being an honest injun I included my full work history on my CV although since October this year I have reduced the detail to the most recent appropriate details. This in response to the new Age Discrimination at Work Laws.

Since 2002 I have applied for numerous jobs advertised by Recruitment Agencies in the City. All the jobs I apply for are within my field of Banking and I could "do the job"! However many agencies seem to think that I have "too much experience" for the advertised job. I ask the consultant whether he/she has actually submitted my CV to the Bank in question to let them decide and the answer is usually "No! The client would not look at you with all that experience." There then follows a debate as to whether the consultant is helping me find a job or helping the employer find a "young person" for the job.

The consultant is naturally very careful in what he/she says.

I have the skills required and could possibly do the tasks to be performed "blindfold" as it were.

I am very cynical now and assume that this is all down to Age Discrimination but actually proving that is quite difficult.

Has anyone got any suggestions as to getting round this problem?

[pingping]

are you also applying for jobs direct with the employers and not just through agencies? I have always found recruitment agenscies to be more of a hindrance than a help in finding a job as they only put forward some candidates and not everyone suitable (they always have an idea of who THEY think would be appropriate).

Also, having now been on the recruiting side of the fence, i have used agencies once or twice to find staff, and have always been dissatisfied with the candidates put forward as what they may consider suitable doesn't always match what I consider suitable!. we have now stopped using agencies and advertise in the national press instead.

when applying for jobs, try not to disclose your age either through employment history, or through education dates (unless specifically asked).

also, have you thought about applying for jobs in a different sector (where you could apply your transferable skills such as project / people / budgetary management) as other sectors may be less 'cut throat'?

good luck with your searching and I hope you find something soon.

[dolly pond]

I would employ you for your wisdom and experience.

[Bigfellah]

Dolly, thanks for the vote of confidence. In what field of employment are you? Maybe I could be of use. How does one get to contact through this site? Maybe I can post my email address here but that may be against their policy. Any suggestions?

Pingping, thank you too for your input. I have been applying direct as well but still I get a mixed response - either a letter from the institution in question advising that they are not hiring at that time and thet they will hold my details for six months or no reply whatsoever.

I have tried in a different job sector but sadly the firms I have approached are not interested enough to even acknowledge my application.

[dolly pond]

I moved from essex to birmingham 5 years ago, and wrote to 60 companies with a cv and letter, all personally addressed to the manager, got only a handful of responses and i was 31. I got a good job out of it though so perservere. Play down your skills as some people could feel intimidated by you and worry that you will outshine them. I employed a lady who was 60 but with experience and she was fab, some of the staff didnt like her cos of her age, but she worked really hard, was good fun and the customers adored her (estate agents we are). Try something different and shoe yourself as easy going and not toooooo clever!

[dolly pond]

i meant, Show, not shoe x

[Bigfellah]

Thanks again. I have tried playing down my skills on paper, but when I am fortunate enough to get an interview, then I tend to answer maybe too honestly and give the game away as it were. Even when interviewed by agency consultants I open up - maybe they pass everything on to employers. I did some part time work for an Estate Agency (telephone canvassing) but that did not inspire me too much. Is yours a nationwide agency? Maybe I could try the local office and see what's available! Once again many thanks for the feedback.

[dolly pond]

I work for a corporate, very busy office, lower end of market "chimney pot" market. Sell mortgages, solicitors, etc. Hard work but great when you get a first time buyer through to completion and its been a difficult sale, satisfying most days. loads of targets.
Do you want part or full time?

[Bigfellah]

Once again thanks for feedback.

Full time or part time - whatever comes along - I am reasonably flexible. I do part time work locally at the moment - driving minibuses on school runs for special needs kids and also an independent Girls' school locally. But I enjoy driving and I find it rather relaxing even in London traffic! It's always the the other drivers on the road that cause the grief! (LOL!)

I've never really been in a "selling" environment as such. Also I do not have the appropriate qualifications for giving advice on Mortgages etc. So maybe that is not the right direction. Where I could be useful though is in the administration area. I am treasurer for a few charities and have plenty of experience in bookkeeping up to TB stage. Also some SAGE experience for smaller entities ie one man bands etc.

[dolly pond]

you sound like a great employeeeeeee. How about a driving instructor?

[Bigfellah]

Hi Dolly. Funny you should mention that. I looked at that a couple of years ago! But the cash situation at the time was a wee bit critical and I did not have the �3.5k and now still don't! With the part time bus driving experience I have contacted a couple of coach companies recently and still await their responses - positive and negative! I would still have to do a lot of training but the advantage there is that the company would pay and once qualified I would have to agree to stay a certain length of time before moving on. Better than trying to find �3.5k!

[Bigfellah]

Linda G, been there done that and got the DVD!!!! Am now back in full time employment in a Bank. However I still keep an interest in a similar business which is more international than your one. Recently Poland joined and things really took off. Where are you guys based? Maybe I could send you some details?

All the best and thanks for taking time to suggest something.