Over 50s Job Discrimination – New study finds older workers 25 times less likely to get a job interview

Article by Ceri Wheeldon

An article in the Telegraph highlights worrying new research on age discrimination – indicating that women over 50 are 25 times less likely to get a job interview than women in their late 20s even when they had the same level of job qualifications AND more experience read full article in Telegraph.

At a time when we are living longer and are expected to work for longer with changes in pension legislation increasing the age at which we are entitled to a state pension and with the elimination of the default retirement age this is obviously an issue that needs to be addressed.

In theory legislation is in place to prevent age discrimination, but in practice legislation cannot change attitudes. I witnessed this first hand in my 28 year career as a headhunter. A lot more work needs to be done to bring about a shift in perception of older workers , their values and capabilities .

Of course many women over 50 are simply not seeking up jobs and taking the opportunity to set up heir own businesses – but this is not an option for everyone.

There is a lot we, as women over 50 in the workplace can do to play our part. We must maximise our potential for success at every stage of the jobsearch and recruitment process.

Here is a list of helpful ‘tips’ articles. I am also in the process of putting together an online jobsearch course aimed specifically at those over 50 looking for work. If you want to be amongst the fitst to know when it is launched simply email me at Editor@fabafterfifty.com and write ‘jobsearch’ in the header- I will let you know as soon as it is available.

In the meantime, here are the tips!