Are You Over Qualified?

It’s a toss up these days. Which way to go is a thing to ponder. You have so many ways, to search for a job and it gets even harder, to get one in the public realm. There are so many people out of work. Some by choice, some from lay-off’s, retirements, company closings. It’s a problem, many people endure, daily.

If your over 50 years of age, here comes the problem, right? You go to an interview, and what happens? You know all too well, what happened, when you get a letter saying, you were “over qualified”, for the position. I’ve been there done that.

Oh they say, they are an equal opportunity employer. Not so, if your not young and just starting out then they don’t want you. They want the dashing young men in the offices. The cute sexy, tailered young ladies, have to be on the front desks, to cater to the executives. Administrative assistant, consists of a well dressed, college professors, with 1 to 2 masters degrees in business administration, under the age of 40.

If you don’t have a good background in some high powered originization, by the time your in your 40’s, good luck on the position, you will be offered. Many older people, are thankful to be accepted for medial jobs, that rarely pay more than $7.00 to $10.00 per hour.

“Over qualified”, is a term used to really say, your “too old” and we want someone younger in the position. I’ve also, been told that, I probably wouldn’t stay with the job, because I wouldn’t be getting the pay I had been accustomed to. So, they decided not to hire me, based on that. They never ask if you just want a job closer to home, so you don’t have to drive so far. They never ask if your just wanting to supplement your social security or your spouse’s income. It’s always, “wow, your really qualified for a better position, than this one”, why do you want this job? Not very often do you find an company that wants an employee, experienced and mature enough to appreciate a good paying job. It’s very easy to get discouraged, when trying to get employment at an older age. I’m sure many of you have suffered the same indignities, I have. It would be nice to be able to speak out without reprecussions. I know there are advocates out there, but they’re never where we need them to be, when it’s our problem happening. It’s very embarrassing, to have to ask for help, after all that we’ve been through in the past years. We’ve worked hard and deserve respect, that we don’t get. Yet, we keep trying, rather than give up.