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Older workers are difficult to get a job?
Posted: Wed, 22 Feb 2006 9:39 pm
by e2rd2006
Here is email forwarded by my friend :
"It is indeed harsh reality in Singapore that when you
are over 35, human resource practitioners would put
your resume at the bottom of the pile.
It does not matter whether your experience is
relevant.
It does not matter even if you lower your salary
expectations to beat the younger competitors.
Employers prefer someone younger. Period.
This is very daunting as more and more people will be
falling into the over 35 age bracket. "
Is it true? I feel pesimistic because I am 36 years old now

and trying to get a job in singapore
EDWARD
Posted: Thu, 23 Feb 2006 6:16 pm
by Cheekybeek
I think 36 is Ok, but older, fatter, uglier, foreigner all have trouble finding work in Singapore.
Posted: Thu, 23 Feb 2006 7:55 pm
by Vaucluse
Cheekybeek wrote:I think 36 is Ok, but older, fatter, uglier, foreigner all have trouble finding work in Singapore.

I got one despite this description.
Well, ageism is certainly a factor here as anywhere. Older workers have more experience, hence are entitled to be paid more, and let's not even get into pensions and stuff.
I have found, however, that when I hire people in anything from mid to upper levels I wil discount anyone under 35 almost automatically as the world-wise quality will be missing from the younger set. (Not 100% effective, of course)
Just play to your strengths; experience, experience and knowledge
Posted: Fri, 24 Feb 2006 10:27 am
by Siong2
Jobs sure can find de, it's expectation that matters.....
Posted: Fri, 24 Feb 2006 11:31 am
by Cheekybeek
Vaucluse wrote:Cheekybeek wrote:I think 36 is Ok, but older, fatter, uglier, foreigner all have trouble finding work in Singapore.

I got one despite this description.
Good for you Vaucluse, obviously nothing's impossible.
Posted: Fri, 24 Feb 2006 2:25 pm
by Vaucluse
Cheekybeek wrote:Vaucluse wrote:Cheekybeek wrote:I think 36 is Ok, but older, fatter, uglier, foreigner all have trouble finding work in Singapore.

I got one despite this description.
Good for you Vaucluse, obviously nothing's impossible.
Indeed, if I can get a job, anyone can
Posted: Fri, 24 Feb 2006 2:41 pm
by Trish
Vaucluse wrote:Cheekybeek wrote:Vaucluse wrote:

I got one despite this description.
Good for you Vaucluse, obviously nothing's impossible.
Indeed, if I can get a job, anyone can
True!!!!

Posted: Sat, 25 Feb 2006 8:49 am
by Vaucluse
Trish wrote:Vaucluse wrote:Cheekybeek wrote:
Good for you Vaucluse, obviously nothing's impossible.
Indeed, if I can get a job, anyone can
True!!!!

Yes Trish, all I needed was my postgrad economics degree, 13 years of excellent work history, a great personality and my youthful good looks.
See, you can do it too, despite your looks and personality.

Posted: Sat, 25 Feb 2006 10:18 am
by Trish
Haha. With all those qualities that you had mentioned as per above, of course you will be successful in your career and definitely have no problem finding a secure job. I was just wondering how old are you. (hee.no offence.)
I feel that nowadays an individual's working experience is very important. They just won't select you or bother to shortlist you for an interview if you have the correct qualification but irrelevant working experience

. However with the right combination of education and experience, you might also won't get the job. Of course, you also have to project confidence and enthusiasm in order to be successful in the interview.

Posted: Sat, 25 Feb 2006 10:30 pm
by Vaucluse
Trish wrote:Haha. With all those qualities that you had mentioned as per above, of course you will be successful in your career and definitely have no problem finding a secure job. I was just wondering how old are you. (hee.no offence.)
I feel that nowadays an individual's working experience is very important. They just won't select you or bother to shortlist you for an interview if you have the correct qualification but irrelevant working experience

. However with the right combination of education and experience, you might also won't get the job. Of course, you also have to project confidence and enthusiasm in order to be successful in the interview.

Absoluetly right, Trish. How come you make so much sense vis-a-vis so many others here.
When I interview people (I think I must have interviewed at least 500 in the last few years and hired probably 80 or 90) the most important things are - in no particular order:
Neat appearance (don't care if it's for a Salesguy or VP Marketing)
Experience
Comfort
Fluency in the respective language I can gauge
CV's are so full of bullshit, they really aren't worth the paper they're written on.
Posted: Sat, 25 Feb 2006 11:35 pm
by sundaymorningstaple
Vaucluse wrote:CV's are so full of bullshit, they really aren't worth the paper they're written on.
As a Headhunter and former Recruiter, with better than 5 thousand interviews and reading an average of 100-150 CVs a week for the past 12 years I can absolutely agree with you 100%. 'Bout the only thing they are good for is to tell you where he went to school and who he worked for. And if they are a Asian, their Race, Religion, Marital Status and age. Oh yes, I forgot to add, a picture as well just incase the person is Ugly! As if that makes a damn on whether or not the person can do the job.

Posted: Sun, 26 Feb 2006 9:35 am
by Vaucluse
Yup, I've wondered about the photo bit - total crap. As you said, SMS, why would your looks be a factor . . .
Posted: Mon, 27 Feb 2006 11:07 am
by donno
vancluse,
is that the picture of you?? how old are you??
haha
Posted: Mon, 27 Feb 2006 2:55 pm
by Vaucluse
Yes it is my picture and I am 32 years old.
Would you like to go on a date - don't worry you will get used to peole staring at us because of my handsome features.
Posted: Mon, 27 Feb 2006 3:50 pm
by Cheekybeek
SMS have you done every job there is to do in the world? Seems like you have hads heaps of different experiences.
I rang up for a job today that has walk in interviews all this week for about 10 types of positions in a hotel. I asked to speak to the HR person and when I introduced myself and said I was interested in attending the walk-in etc she just said 'what's your nationality, do you have PR' I answer no she says 'all jobs are filled'. I have a job lined up for July but it isn't my ideal job but as I'm only on a social pass I guess beggars can't be choosers.