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Token Interviews For The Over 40s.
One interview for an Office/Accounts Manager's position was conducted by the owner of the company, who told me all about his divorce and how he had let the company go during the time he was healing and now he had a rejuvinated interest in the business and wanted to get it growing and breaking into new markets.
Another interview for a Receptionist at a Hotel, was conducted in the hotel lounge/bar area by the manager and not in his office as the previous interviewee had done, (I know this because we arrived together and she had arrived late for the interview and was seen before me) he started telling me everything that was wrong with the hotel and also the staff that worked there,and at one point went off to answer a phone call.
Another interview was conducted over the phone with a multi-choice answer, a,b or c, this was for a phone company and when I enquired I was told they were simply doing a 'tick box' question sheet, and if I got enough points I would go through to the next round, I felt as if I was being interviewed for a TV game show.
At no point in any of these so called "interviews" was I asked about my previous experience or employment and it was left up to me to try and fit it into what felt more like a counselling session for the person conducting the interview than an actual interview for a position with their company.
I'm beginning to wonder if the over 40s are now the 'token oldie' interviewed not because there is any serious chance of us getting the job but because the company dosn't want to be accused of being 'ageist'.
It is bad enough that most of the time these days if you are over 40 you are going to be interviewed by someone younger than you, which, in some cases, can be a distinct advantage. It's bad enough that we are up against up and coming youngsters, but to now have to put up with being interviewed not for the job but so the company appears to be on the right side of discrimination, is doing nothing to instil any confidence in me that employers really are wanting to get the best person with the best experience for the job regardless of their age.
Another interview for a Receptionist at a Hotel, was conducted in the hotel lounge/bar area by the manager and not in his office as the previous interviewee had done, (I know this because we arrived together and she had arrived late for the interview and was seen before me) he started telling me everything that was wrong with the hotel and also the staff that worked there,and at one point went off to answer a phone call.
Another interview was conducted over the phone with a multi-choice answer, a,b or c, this was for a phone company and when I enquired I was told they were simply doing a 'tick box' question sheet, and if I got enough points I would go through to the next round, I felt as if I was being interviewed for a TV game show.
At no point in any of these so called "interviews" was I asked about my previous experience or employment and it was left up to me to try and fit it into what felt more like a counselling session for the person conducting the interview than an actual interview for a position with their company.
I'm beginning to wonder if the over 40s are now the 'token oldie' interviewed not because there is any serious chance of us getting the job but because the company dosn't want to be accused of being 'ageist'.
It is bad enough that most of the time these days if you are over 40 you are going to be interviewed by someone younger than you, which, in some cases, can be a distinct advantage. It's bad enough that we are up against up and coming youngsters, but to now have to put up with being interviewed not for the job but so the company appears to be on the right side of discrimination, is doing nothing to instil any confidence in me that employers really are wanting to get the best person with the best experience for the job regardless of their age.
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