I WAS recently made redundant from my job as a Senior Analyst with an Investment bank in Sydney as my job plus 17 other colleague's jobs were being moved off-shore due to cost cutting exercise by the bank's Senior Management.
A story that is so often seen nowadays. Yes, I had to train overseas colleagues how to do the work.
I thought, in my naivety, that it would be easy for me to get another job. How wrong could I be.
Taking an example of applying for 50 jobs over 6 months, this is what was achieved:
No replies 45 (90%)
Replies - Position filled 03 (06%)
Replies - Don't meet criteria 02 (04%)
Actual Interviews 01
I am reasonably conversant with Apple OS X and Windows, very conversant with Microsoft Office, yet one employment agency told me I was over-qualified for the type of jobs that were available in this area.
I can work out figures when the power goes out and the PCs suddenly stand idle.
I have been in shipping/broking/commerce and banking for 40 years.
It appears that employers are not interested in the expertise I have gained over the years.
It must be the fact that I am 60 years of age and must, therefore, be perceived as a liability rather than an asset.
It is very disappointing and saddening to see that older people who are still capable of working and want to work are being turned away from job opportunities.
It is also very disappointing to note that 90 per cent of prospective employers that were written to did not even have the courtesy to reply.
STEVE BLINKHORN
Moss Vale
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