Jobseekers deserve better than silence

Question:

Over the last few months, I have been looking for work in my chosen field, whether it be temporary, permanent or contract work and I am finding now that a lot of employers just don’t get back to you even when they say that they will following an interview. Or if they do get back, it’s in the form of a rejection letter.

I have 22 years’ experience and a lot of good contacts and referees from previous roles and am registered with a small group of recruiters.

Is this a sign that I am getting too old to be considered for new employment? I am 49 and have been employed recently, but only on a short-term contractual basis. I am looking to get something more long-term or even permanent, but I am unsure if hearing nothing from employers is down to laziness, under-staffed talent acquisition teams or just the way things are now. It used not to be like this. Is this a new reality of the post-Covid world of work? Is age discrimination rife everywhere now or am I being too paranoid?

Answer:

I don’t think you’re being paranoid. I think age discrimination is still a major problem in many parts of the world, including Australia. I don’t generally like to refer back to old Work Therapy columns, but a couple of years ago, I spoke with Ruth Williams from the University of Melbourne, an expert on the relationship between age and the labour market. She told me that it was “clearly a problem for older individuals who are being judged without reference to their own personal abilities and qualities”.

When I read your question I initially asked myself whether 49 is really that old. But, on reflection, I realised this is beside the point, and probably just another form of ageist thinking. If you have plenty of experience, are capable of doing the job and your date of birth is working against you in the selection process, it doesn’t matter whether you’re 19, 39 or 69 – there’s discrimination at play.

As for recruiters and potential employers not getting back to you, I think you’re right: it wasn’t like this all that long ago. Under-staffed acquisition teams could well be one reason for your submission going completely unanswered. COVID may have something to do with that, as could the size of the company in question and the priorities of management.

In some cases, it might also be a case of an enormous number of applicants making the job of replying to everyone practically impossible, no matter the size of the acquisition team. But failing to get back to someone by phone after an interview – goodness! That’s incredibly poor form. I can’t think of an excuse for that beyond the most extraordinary circumstances. Aside from anything else, it’s exceptionally rude; it shows no regard for the time and effort it takes to submit a good job application and to prepare for an interview.