The view from the other side of being employed

I am one of the "99 per cent" that is not getting rich working for major corporations, playing the stock market, getting lucrative government contracts or getting paid to sit in the Senate, Parliament or Congress a few weeks per year while getting perks like free flights on government jets.

I do not own a vacation home, expensive cars, a yacht, racehorses or sports teams. In fact, my car (bought used) is six years old and won't be replaced for probably another 10 years, if it lasts that long. I do own a house, but it is 50 years old and needs a lot of repairs that I can't afford to do.

I am unemployed for the first time in over 30 years, but I do not collect employment benefits or welfare. I am too old to get work. I am too young not to work. Thankfully, the mortgage is paid off on my home, but if I don't get a job soon, I may not be able to pay the taxes on it.

How many people in North America fit part or all of this profile? Is it 99 per cent? I really don't know, but I expect you are one of them, just like me.

So, this blog will be for folks like me: not rich, maybe working or, like me, looking unsuccessfully after being employed for many years.

For me, the job search has been very upsetting. I have skills, and I thought being "mature" meant I would be an asset to a company. I thought I would find a job quickly. Turns out that being over 50 is a kiss of death, no matter how many skills you have. For example:

1. I can use correct spelling and grammar. That is a rarity these days! Apparently, it doesn't matter anymore. Even newspapers and magazines have "mistake's" like this one.

2. I have no children that get sick and need me at home or who have to be picked up at school, taken to the dentist/doctor/therapist/whatever. This means I am free to work without that scheduling problem.

3. I won't get pregnant and take months or even a whole year off, and make you hold my job open for me until I come back.

4. I have worked enough years to know the importance of taking responsibility. I won't be late to work because I was out partying with friends the night before I have to work.

5. I know how to work with the public and with people of all ages and persuasions and economic and social levels, because I have already done it for many years.

6. I know how to complete a job efficiently and properly.

But guess what? NO ONE CARES. Apparently, those things don't matter. If one person doesn't work out, there's always someone else, right? And who cares if work is done properly and words are spelled right?

Employers see my grey hair and my age (can't hide that when your resume includes an employment history) and they make assumptions. What those are, I don't know, but I can guess. "Too old to work here." "Will want to retire too soon." "Won't be committed to a long-term job." "Won't want to work for minimum wage." "Won't be happy with a low-end job after working at a higher level in the past." "Over-educated for this type of job."

It's true that many of us can't do the heavy labour or 10-hour shifts on our feet anymore. We've already done those kinds of jobs for years. Let the students do that, since they are young and can handle it — just like we used to be able to. But please, when it comes to other kinds of jobs that an older person can do competently and well, give us first crack at them!

Yes, students need jobs to pay for university. But older people who have lost their jobs can lose everything if they don't find work. When a college student needs a job, it's to pay for tuition. When an unemployed older person needs a job, it's to pay for the basics: food and shelter and heat and water. We older folks need to be given a chance, not dismissed outright because of our age.