How easy it is to say, I arrived, I met or I passed 40 years! For many of us a total and profound pride, to be able to reach 40 and more than 40 years in this world, an experience that has allowed us to treasure memories, good and bad experiences, accumulate knowledge in different areas associated with our work, create and carry our families forward, being an example for our children.
Would it be too much to ask that the entrepreneurs of our countries stop stigmatizing us or leaving us aside only because we are people over 40 years of age who are looking for a new job? I have recently read and heard about several colleagues and professionals from various disciplines, commenting on how difficult it is to get a job once we turn 40 years old. Lately the recruiters of the companies as they have orders not to contemplate to be evaluated or interviewed all those professionals who exceed 40 years of age.
What will be the reason for these actions to be taken? Is it that it is the maximum age to be able to work in our countries? Could it be that a person over 40 does not have the skills, aptitudes or attitude to carry on a work in a company ?.
Many questions arise in my mind, but my experience of 26 years of work and what I have observed in my last two jobs, is that there is a high demand for "cheap" labor for the employer, which brings people together. their undergraduate studies, recent graduates, middle technicians, with what they seek to train and mold these professionals to their own standards of each company, in some cases to sacrifice the quality and excellence of the work developed.
When we are lucky enough to be called for a job interview, I have noticed that they are not very extensive in their comments about the position on offer, they only dedicate themselves to inquire about personal aspects and other aspects that although they are important to know, they are not directly related to the job offer for which they call me at their offices. In some cases they tell you at once "you have a good curriculum, you are above the expectations we have for the person who should hold the position", or "after talking with you I realize that you are the ideal person for the position , let me discuss your case and we will return the call ", (they never return the call of course).
It is as if there is currently a belief that the current structural and / or technological changes, make a dent in the abilities and aptitudes of a person over 40 years to perform in any work environment. It is assumed that if you have been unemployed for a short time or you are working at the time of your interview, you are in tune with the structural and technological changes of the moment and therefore have the skills and aptitudes necessary to face the change towards a new job.
