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Discussion

Feeling Slighted...

Hello Everyone,

I am looking for some advice and venting some too. I am 40 years old and I recently passed my boards yay!!!! I have been on a couple interviews already but there was one position that I was praying I would get. I went on a interview and then was called back for a second one. I thought both went well. After 3 weeks of waiting I received the dreaded email that I was not "qualified" for the position. Now I know for a fact that 4 of my classmates all in their 20s were recently hired. Here I am sitting on over 17 years of experience in healthcare and was not considered qualified. I really feel like it was because of my age. I am so disappointed. Has anyone else had this happen? Any advice? Please no rude comments. Genuinely looking for interview advice to be able to stand out. TIA!!

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    • Featured Replies

    Don't sweat stuff like this.

    I am in my 20's, and when I first became a nurse I applied to hundreds of jobs before getting two interviews and one offer.

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    See if your school has a career counseling department. They usually have resume and interview assistance. If your school does not have the career counseling department, then find a friend/ relative that is management and ask if you can do a mock interview with them including the outfit you intend to wear to a real interview. The problem may be your interview and not your age.

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    • Expert

    I have faced overt age discrimination and have read that others have dealt with the same. About the only thing you can do is to persist in your job search. Age discrimination is almost impossible to prove, so don't waste time or energy on the idea of fighting it. Better to concentrate on ramped up job hunting efforts.

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    • Author

    Thank you everyone. I know it is a waste of my energy to wonder if that was the reason or not but I just can't shake the feeling that was why. I racked my brain trying to figure out if I said or did something wrong...My school did offer this service and we had a professional day where we had to come in prepared in appropriate interview attire as well as bring our resume and they critiqued us. I had a professional do my resume and received compliments from the interviewers on it. I know I am not perfect and I stumbled on a couple of questions but they kept telling me good answer. I don't know just seems weird. If anything it felt good to vent to fellow nurses who might understand and offer the much appreciated advice! That is why I love this sight!

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    • Expert

    Did you stumble over some questions in the actual interview (or was that in a school exercise)? If you stumbled during the interview, that could have been enough to take you out of the running. Even if they were re-assuring to you at the time, they may have just been "being polite" and trying to help you through the interview by being encouraging and supportive.

    When a young person on their first job interview stumbles a few times, people tend to say, "She's young, nervous, inexperienced, etc. -- but she's teachable and we'll give her a chance." However, when an older person stumble during an interview, the tendency is to be less generous. "Gee, she's experienced in the work world, she should be able to handle this interview without so many stumbles. Is there a problem with her?"

    Is that a form of age discrimination? Yes. But it is based on genuine concerns that factor into the final hiring decision.

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    • Author

    I see your point and it makes sense. By stumble I mean my answer didn't come out the way I reheorificed it in my head at home. Typical interview questions I answered with the manager but stumbled when it came to the peer interview. Was not a smooth delivery. Funny when they first introduced themselves to me first thing they said was relax this is informal and nothing to be nervous about...WRONG lol oh well I need to look at it as a learning experience and knock it out of the park on my interview next week with a different institution.

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    Funny I am seeing this today. I feel kinda slighted. I am with a non profit organization. I am an LPN they offered me a position they "created for me" as a LPN Liason the salary I currently received as intake coordinator is $47,500 they offered what is equivalent to a whooping $0.55 after I stated I did not think a lateral position change was in my best interest. I am thinking about working the position, getting the experience and moving on I do not think they value employees here. They actually need a marketing person. AM I being ridiculous because my currently salary is higher than the average LPN salary or is that even the truth? Just venting....single mom blues

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    • Author

    I completely understand! I think that was the point of my post too...just to vent. If I was in your shoes I would get the experience then move on. Maybe this is an opportunity to see the different paths you can take with nursing and who knows this could probably lead to bigger and better things in your future!!

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    We're the same age..hi there. :) I wondered the same thing, honestly. I went on 6 interviews total and received two job offers. The first two interviews both went well and yet I wasn't selected. It could have been anything. I don't have CNA experience and other applicants likely did. Who knows. It could have been age. Maybe not. I dyed my hair so I looked younger. Did that help me get the later job offers? No idea.

    Honestly, I think the early interviews helped me gather myself for the later ones. I knocked those out of the park and now I'm employed. It will happen. Be patient.

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