WorkWise Q&A: Important to look for jobs in right places

Q: I am a young 54 year-old with a BA in Business Management and over 30 years of experience. I have been unemployed for over 17 months and have applied for over 700 jobs. Our local Workforce One experts redesigned my resume and told me that my resume is not the problem.

Are employers really NOT looking for experience, maturity and work ethic? I recently interviewed for a position and was told that I was "overqualified." The first person hired had one year out of high school with no office experience. After the third day, he quit. Another young person hired quit as well.

Why won't employers even call me for interviews? I can’t be overqualified for every job and age discrimination is supposed to be against the law.

A: A recent survey showed that over-50 job hunters are doing better finding jobs than younger workers. Age isn’t your primary problem. You’re job hunting in the wrong places.

Go where your experience and education are needed. Ads give these clues. Researching companies with older workers will open up possibilities. Use more methods requiring you to call employers. Get into the right pond. mlc

Q: Nearly 20 years ago, I lost my temper at myself and took it out on everyone around me, including my employer. Truthfully, I don’t know how bad my record is. I know of only one misdemeanor, but that seems enough to bring me down. Does every application I look at need to convict me again?

If that isn’t enough, my new wife doesn’t know about my criminal past and yes, I feel bad. Should I tell her and most assuredly end my marriage? I can get an over-the-road truck driving job, but she doesn't like that and neither do I.

I feel discriminated and not socially accepted because I am Hispanic. When I do find an employer that I'm completely honest with, they only want to take advantage of me or hold one over me because of my background.

A: You’re dragging your imprisonment into the future. Get every detail in your record so you know what you’re up against. Open up to your wife, who sees you turning your life around. Call Goodwill Industries. Get a paycheck somewhere. Do your work. Meet people. Find a better job. mlc

Dr. Mildred L. Culp welcomes your questions at culp@workwise.net. Copyright 2010 Passage Media.