Anyone recently applied for a job.

[keithphillips]

I am a mature student doing an MA at Hallam University in Sheffield and have applied for several part-time jobs to see me through my studies.

I am amazed that application forms ask you to name EVERY single job you have had since leaving school and the reasons for leaving these jobs.

Ok if you are 21 or 22 but if you are in your 40s 50s or 60s it is almost impossible to do this. To me this is blatent age discrimination. Just think of the uproar there would be if it was made more difficult for ethic minorites to get a job than others.

Any comments on this?

Keith

[Sam Slater]

Just put down the ones you remember.

Most people lie anyway.

[fudgeflaps]

They won't want reasons for leaving for most jobs- just key positions, or long-term positions from the past. Short-term stints are quite suspicious too, so you can take these out and merge the time with another job on your CV- as you are relatively mature, they shouldn't check up- a viable explanation at interview should do it.

You can also justify on your app form you've had a few jobs in your time, so just outline the main, key, jobs you've had. You can also emphasise that other, relatively minor, positions from the past can be discussed at interview.

Fret not.

[crofter]

Just put "FUCK OFF NOSEY CUNTS" on all these spaces, probably won't get too many job offers but save you a whole lot of time and hassle - hope that helps (I can give expert advice on writing CV's as well!!)

[Ace]

Prospective employers also want to know if you have made a claim against any previous employers as well.
With ID fraud on the up, I NEVER disclose my NI number or DoB on an application. Fuck that!
Crofter has the right idea if you ask me!!

[crofter]

But then again if you are an Asylum Seeker I don't foresee too many problems.

[keithphillips]

Well I doubt that they will have one application form for one set of people and another easier one for Asylum seekers, but my main point is that it is age discrimination inasmuch as it makes it harder for older people to get a job.

Perhaps there's such a thing as the age discrimination board I can contact .

Keith

[Lizard]

Actually Kieth Crofter is not that far off the mark, you would need to explain to them that as a mature student you have had a succsession(sp) of jobs going back in time, and are prepared to disclose the last three, which would be about normal, if I take anyone on-- character references are far more important, even from the last job only, failing that, point out that you sense age discrimination, failing that take crofters advice, tell em to fuck themselves.

[randyandy]

There are many reasons for them to ask for the information but age discrimination isn't one of them.

Employers almost shit themselves if anything even near the D word is used.

One main one is to seek commitment and weed out the people who flit from job to job.

If you can't remember them all just put the ones you can with approx by the dates for period of employment.

I am in the same boat as you the thing that is pissing me off the most is that the jobs advertised aren't the ones that are listed when the application arrives or are the ones advertised with a load of add ons to them.

Last interview I had I walked out after asking them if they were actually of the staff they needed. !idontbelieveit!

[keithphillips]

Lizard,

I did this on one occasion and they said it was a no go because it was company policy that every job every had is disclosed.

Not only is this harder for an older person to do, it also means that the person going through the applications is more likely to pick a younger person as their application form is much easier to read and check.

Keith