I am trying to find a job right now, and it seems that being 22 is a downfall.

If anyone out there is in the position of hiring people, I have one question. Does the age of the person play a bigger part than there skills and abilities?

I would stay in the vertical transportation business, but that means traveling alot.I hardly ever had to travel with the company I used to be with. My dad lived out of a suitcase for over 10 years in the same line of work, and after seeing that I'm not ready to travel. So I am trying to find something close that I can do.

Guess i'll just keep looking until someone gives me a shot. It's just hard to get passed on because I am younger than most applicants.

 

I assume that you are talking about flying???? I dont have anything more to tell you than to keep your head up and apply to as many places as you can. What do you really want to do in life???? That is the main question! I knew getting out of High School what I wanted to do, and I was in the right place at the right time and I have a great job now. The age limit thing is not true in all places. I work for a Very Large Bank, and I am responsible for Millions of dollars worth of Equipment and I just turned 24. There are responsible young guys out there that work hard and earn everything that comes to them. Then there are the young guns that know everything and gives us Mature young men the bad wrap. Everything will work out for you as long as you know what you are capable of and you can apply yourself to that. Good Luck and never give up on what you want and know you can accomplish!!!! Rant Over!

 

Get some good guy letters. Either from your last company or from former customers/clients, or even letters of reccomendation attach them to your resume. If you dont have one put one together. The problem alot of companies have with guys your age is reliability. They figure you are more likely to party and not show the next day etc... if your not sure how to dress for an interview go overboard. Better overdressed then under. And watch your posture and body language. Make sure you act like you want the job, alot of companies are looking for people that will be there for the long haul. Good luck

 

Sorry for not including it in the earlier post, I was in the Elevator trade previously. I just keep plugging along hoping that some place will see a good employee in me.

 

I think that verbally addressing those thoughts in an interview or a first meeting with a potential employer would speak well of you ....

"Sir/Maam, I know that you may have concerns about my reliability, dedication or ability to stay on task due to my young age ... I can understand how you might feel, but let me assure you that I am completely dedicated to being a good employee and a positive asset to this organization. I have a good work ethic (this is when you hand them your "Good Guy" letters of reference) as you can see, and am willing to be where I am expected to be, when I am expected to be there, doing exactly what you are paying me to do ... without exception. I am eager to learn the things that I don't yet know and to apply the things that I DO know. You wouldn't be sorry that you hired me ... that, I can promise."

.... or something along those lines

Good luck ....
PISTOL

P.S. The Navy has elevators (really BIG ones on the aircraft carriers) ... and we need people who can work on them .

 

Speaking from my personal experience, many see younger people as inexperienced. I have been doing trim work for 8 years, and am very good at what I do (I know it sounds cocky...) But I have had homeowners tell designers that they want someone older to do the job. In one case the designer aqueisced to that request (usually the designer won't give it to someone else if they ask) and I actually had to go back and redo almost everythign that that older person that seemed to be more experienced had done. I even went out to look at a job, and was simply told when I got there that they were looking for someone older, with more experience. (I'm 23)

So really take to heart the advice given, look nice, be polite, respectful, confident, have some refrences readially avallable that can vouch for your character, and work quality. It can be a handicap, but it is something you can overcome.

 

Start with a solid resume. go buy some resume blding book/books. also while there p/u some books like "knock em dead" interview books. I was in the same boat as you 6-7 yrs ago. fresh out of college, worked for a logging outfit all thru college, to pay for it. I bought one of those voice recorders and practiced answering questions for 3 days straight before my interview. I literally knocked em dead. there was nothing they threw at me that I couldn't put a positive spin on. NEVER be negative in an interview. to me they are just good BSing sessions. Alot of college grads think they deserve a job with their piece of paper, not the case. proven experience will prevail over any degree. think of your very best accomplishments or things that you had to overcome to impress. they don't even have to be work related. expound on them too. Don't lie, but add some fluff like a good used car salesman does.

my take. good luck!

 

No crime in being 22. If you are really serious about a job with someone a hand shake, a straight look in the eye, and tell them you will be there on time every day, you don't like taking time off, and you will be the best worker he / she has ever had. Follow up the interview or meeting with a phone call the next day, and ASK FOR THE JOB!

Use your youthful exuberence to your advantage, then back it up with action.

 

"Knock 'em Dead" is a great resource for resumes...not sure about their interviewing books; never used them.

I would look for books on behavioral interviewing; thats how most corporate america interviews. Basically, give them examples on how you handle yourself. If you were in a situation like _________.....what would you do? Be sure to give POSITIVE examples. Show that you are willing to learn new things & techniques, but not so much at the sake of getting the job done late or behind schedule.

I have interviewed many people over the years who have a strong resume...They just can't make it through the interview. Either they were lying on their resume or could not articulate what they knew. Be sure to show confidence but not cocky behavior...all the positive aspects.

Also a follow up letter...I never read them, but it show eagerness, initiative, and most importantly the personal drive to close the deal. The fact that there is a follow up letter means a lot. And, don't be afraid to ask for feedback. I had a couple interviews early on that I did not make it...but their feedback was invaluable and helped me to improve!

Remember, YOU ARE SELLING YOURSELF AND YOUR SKILLS. Give them a neat, complete, professional, well rounded package.

HTH

Tony

 

I do some hiring/filtering for the company I work for, and im 22. The age you act plays more of a part than the actual age.

Depends on the position you apply for as well to how you fit in.

Age does play a part, but thats why you also look for a job that you know your experience and age can work well with.

IE dont apply for lead engineer at Intel, dont apply for Lead Warehouse Supervisor at Fed Ex, etc.

 

Definetly. Show us what youre going to bring to the table and how youre going to make us money and we hire you!

 

I select people who come to us through a core contract group. I also am responsible for training and promoting our Company employees in my department. Some of the main things I look for are basic mechanical skills, positive attitude, self motivation, good work ethic and willingness to do whatever the job requires. I don't want to hear "That's not my job". Be careful with your Resume/CV, depending on what job you are applying for you can be overqualified. If you think that you may be overqualified for the job, be sure that you state that you are willing to do even the most basic job. As an example we occasionally hire scaffolders. I think it's nice that a guy has been a scaffold foreman for 6 years. But I need to know that the guy will get out and erect scaffolding with a helper, not push a crew. The only bearing age has, is that it may limit some of the experience I need the guy to already have. hopefully you aren't more confused than when you started.

 

Thanks guys for all the advice. Hopefully all will go well in the next interview as I have been told already that I passed all the prerequisite test with great scores. The head of the HR department sounded like a nice guy on the phone, and seemed eager to meet me in person.

He called to invite me to an interview in a line position, I politely asked if there were still openings in the QA department. To my suprise he said yes quite a few on 2nd shift. He had skimmed over my application and missed the part about plasma cutting. Now my interview is for the QA department, thats about 2-3 more dollars an hour over a line worker. No matter what the outcome of the interview I believe this will be a great chance to use some skills I have accumulated through my working carrer.

He said we would go over my experience when interviewing to see where I might be most benificial. (did I say he sounded like a nice guy yet?) I think I have finally found a company that will look at experience instead of age.

Again thanks for all the tips and pointers, i'll update on how the process turns out in a few days.