Opinion on jobs/interviews

[wanderingenough]

My mom has been in retail management for about 20 years. She was laid off late last year and has been struggling to find work. My guess would be it's partially due to some age discrimination. Why hire a 60 year old for 20 years of experience worth of pay (with no degree), when young college grads are desperate for jobs and taking half that. Ya know? I helped her with her Linkedin and resume/cover letter over the holidays. She had a phone screen with TJMaxx for an Asst Man position today and thinks it went well. Do I need to tell her to get a suit for an interview? I know money is tight for her and I'm wondering if she can get away with a nice blouse, dark cardi, and slacks. I'm used to suits only, but I'm not sure she had ever owned one and I don't want to stress her out (sending her suit shopping alone and with limited funds). Thoughts?

[HoneySpider]

I don't think it's necessary if she's on a tight budget. As long as she looks polished I would think it would be ok.

I'm sorry she's going through this, my dad is the same age and also having a hard time, age discrimination is real

[wanderingenough]

Thanks HoneySpider! I know. The whole thing is frustrating. The majority of the population isn't poised to retire at 65 anymore, but hiring managers still think "they'll only be here a couple years." FX that your dad and my mom find something great!

[wanderingenough]

Jan 13, 2015 19:58:14 GMT -5 @moonbeam said:

My mom is actually going through the exact same thing right now. She applied at 30 different places to no avail, only to find out someone 40 years younger was hired for the job.

That's so frustrating!

[megkat]

Yeah, I interview people at my job, and I wouldn't think anything if she came in without a suit, as long as she looked polished and put together. I feel like suits are ideal, but not the be all and end all. Anecdote, I interviewed for two jobs a while back- wore a suit to one interview and not the other, and got an offer from the one I didn't wear a suit too.

[HoneySpider]

wanderingenough keep us posted, I hope she gets the job!

[MrsMB]

Yeah keep us posted! The outfit you described sounds very nice and appropriate.

[estrellita]

I agree that the outfit sounds fine. I think a suit would maybe even be too much for a position like that? I've never worn a suit to an interview, just nice dress pants and a dress shirt (typically a button up collared shirt). But then again I've never interviewed for anything that might require something like that Good luck to her!