Formerly Unemployed Resident Brings Hope to Older Workers

Though with age comes wisdom, a distant birth date on a job application can serve as a mark of failure for the employment prospects of older workers.

Shortly after she lost her husband and left her position as a CPA in 2005, 63-year-old Diane Young of South San Francisco felt the sting of age discrimination as she struggled to seek employment and maintain financial stability.

“The new euphemism for age discrimination is that you’re overqualified,” Young said. “It might be the elephant on the room, but it’s there.”

Interview after interview, Young was denied employment and was forced to give up her car and move out of her apartment.

“I was at a point where I was in dire financial strains,” she said.

Young said she has never fit the stereotype of her chronological age. With her background of administrative skills, she kept up to date with her skills and always sought to acquire new abilities.

Young began working for various temp agencies but experienced a plunge of work once the economy began a downward spiral.

“As the economy started taking a turn, the temp agencies were called less and less,” Young said. “The economy was good then. I didn’t stop to think that I’m now considered an older worker.”

With an aging nation, many American seniors have felt the stigma of age discrimination. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers over the age of 55 remain unemployed for longer and are more likely to face long-term unemployment.

By 2007, Young found herself completely unemployed and along the ranks of the 23 percent of older workers who struggle in long-term unemployment.

That is until she met Brenda Brown.

Young attended a workshop held at Peninsula Family Service by Brown and soon became a employee of a organization that has renewed her life.

As part of the Second Careers Employment Program, in May 2009 Young began assisting older workers in attaining employment.

Young manages workshops, critiques resumes and lends a sympathetic ear to those who have been caught under the crushing recession.

“She has a very positive spirit because many of our clients come to us very depressed,” said Brenda Brown of Peninsula Family Service. “She’s always able to tell her story and give positive hope.”

Because of her history with unemployment, Young feels she can better understand the emotions of older workers.

“Gone are the days of help wanted signs on windows,” she said. “You need basic computer skills just to apply.”

Young teaches these skills as well as interviewing techniques and clarifies any confusion surrounding the application process.

“I wish I was an employment agency,” she said. “I can’t guarantee you a job, but I like to consider myself your silent job search partner.”

Brown nominated Young for the Peninsula Family Service 16th Annual Winners Celebration. Young will be recognized for her service to older workers Thursday night.

“I can always rely on her, so I felt she deserved to be recognized,” Brown said.

For Young, this is just another honor from Peninsula Family Service.

“To me, getting this position gave me back my self-esteem,” Young said. “It’s given me the ability to use the skills I have, enhance those skills and most importantly gain new ones.”

The position Young currently holds is temporary but she remains optimistic.

“I would love to stay in a job development environment,” she said.

Brown praised Young’s professionalism and said she would serve as a reference any day.

Though Young will soon again begin her job search, she leaves Peninsula Family Service with additional skills, compassionate allies and a revamped passion to make a difference for older workers.

“Sometimes work experience and work ethic trumps age,” she said.