Regina Brenner (57) has been looking for a job for years but has not been successful: “I just get rejected and I ask myself: Is it because of my age?”

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Regina Brenner’s (57) CV says “personal development”. That’s a nicer way to say it: I’m looking for a job. The 57-year-old man has been looking for a new job for almost two years. Unsuccessful. “I just get rejected and I ask myself the question: Is it because of my age?” the manager said in an interview with Blick. said.

The result is clear: Older workers have a harder time finding work. Especially in this period when the economy is weakening and there are renewed waves of layoffs in the labor market. Employers pay high wages to people over 50 due to high pension fund contributions. In addition, there are prejudices that they are low-motivated, not dynamic, and have learning difficulties; In short, they have already taken one step and retired. Those affected repeatedly report to Blick the difficulty of looking for a job when they are over 50.

Numbers hide reality for those affected

According to official figures from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco), unemployment in Switzerland is at 2.5 percent across all age groups. It’s not as low as last summer, when the value was a record low of 1.9 percent. However, in a long-term comparison the value remains low.

The unemployment rate for people over 50 is sometimes even below the average: The unemployment rate for people aged 55-59 is around 2.2 percent. But these figures ignore those who no longer appear in the statistics: because they were eliminated after two years of unsuccessful job searches.

A fate that will threaten Regina Brenner in the spring if she doesn’t find a new job soon. “I probably sent out 200 or 300 applications, wondering what to do,” says the 57-year-old from Aargau. “Rejection usually comes quickly. I think it’s a shame they didn’t even give me a chance.” The longer those affected like you remain unemployed, the less chance they have of returning to the job market.

Jumping over his shadow

Brenner has many years of experience as a manager in mechanical engineering as well as in the medical and chemical industries, having worked at major companies such as BASF, Bucher and Zimmer, among others. He lost his last job due to restructuring.

To prevent this from being contained, Brenner was even willing to leave Wettingen AG for a new job. “I’m also looking at Zurich and eastern Switzerland,” he says. Unemployment destroys self-confidence and fuels existential fears. “I’m ashamed of it and I rarely leave the house anymore,” Brenner admits.

Even after hundreds of rejections, Brenner doesn’t want to lose hope. “I want a job with a management function, preferably in a company with a concrete product,” the 57-year-old actor said. There is still time until the end of May. Brenner wants to leave no stone unturned until the coming balance is achieved. We also don’t pay attention to the cry for help.

Source :Blick