Dear Abby: I tried to fuzz my resume, but I'm still striking out with employers

"I have volunteered previously, starting at the bottom, while working a full-time job. I was so distraught last week after another failed interview that I threatened to give away my scrubs and deleted the job vacancy announcements from my email account. I cannot speak directly to prospective employers because everything is done by computer these days, and the computer is very specific in what it will take. I deleted work dates on my resume, but one company I interviewed with specifically asked me about them."

"In some cases, younger workers have an advantage over older ones because of ageist hiring practices. If you had a good relationship with the staff at the veterinary practice you volunteered with, consider discussing your problem with them and ask if they can offer any insight. It might also be worth your while to contact your county department of senior services to ask for information about older adult employment opportunities. You may not be able to get your dream job, but you might be able to get something in a related field."

"About 35 years ago, they started a tradition of having an elaborate party near their birthdays. My siblings and I were grown. The guests were their friends, and we were mostly bored out of our minds. As we married and had kids, we were invited to our own friends' holiday parties but were made to feel extremely guilty if we tried to skip our parents' party. The older they got, the more they expected us to set up, cook and tear down."

An older job seeker approaching retirement age aims to begin a second career in the veterinary industry but encounters resistance and apparent ageist hiring practices. Volunteer experience and starting at the bottom while working full time did not lead to paid employment. Computerized application systems limit direct contact with employers and create precise requirements that prove difficult to meet. Resume date removal led to direct questioning in interviews and increasing emotional distress. Suggested actions include consulting volunteer contacts at the clinic, contacting county senior services for older adult employment opportunities, and exploring related roles if the preferred position is unattainable.

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