It really is harder to find a job as you get older

It really is harder to find a job as you get olderIt really is harder to find a job as you get olderThe largest-ever study of age discrimination has found that employers regularly overlook middle-aged and older workersbased only on their resums.The San Francisco Federal Reserve released the results of a comprehensive study that was designed to nail down one of the toughest herausforderungs in hiring whether employers are willing to hire people over 49 years old. Its a crucial question not just for workers who are getting older, but for the entire United States economy, because the huge Baby Boomer generation is at or near retirement age, and Gen X isnt that far behind.The key questions the Fed looked to answer is age discrimination a broad trend in the U.S., and can it be proven?The answers yes, older workers are routinely ruled out for even low-skilled jobs. And yes, is also a real trend the Federal Reserve sent out 40,000 resums for 13,000 positions to show how widespread the probl em is.There is a distinct pattern of callback rates being highest for the young applicants, lower for the middle-aged applicants, and lowest for the old applicants, the researchers concluded.Not only did employers skip over older applicants more often for all jobs, but women face worse age discrimination than men, the Federal Reserve said in a white paper.In one example, older women received 47% fewer callbacks for administrative jobs than younger women. Men did not experience the same sharp, obvious differences in treatment from employers For male job applicants- in sales, security, and janitor jobs- there is also a lower callback rate for older men in general. But in this case the age pattern is not as consistent or pronounced.Why are older women getting fewer callbacks? It may not just be age, but looks.We do not have evidence on why age discrimination may be worse for older women, but it could be because applicant appearance matters in ur sample of low-skilled jobs, and the effe cts of aging on physical appearance are evaluated more harshly for women than for men, the researchers wrote.That backs up previous studies that show that looks affect whether women get or keep a job, regardless of whether the women are considered beautiful or unattractive.To test their theory, the Fed researchers created fake resums in age groups including workers 29-31 years old for young workers, 49-51 years old for middle-aged workers, and 64-66 years old for the older workers.The resums covered 13,000 positions, mostly low-skilled ones for administrative assistants, janitors and retail sales. They sent only womens resums for the administrative jobs and only mens resums for the janitorial ones, and both genders for the retail sales.The Federal Reserve research noted that employers who discriminate on the basis of age are taking a big risk Whether such discrimination is based on outright dislike or stereotyping about group characteristics, it is illegal under U.S. civil rights la ws.

How to Recognize Round Characters in Fiction

How to Recognize Round Characters in FictionHow to Recognize Round Characters in FictionIn works of fiction, a round character is a significant player who is often the star of the story. This type of character encounters conflict and is changed by it. Round characters tend to be more developed than the flat characters, which are incidental. If you think of the characters you most love in fiction, they probably seem as real to you as people you know. This is a good indication that they are round characters. Most Protagonists Are Round Characters The protagonist of almost every work of fiction is a round character. These main characters engage the readers imagination and empathy, making it possible for the reader to imagine themselves in their shoes. Often, the protagonists personal growth mirrors the readers hopes and dreams. Literary fiction usually revolves around a process of growth and change with a character whose experience reflects this and provides the primary substance of the story. All of Jane Austens heroines, for example, discover that their girlish assumptions and expectations are naive, which influences them to change their perspectives and make decisions based on personal discovery and growth. Creating Round Characters A writer develops a character and makes them round by employing several tools or elements such as description anddialogue. A characters responses to conflict and their internal dialogue are also revelatory and serve to create a multi-dimensional character. Creating truly believable characters takes time, diligence, and study of the works of the best literary authors. There are also specific questions you can ask to determine if the character youre writing about is a round or flat character. Where does your character live?Where is your character from?How old is your character?What is your character called?What does your character look like?What kind of childhood did your character have?What does your character do for a living ?How does your character deal with conflict or change?Who else is in your characters life?What is your characters goal or motivation in this story or scene? Examples of Round Characters Even genre novels, such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien, gain much of its power through the development of round characters. These stories are satisfying because several of the main characters overcome their limitations or self-doubt to become stronger. Consider these examples Frodo the hobbit and his friend Sam both discover unexpected depths of personal commitment, physical and emotional strength, and dedication to a cause.Gandalf, the wizard, discovers that the trust he placed in his fellow wizards welches misplaced and, as a result, becomes a stronger magical character.Aragorn, the heir to a long line of kings, has given up his title. But, throughout the stories, he discovers his own leadership skills and learns that he can, and should, reclaim his crown. The Literary Ex ceptions There are, of course, exceptions to this rule, mainly in genre fiction, as opposed to literary fiction. For example, Agatha Christies detective Hercule Poirot does not grow or change as a result of his crime-solving activities. The works of Charles Dickens often center on two-dimensional characters like Oliver Twist and David Copperfield. These characters have few personal qualities or motivations. They are essentially pawns who are used and abused by others. While their conditions change over the course of the story, they change very little or not at all. These works maintain their literary importance because their purpose is not to create and explore character, but rather to delve into stories of economic and social injustice.

4 Ways to Boost Your Attitude for Job Search Success

4 Ways to Boost Your Attitude for Job Search Success4 Ways to Boost Your Attitude for Job Search Success4 Ways to Boost Your Attitude for Job Search SuccessBrian Ray (pictured) is founder of Crossroads Career Network, a national, non-profit membership of churches that provides online job search/ career resources and access to career groups. He is also author of the 2010 Crossroads Career Workbook, owner of Primus Consulting executive search, and former vice president for human resources and administration for Chick-fil-A restaurants.Eighty-five percent of the reason people get jobs and get ahead in those jobs is because of attitude, reads a stunning statement by world-famous motivational speaker and author Zig Ziglar in his book Over the Top.Yet, most people who are at a crossroads in their careers walk around with a mixed attitude, more of it negative than positive. For exampleIf youre unemployed, you may be stunned, hurt, angry, fearful, depressed, guilty, or ashamed. Or, your feel ings may reflect relief, renewed energy, and a positive outlook about a new future.If youre misemployed in a job or with a company you dont like, you may feel miserable, anxious, frustrated, restless, or confused. On the other hand, you may feel filled with hope, excitement, or anticipation of better things.If youre happily employed, but looking for something better, you may feel incomplete even though everything is going smoothly. Or, you may feel happy that you have the luxury of a paycheck while you seek deeper meaning and purpose in work.How Do You tarif?If you could measure it on an Attitude-O-Meter, what would your attitude score on a scale of 0 (the worst) to 10 (most joyful)? Be honest with yourself and pick the number that reflects your attitude right this minute. Got it? Now, if its less than 10, pick a higher number you can work toward, then follow these four steps starting today4 Ways to Pump Up Your AttitudeMake a decision, and be happy. Once you pick a higher number on your Attitude-O-Meter, put on a happy face. Dont just fake it til you make it focus only on good thoughts and behave in positive ways even in the midst of being used, abused, and refused.Accept loss, and forgive. If youve lost your job (or youre in a job you wish you could lose), admit, understand, and grieve the loss. Anger often accompanies loss, wrath runs through your veins, and bitterness may begin to pool in your stomach. Maybe youre blaming others your boss, a coworker, someone else, or even yourself. The key to overcoming anger is to forgive everyone involved privately - that is, to yourself - not for their benefit, but yours.Accept opportunity and face fear. This is the first day of the rest of your life. If your life is a journey, are you headed in the right direction? There are thousands of occupations and industries, each with thousands of employers and workers. You may be anxious, maybe even terrified. But you can face the fear by exercising love, power, discipline, fa ith, and gratitude.Eat right, exercise, and get plenty of rest. Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually. Job search and career transition can be exhausting, so you need extra energy and endurance. When you build your personal strength, youll become more courageous and think more clearly.These four steps will build up a positive attitude. Theyll turn stumbling blocks into building blocks, and propel you above and beyond your current state. Youll feel better, sound better, and look better. And youll attract more job offers.Start pumping up and let me know what results you achieve.