In the past few months of my job search, I have noticed that at the interviews, they typically handover a ''release form'' for ''verification purposes'' which demands info such as one’s date of birth, social security number, and, at times, driver’s license number. This is a disturbing trend as it gives an unfair advantages to the hiring manager as regards the age of the candidate and can/will have an impact on the outcome of the interview. I have consistently seen this happening in all the recent interviews that I have had.
Is there anyone in the country addressing this scenario? To my mind, this is a major issue that has escaped the attention of all those involved in the game of hiring.
A: I would like to thank the writer for the kind words. I included the first part not because I like the praise (well partly), but because the writer adds some good perspective on job fairs.
I believe the release form you are seeing is a formality to save time, effort, and forgetfulness. I do not have an issue with it. If you notice the word ''release,'' it means you are releasing them to do a background check. That is all it typically amounts to. They need all the information, plus your signature, to do that. Typically, that form would not be passed on to hiring managers as they wouldn’t care, except (potentially) about the results.
This does, however, raise another important subject: privacy. I would not suggest to anyone that they get belligerent about this (unless you are leading a crusade instead of looking for a job), but I would suggest judiciousness. Companies are not going to go through background and criminal checks unless they are at the point of hiring you. They are just not going to spend the time and money. I would suggest you gracefully decline until the time a final interview or offer is forthcoming. Just explain that you realize this is an important formality and necessity for them, but for personal security purposes you do not wish to provide that information until the time of a final interview or offer. Do not, however, make it about them or their database security. If they inquire further, just state that you think it is a reasonable thing for them to ask for but that you prefer to wait to provide that information. That should suffice. Personally, I would be nervous because databases of companies that should, and many times do, have the best security have been penetrated. I am to the point that I am considering whether I want to use my regular credit card for online purposes.
From a candidate perspective, it should give you some confidence in the company that they are diligent and doing more than interviews. Unfortunately, in today’s world you don’t know what is lurking around the corner. I say these things not to be paranoid, because I am not, but because I think there are reasonable steps to be taken. After all, 40 years ago many people left their cars and front doors unlocked.
I do want to make a couple comments on your concern about age discrimination. Does it exist? Yes. Is it prevalent? No. We have a labor shortage, especially at the level of people who read this column. I have covered this issue in the past, so I won’t go into more detail here, but I will relate three short stories to you:
- One of my mentors died three years ago this August. He was 88 and still worked 50 hours a week. He had retired once but kept busy with his own businesses and many charitable/non-profit causes. In fact, he was working on one from his hospice bed the morning before he died.
- My late father-in-law died at 89. He was one of the best, if not the best, tailors in town. He also had a small dry-cleaning store. He was open five and a half days a week and worked 50-60 hours per week except when it got nice and he headed to Lake Erie to go fishing.
- My mother is 84. She retired as a schoolteacher 19 years ago. Most days I can’t get in touch with her because she is busy with much of her volunteer work. When my son moved back here from Toronto nine years ago, a few months after my father’s death, he lived with her. She said something to me after a few months about how he was never around. He worked a night job. When I related that to him, he said she was the one that was always gone.
On the other hand, I also talk with people who are in their mid 50s to late 60s (the front half of the baby boomers) who can’t wait to get up every morning and face their next challenge. That might even include finding their next job.
Two final hints: Do keep current in your job skills and industry (the US automotive and banking industries are not exactly growing these days), and keep in reasonably healthy condition — the latter will take years off your appearance. Look at Jack LaLanne, the original fitness guru. He is 94 and still looks like he is in his 50s. He is also still very active in his business and passions.
So that is my column for this week. I am not trying to be Norman Vincent Peale, but a little attitude adjustment sometimes sure is a benefit.
Here’s Wishing You Terrific Hunting,
Bill
About the Author
Bill Gaffney has 17 years of experience as an executive recruiter and career coach. He is not a fitness coach. Bill can be reached at 937-567-5267 or wmgaffney@prodigy.net. For questions to be considered for this column, please email askamaxa@yahoo.com.
