Why is it so hard to get a job as a phlebotomist in your 50s? Most jobs say with experience or if you just finished school. Well, I do have experience. But because it had been sometime, I did take the course again.So now I have the experience and just finishing school. I can’t seem to get in any place I apply at. I don’t understand. 
Do companies just want the younger people so they can have them for 30 years ?
Well, I am a phlebotomist who has been looking for a job for almost a year now. I don’t know where you’re located, but I sure do wish I could be there because all they keep asking or looking for over here in Chicago is experience. I’ve been turned down left and right. this coming Wednesday, I have an interview I’m hoping I get it because I desperately need it and I don’t have anybody in my corner due to me being new to the state
In PA, there are plenty of jobs for you all!!
Many health centers prefer a candidate that is not so niche like medical assistants that offer a wider range of skills including phlebotomy. In my experience, phlebotomist don’t leave their roles until retirement. I’m not sure where you are from, but mobile phlebotomists are usually in demand - maybe go down that route. Additionally, I’m not sure how salary/experience is considered in roles like this because there is usually a cap. I use to be a phlebotomist and medical assistant many years ago, and career paths were very limited.
I hit my ceiling a long time ago!
I personally think they want many from out of school with little experience so they dont have to pay someone their value for experience and some employers get hesitant on hiring older people because they dont want to have to rehire too soon if you decide to retire is my best guess.
I feel lately it is more an ageism issue. Many of us run into it today. Today's new employees are almost making as much as we are.
Companies want ones that they don’t have to pay for experience.
Same with the nursing profession. Less experience means less wages. The wealthy don’t like to share. CEO’s don’t like to share.
Yep, & they can deal with the mistakes/ & errors & lack of tact & bed side manor along with hands on knowledge! Especially if it's a specialty, such as pediatrics, or OR, Orthopedics etc!
They don’t want to pay you for your expertise. As a patient I would rather have an experienced person drawing my blood, but most employers just want to
save money on salaries.
They dobt want to pay for your experience
You’ll find something just don’t give up.
This is the worst Economy we’ve had in many years… companies are looking to cut corners and continue to work with skeleton crews… And there aren’t enough jobs for the amount of people applying!
You clearly don’t mind extremely high groceries, gas , insurance high rents high interest rates and NO JOBS!
Try hospitals
Ageism my friend, all jobs are harder to land after 50
I’ve gotten 2 jobs on the spot after 50 because of my experience. They were great jobs!
I’m in the same boat. I have 38 years experience and I’m very good at what I do. But I can’t find a decent job in Joplin MO
It's age discrimination. Too bad we can't prove it
I see it too in this job market, education over years of experience.
Have you tried the American Red Cross? They always need experienced phlebotomists. :-)
You do have the right not to disclose your age
They will figure that out when you show up. I have 45 years of RN experience hospitals, home care, nursing homes and medical offices. After I relocated from NY where nurses are paid well. I live in the East Coast of Florida and the pay stinks. I was making 50 dollars an hour in a doctor's office in Florida one of the jobs I was offered was in Tomoka Prison 30 dollars an hour for the pleasure of spending 12 hrs with murders and rapists they also execute people there. and there was a little thing they didn't mention but I researched the Prison a female guard was raped and killed a few years back all this fun for 30 dollars an hour. I don't think male prisons should hire female guards it's just too dangerous same goes with woman's prisons they should have women guards so there is no improper sexual accusations
For the same reason it's challenging to find a new position as a dental office manager with 42 years of experience. I was laid off in January, still looking. Experience DOES matter, we just need to find the right place that's luck enough to have us.
I worked at quest and labco; they are always willing to hire, but the process takes a long time. Labcorp a year to get in (no experience) quest a couple months ( 8 yrs experience). Quest has job hiring events on location, if showcase your skills there they are reluctant to hire you because they want workers. But don’t give up, took me 1 yr to get in at csl plasma just to work on donor floor then become a phleb with a certification. Yes, they are gonna try to get you to work more for less pay, but when you get in ask for what you need because they will work you.
Some do, Do you have any gaps? That's a killer. If you truly believe that you are being bypassed by age, file an EEOC complaint. Recently my best friend (age 62) got what he thought was a crank call--but it wasn't, A few years earlier he had applied for a job but was not hired. Someone filed an EEOC complaint, they investigated and found indeed, that company was in violation, He was sent about $27,000 as part of the settlement. Ageism is real.
Places don’t want to pay the experience pay rate. Most states are offering free phlebotomy classes so these places can hire for less pay. I have experience at one of the biggest labs and was just offered 16.41 at a hospital I declined and they came back with 17.10. I declined again. Taking a pay cut just to work at a major hospital is a no for me. Point is they are doing us Phlebs wrong and it’s sad
Ageism
Good question. There is a difference between wanting money and getting paid for what you went to develop an education for. You have a HEART to do the jobs most people just want the money for. If I make sense. Just thinking along, with you. Be blessed and never be discouraged. 🌹
I feel your pain looking for work after 50 is no easy task. I've been looking for work since I was laid off from a job I had for 26 years and couldn't find anything so I decided to go back to school and learn new skills. I'm still trying to find a job.