A Tale of Perseverance: Bernd Kranz's Unyielding Job Hunt
Bernd's termination of employment explained.
In the bustling city of Berlin, 79-year-old Bernd Kranz finds himself in an unexpected predicament. With decades of experience as a self-employed auto mechanic, training apprentices under his wing, and a lifelong zest for work, Kranz is finding the professional world less welcoming than he had anticipated. His story underscores the challenges faced by older job seekers, even those with extensive skill sets, as they navigate a career landscape that can be unforgiving.
Kranz, a resident of Reinickendorf, recently closed his small workshop due to the challenging climate for small businesses and Covid-19. Determined to keep working, he has launched a tireless job hunt, submitting close to 50 applications for auto mechanic positions. Despite his qualifications, the response has been disappointing—a string of rejections or, worse, silence.
The rebuffs are particularly stinging when they come from sources he had once trusted. "Even the police told me I'm too old," Kranz laments. He feels he has been cast aside, a sentiment the employment office did little to dispel. "They said they're not responsible for me."
Without work, Kranz feels incomplete. "I feel useless," he admits, a sentiment he never believed he'd experience. "I've never been sick, but since I've been doing nothing, I feel it in my bones for the first time."
The Hidden Barriers
Older workers, like Kranz, often encounter unique hurdles in their job search, despite their valuable skills remaining relevant. Age-related stereotypes and biases, labor market trends, health concerns, and industry shifts can all conspire to push experienced workers like Kranz onto the professional sidelines.
Age-Related Biases and Stereotypes
Employers may overestimate the physical demands of jobs like auto mechanic or underestimate an older candidate's adaptability to new technologies, perpetuating age-related stereotypes.
Labor Market Trends
Some hiring managers may prioritize younger workers, falsely assuming that they will adapt quicker to industry changes. Unemployment rates for older workers can be higher and longer, up to 27 weeks or more, compared to younger job seekers[1][3]. Additionally, apprentice positions may be geared toward fresh high-school or technical school graduates, creating a challenging entry point for those re-entering the field[2].
Health and Physical Barriers
While many older workers remain physically fit and capable, they may face increased health issues that could impact their job performance. Accommodations might also create friction with employers, despite federal protections for older workers.
Shift in Industry Practices
Certification requirements, meant to ensure a certain level of expertise, can deter seasoned professionals who may perceive such roles as below their experience level or outside their training path[2].
Addressing the Challenges
While age discrimination is illegal, subtle biases persist in hiring practices. Advances in automotive technology can make it hard for anyone to keep up without ongoing training, but experienced professionals can and do adapt. Older job seekers like Kranz, in particular, can demonstrate their ongoing competence and adaptability to potential employers by staying abreast of industry developments and remaining open-minded to new possibilities.
Employers, too, can play a role in addressing these challenges by educating themselves about the value and potential contributions that older workers can bring to their teams. By embracing a more diverse workforce—in terms of both age and experience—companies may find themselves better equipped to navigate the complexities of an evolving industry.
For now, Bernd Kranz continues his job search, hopeful that he can find a place where his expertise, passion, and willingness to learn will be valued. His story serves as a reminder that age should not be a barrier to opportunity, and that every working life deserves a chance at continued growth and contribution.
- Bernd Kranz, a 79-year-old mechanic, initially found the professional world indifferent towards his job hunt despite his decades of self-employment, apprentice training, and unwavering commitment to work.
- In the midst of a challenging small business climate and Covid-19, Kranz, a resident of Reinickendorf, shut down his workshop, launching a tireless job hunt for mechanic positions.
- Despite his extensive qualifications, Kranz has encountered a string of rejections or silence, even from sources he considered allies, which has left him feeling cast aside.
- Kranz's story underscores the hurdles faced by older job seekers, including age-related biases, health concerns, labor market trends, and industry shifts that can push experienced professionals onto the professional sidelines.
- Older workers like Kranz may face misconceptions about their adaptability to new technologies, priority given to younger workers, increased health issues, and certification requirements that may seem below their experience level.
- Kranz, however, can demonstrate his ongoing competence and adaptability by staying informed about industry developments and remained open to new possibilities, helping to dispel subtle biases in hiring practices.
- Embracing a diverse workforce and appreciating the value and potential contributions of older workers, companies may find themselves better equipped to navigate the evolving marketplace, as the story of Bernd Kranz serves as a reminder that opportunity should not be limited by age.
