Unemployed (45) 'fed up' with bosses who do not send replies

Businesses hiring staff need to show more consideration for the unsuccessful job applicants.That's according to Mullingar mum Sharon (not her real name) who has been unemployed for the last two years and says that she is "fed up" with companies not replying to her job applications.In the last two months, Sharon (45) has applied for up to 10 positions and received only two replies, one of which was an automated reply. She believes that she received the other only because she sent a "sharp" email to the firm in question."I've applied for anything from a shop to office work. You just don't hear another word."That's the way things have gone and everyone says the same thing, that firms don't even acknowledge their applications. Even if they just sent an email saying that you didn't make the shortlist."I have sent follow-up emails and even then I have received no response. I know one job that I applied for recently I got an automated response - at least you know they got it."Despite having more than 25 years of experience in the work place, the former bank worker and administrator, who will have been out of work two years in May, feels that her age may be going against her when would-be employers look at her CV. "Once you go over 45, I think it gets harder. What hope do you have when graduates can't get a job?" she said.While she is eager to re-enter the work force, Sharon is adamant that she will not take an internship under the government's JobBridge programme as she feels that many employers sign up to avail of cheap labour and nothing else."It's a rip off. You work for 39 hours and get an extra €50 (on top of social welfare payment). I think some employers are using the system. I suppose it's okay for 21 or 22-year-olds who are just out of college and want to get their feet in the door... I have 25 years' experience. It's not as if I have young kids and will need to take time off. My children are well into their teens."