"I'll tell 'ya how to stay young: hang around with older people" -Bob Hope

More cultural things to get used to.

We all know that there is a big difference in international CVs and US style resumes. Of course, this is because of different ways of thinking- US resumes are shorter, and lack personal information, only the essentials.
You would never include personal details such as age, nationality, or a picture. And a company would never ask for it, becuase of course, then they are subject to a range of lawsuits based on how they use that information. Ah, Americans.

Although I resisted some of it at first, I too adapted my CV when I was job hunting to include these extra details. A girl's gotta get hired, right? And they most likely only helped me. People like to hire westerners here.
Today I had some annoyance issues with it all though.

During a meeting today- I had a woman exclaim repeatedly- "you're so young!". I went back and forth on my opinion as to whether she thought it was a bad thing relative to the topic of our meeting, or if it just made her feel old. She also asked me how I would handle resentment from others that I work with because of my age. My answer was basically that I would prove that I was in fact the best choice for the position regardless of age by producing superior work and rising above expectations. Her reply- "well that will probably make them hate you more".
Yikes.

Dubai can be an incredibly competitive 'eat or be eaten' kind of environment. I have heard stories from other people here about companies in which employees will actively try to keep their collegues down, to attempt to ensure their own success. Maybe I'm naive. Well, actually I know that. But really, I still believe that its in the best interest of everyone for the most qualified and capable person to be in positions- not based on age, rank or status.
Isn't life really just about being the best that you can be? Enabling yourself to be the best YOU possible?
Well I'm sorry, but self-development doesn't happen by getting things you want through manipulation, luck, birthright, connections, etc.
But then again, I guess at the end of the day, thats not what a lot of people care about.

Thats why I want to work in training and development. Maybe I can help some people realize that there is a better way than bitching about the 20-something newbie that came in and stole the position you wanted. Maybe I can help those 20-somethings feel like they don't have to be 35+ to get a decent job. Maybe I can help companies recognize the value in developing the staff that they have, to make them actually qualified to move up the 'corporate ladder'- ensuring lower turnover, greater productivity and a healthier business in general.

I wonder when the 'you're too young for this' thing stops haunting people. It's been following me for a while now. I remember my Life Verse that I chose for my confirmation when I was 14:

"Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

It struck a chord with me then. I bet I thought it wouldn't be applicable 9 years later. I guess that's why they call it a Life Verse.
I wonder if it will still resonate with me when I am 85. I suppose it will, if everyone that I interact with is 95...