Overcoming False Age Perceptions
This year’s spike in downsizing and layoffs has intensified the growing problem of older workers being stripped of the opportunity to remain in the workforce. Older workers have a lot to offer the workplace, such as experience, knowledge and a strong sense of work ethic and loyalty. I hear older job hunters getting frustrated, and rightly so, but it is important to keep in mind that these frustrations, if gone unchecked, can end up hindering your job search success even more. Below are some suggestions to keep your eye on the ball and keep frustrations from becoming obstacles.
1. Get into the now: The world that we live in today is fast-paced and technologically driven; two things that are the stereotypical antithesis of the older worker. Do not allow yourself to get sucked into the stereotype. As part of your training program to get you back in job hunting shape, identify what you need to do to bring yourself up to speed. Do you have a LinkedIn account? If so, are you really using it to your advantage? What about a Facebook page? Or better yet, how about a website with your profile and work samples, references, etc.? These days employers want multiple paths to your information at their fingertips. If an employer searches your profile on LinkedIn and sees you only have three connections, that is a tell tale sign that you are not using the technology that is readily available to you to increase your job hunting success. The next assumption made is that you are not taking advantage of technological networking opportunities either because you do not know how to or you just don’t want to.
A potential employer’s assumptions will most likely lead to your frustration. Don’t let them assume incorrectly about your involvement in current technology.
2. Take the excuses away: As you get frustrated with your job search, you begin to put obstacles in your own way by thinking of all of the negative reasons why an employer won’t want to hire you. Write these reasons down and come up with reasons to overcome those negative thoughts. For instance, I recently heard someone say they believed they were at a disadvantage because they felt the interviewer would see them as only being committed to full-time work for a short time. Proactively respond to roadblocks like these. Beat them to the punch on every reason why you might not be a good fit. Start by addressing potential roadblocks in your cover letter, but don’t shy away from bringing them up in an interview. Be cognizant about your approach—don’t be defensive or bullish—just discuss each point in an objective manner.
3. Impress at the interview: Go in with the right attitude. Many times what older people do not realize is that the reason they did not get the job is not because of their age, but because of the way they came across in the interview. Even if you think that the interviewer is green, it may well be their very first interview, keep it to yourself. Do not present yourself in a manner that would suggest to the interviewer that you have a chip on your shoulder about the questions being asked or the person doing the asking. You always, always, always want to put your best foot forward.
October 16th, 2009 at 12:11 am
Awesome article. I think there have been times in the past that I feel I have a chip on my shoulder when I walk into an interview as well as being asked questions.
I am trying to get over that. I want to be a salesman/customer service man for the alternative energy or green industries. I have 15 plus years with those skills and experience.
Thank you
October 16th, 2009 at 2:19 am
This is great .Thanks I never knew what Linkedln was until now will certainly check it out ,and will equally set up a website wiith my profile on it ,can you please enlighten me on the Linkedln .
Kind Regards
Debo
October 16th, 2009 at 3:34 am
Quiet interesting!!! I’m actually connected to LinkedIn but i’v not really had time to use it to my advantage;but with this,i would try to work on it because i need to change my job to a more challenging one.
Thanks and God bless
Kazeem.
October 16th, 2009 at 8:29 am
I have so much to offer an employer. I was with a major oil for 8 years in Exploration and couple other years outside that in service field. I’ve graduated from a major university almost have a MS and have run my own business that I grew to two offices and about 15 people. But nobody will look at me or give me a chance. I’m 55 and haven’t worked in the field for 20 years. Given the cost structure of someone 55 in benefits and health insurance I am significantly more than a younger hire. I am willing to work projects, part-time, period or any other framework but I still don’t get interviews or chances. I’ve even had direct contact lead ins to no avail, I’m made it known I want to work for perhaps another 7-10 years. What can I do?
October 17th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Ms Brazeel … I see you looked at a few of the comments from your last week’s article; Thank you!
Again, you present many good points, and some that I will most certainly try. I’m not sure what having hundreds of contacts (of whom most you have no idea who they are) on LinkedIn will do, but if that is what it takes, then so be it. I’ve had a profile there for about a year now … and have about 60 connections of people that I’ve either met, worked with, are friends with, or have spoken directly with. A few I have communicated only by e-mail, or do not know but received an invitation.
I still stand by my comments last week … and feel that age discrimination is alive and well. It is not a preception for those of us who have to walk in these shoes every day. And unless you have worn these shoes, you don’t really understand.
My situation is quite similar to Brent’s. My formal education and original work experience was oil & gas (upstream) related. Economics in the early 80’s dictated what I would be doing for the next 20 or so years … and it wasn’t to be in the oil patch. I did what I needed to support my family and made the best of the hand I was dealt.
I had a break in the mid-2000’s … and was able to make the contacts I needed to get back working in the industry again; and had to start as a contractor. Now, I watch daily as the industry brings in younger people with no background, related education, or experience into full-time positions … of which we who are not qualified for these positions must train. There is something wrong with this picture.
Job searches are another treat … if you’re able to get past the screeners and in front of the interviewers, you are one of the fortunate. I have been told on more than one occassion that the position was for a more junior engineer, and that I was overqualified (the advertisement asked for someone with 10-15 years experience … I didn’t realize that constituted a junior position)!
When looking for suitable employment, I believe that everyone puts their best foot forward, in hopes of landing that position they applied for. The over 50 crowd is not a protected group … and the laws written for it aren’t worth the paper they appear on. So, unless you are not actually experiencing this occurrance first hand … you really don’t understand the problems, of which are definitely not preceived. If age discrimination is preceived, then so is race, gender, and all of the others … so why isn’t age worthy of formal tracking like several of the others??
Another topic for a future week … ??
October 17th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
a problem that many in the over 50 group have to deal with is the loyalty they had towards their employer that was essentially not reciprocated. the new generation will not have such loyalty and that is where industry will hurt .. loyalty begets higher productivity (output/$). That has been the main reason for japanese (and now chinese) growth .. but the japanese began adopting western business methods … and see where they are. i have met more than a few japanese who literally CRY at the destruction of their work ethic due to the ‘new’ management methods. SUGGESTION: leave out some of the old experince from your resume, drop off maybe 5-10 years from your apparent age. Leave off the year of graduation.
October 19th, 2009 at 1:48 am
This article have driven away all fears, I am confident, and I can see light at the end of the tunnel concerning my next level in securing a more better job.
I will like to know more about “Linkedin” kindly give me more information about this.
Regards,