It is not unusual for my mature clients to tell me they believe they have been a victim of age discrimination when going on an interview. It can be quite discouraging to feel that you’ve been taken out of the running when being considered for employment because of your age. It’s hard enough to get a job today where you’re going up against many others vying for the same position; coping with age discrimination can make it seem like an impossible obstacle has been thrown your way.
If you want to overcome this challenge, the best place to start is to focus on finding solutions instead of dwelling on the problem and giving up! If you think of yourself as a victim, you will become powerless. Instead recognize that there are opportunities everywhere; you just have to find them.
Here are some solutions for coping with and overcoming age discrimination:
1) Focus on the advantages you bring to the workplace as an older worker. Ask yourself – “what strengths do I bring to the workplace which represent benefits to potential employers?” Do you have excellent presentation skills? Are you an effective leader? Be sure to convey your strengths on your resume and during the interview.
2) Look for jobs at companies that value older employees. See AARP for a list of best employers for workers over 50:
3) Check out these websites for job postings and resources for seniors:
4) Recognize that certain industries are better than others for the older worker. For example, advertising is traditionally an industry known for hiring younger workers while finance and insurance typically value older workers for the experience and stability they convey to customers.
Look for jobs within industries that value older workers. If you’re not sure about a particular industry, find 2 or 3 insiders that you can conduct an informational interview with to find out.
5) Give an energetic impression. Take good care of your health and well-being; exercise, maintain a healthy weight, you know the drill! Eat light, nutritious meals throughout the day to maintain a high energy level.
Another idea is to get involved in activities such as hiking, skiing, tennis, running; any sport that demonstrates you are an active person then post it under your interests and activities on your LinkedIn profile. You can also give an energetic impression by getting involved in worthy causes in your spare time. Consider volunteering to be on a committee or participate in fundraisers of charitable organizations. The added benefit is that you may find out about job openings through the contacts you develop.
6) Don’t feel compelled to put down all of your job history on your resume. Be sure to include the past 15 years of experience on your resume plus any experience that is crucial to conveying your experience within your field as companies are most interested in your most recent and relevant experience. The other side of this issue is not to exclude too much of your job history to give an erroneous impression. After all, you won’t fool anyone about your age once they meet you.
7) Update your look. For guidelines on how to dress appropriately for the workplace, click here for a past newsletter on How to Update Your Wardrobe for a Successful Interview. Here’s another idea that may be helpful. Think of a celebrity or public figure that is similar to you in age and body type who dresses well, then copy their style. Try using color in your clothing to project energy. Also consider a new hairstyle. Be sure to get an expert opinion from a good hairstylist to choose a subtle, age-appropriate style.
8) Leverage your networks. As an older worker, you have the advantage of having more networking contacts than younger counterparts. Use networking to land a job by tapping into the hidden job market and uncovering unadvertised jobs. Get in touch with former co-workers, friends, neighbors, relatives, professional associations within your industry, clubs, religious organizations, etc. and let them know you’re looking for a job opportunity.
9) Demonstrate that you get along well with others. Get testimonials for your LinkedIn profile and create a reference portfolio to supplement your resume. It’s a great way to have others testify about how wonderful you are!
10) Don’t be a dinosaur! It is imperative that you keep up with the latest computer programs and skills especially if you choose to work in an office. There is nothing that will qualify you as an “old dinosaur” more than being behind the times technologically. Take an adult education computer course or bribe a teenager in your world to teach you the ropes.
Finally, the #1 quality that will help you to overcome age discrimination is self confidence. Stand tall, smile often, and do your best to connect with others. Focus on your many accomplishments, all you have to be proud of, and what you have to offer to prospective employers. Your positive attitude with naturally attract others to you and dispel any negative stereotypes that you may encounter during the job search.
