Every day I hear of another older job seeker feeling as if he or she has been pushed aside for a much younger applicant. It’s a common occurrence and because of the times, it’s happening everywhere. We all know why but is there anything that we can do to change the perception that many companies have about job seekers? I don’t think that we can change a perception but perhaps once we start talking, we can start turning things around.
Businesses are interested in money. Everything revolves around “youth” including profit, salaries, tenacity, branding/marketing and company face. We live in a youth-focused world and frankly, anyone over the age of 40 is viewed as out of touch. What can older job seekers do to possibly be considered for an opportunity? Well, unfortunately, one thing we have to do is lower our expectations.
1. Many businesses may not consider you because they are afraid that once they have invested in you, you will leave for something better. Will you? Can you articulate why you will stay?
2. Expect a lower salary. Younger applicants are cheaper. Do you want a position badly enough to accept the salary that comes with it?
3. Technology is changing as quickly as ever. Identify your strengths and your skill gaps. Learn something new. Look for opportunities for free or low cost training.
4. Don’t expect that your experience speaks for itself because if you do you are going to bruise your ego.
5. Take a look in the mirror and ask yourself if you need to refresh your appearance. Get a new interviewing outfit (even if you have to borrow it) and make sure your hair/makeup is current. Haircuts are pricy but the local vocational schools or community college students offer very good rates.
These steps won’t guarantee you a job. They can however allow you to feel a little bit better about yourself and know that you are doing something to keep up with these very turbulent times.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
-
I’ve always been interested in human behavior and inserted various tools such as Myers Briggs or DiSC into my training programs. They p...
-
Did you ever do something and think,"Now that was easy"? That's what I think every time I work with a client to design his or... -
On October 8, 2022 the Long Branch High School Class of 1972 Reunion featured a PowerPoint slide show of pictures submitted by alumni. LBHS...
2 comments:
I have of late come to believe that the challenge for those older ones -- like me -- is selling who we are versus our appearance, or even our background. It is truly sad that we must darken the grey that wisdom or life's experiences brought us, often bought dearly! It is hard to discard and jettison often meaningful previous experience as if it were baggage -- or worse. Yes, what we do or can do matters. Yet what an employer is buying is far more than a set of skills or on-the-job experiences. They are buying a living breathing human being who also has a story to tell, with ethics and values that transcend "Can you do the job?" That is important, but not in a vacuum -- at least that is how I am seeing this on-going recessionary journey.
As always, thanks for your work.
John
John this is so well said...I wish that I could plaster it across the NY Times and USA Today. We (people of a certain age) are the sum total of experiences, mistakes, achievements and life. So many companies are so obviously callous as to call out the older applicant with a look, a statement and a dismissal. In many cases the interview is over before the applicant even opens his or her mouth. It is a sad reflection of our society. Thanks so much John!
Post a Comment