Handling Age Issues in a Job Search

Candice has been interviewing for over a month now. She has been emphasizing her 30 years of experience and can't understand why, with all of her experience, she is not getting hired unless it is due to age discrimination. She only has 10 more years before retirement and would like a pleasant, easy going job until then. Candice is now feeling self-conscious in her interviews and is becoming more and more disgruntled and displeased with employers in general.

The above senario is not unusual. Many employers do not discriminate, however, age discrimination is something that cannot be eliminated entirely. Age itself may not always be the problem, rather employers want to ensure they have done the best job of hiring for their team and the company. If it appears to the employer that you are waiting for retirement to roll around; you are not totally interested in becoming involved with the job; you're not flexible and ready to learn new ideas; dedicated to the team; focused on the company's objectives; and basically you only want "a job" because you need the money, it will be easy for an employer to move on to another candidate.

Many of us go through stages, where different aspects of our lives have varying priorities, from career, to family, time for ourselves, and retirement. The focus on career is often (not always) earlier in our life, so we must bring this career focus to the forefront during a job search and convey this energy to the employer.

Let's look at the following example: When you are shopping for a service; don't you want the best possible service for your money? Don't you shop around to ensure you are making the right choice so you will feel confident in your decision? A business must illustrate to you that they will serve you best — if they do not illustrate this, you will move on and buy elsewhere. Employers are basically buying a service from you; they are buying your skills in the performance of certain tasks. It is your job, therefore, to illustrate to the employer that you will provide a better service than any other candidate.

Many employers will want to hire you if you show them you can and will do the job better, or as well as any other candidate; you are skilled, dedicated, stable, get along with others, have energy and enthusiasm for the job, and you are flexible!

What not to do

• Don't assume that because an employer did not hire you, it was because of your age; perhaps someone else was more qualified or enthusiastic about the job and company.
• There is a fair employer for every one that is not, so don't worry about or focus on an employer who may have discriminated. Move on and be happy that you did!
• Don't blame age when you are not hired; instead build your interviewing skills. It is not the most qualified person who gets the job, but rather the person who presents himself as the most qualified.
• If you have a chip on your shoulder regarding your age, be sure to remove it prior to the interview. This attitude will come across to the employer.

What to do

• Have your resume only date back 10-15 years (visit Expert advice on resumes and cover letters and Professional resume & cover letter examples).
• Discuss your energy level, dedication and enthusiasm in your interview to overcome any unspoken concerns the employer may have. Convey to the employer (without saying it directly) that you have as much excitement and energy for the position as any twenty-something candidate!
• Discuss your flexibility and enthusiasm about learning new ideas, be sure to convey that you can and want to learn their way of working. Do not come across as knowing more because of your years of experience; rather explain that you want to contribute with your experience and want to learn more about their ideas.
• Convey not only your energy level and enthusiasm for the position and company, but also your skills and experience that pertain to the job.
• You are as young as you feel; start doing young activities.
• Make a list of all of your skills, accomplishments and contributions you have made in your work, hobbies, and with family and friends and read them daily!