How can you fight age discrimination at age 65, when you apply for jobs?
If you’re 50 or more and looking for your preferred job position, you may have participated in a few job interviews. You may have noticed age discrimination in a couple of those interviews (or you just did right now!). Employment centers or departments in every organization could be the most ageist part. Most companies’ policies are based on hiring young, energetic, and motivated employees with enthusiasm to learn new skills. There’s a widespread and wrong belief that seniors cannot learn new things, and self-development is a concept that works better for the youth. So based on that belief, most business organizations tend to hire younger people, even if the background and experiences are more valuable in another volunteer with higher age.
So what should we do as a senior applying for a job? What should we do against this pathetic discrimination? First of all, develop yourself and your skills as much as possible. Let them know you by your valuable experiences and knowledge then; your age would be the last option the employers pay attention to. Try to connect with your employee during a job interview and let your energy impact the meeting. Suppose an employee or an interviewer is an ageist person; honestly, as a volunteer, you can’t do anything to change their belief. The only thing you need to do is present your abilities as well as you can and stay relaxed. If you get subjected to age discrimination, you can report it to legal authorities. The law always supports you.
1. Be on top of your game. Make sure you have done everything you can to keep up with technology and changes in your field, and if you have not, check out your local libraries, community colleges, and other platforms where training is offered.
2. Look your best. Be physically fit and dress with an eye toward a vibrant, energetic appearance.
3. Prepare for age-related questions. Underline that you can work well with co-workers of any age.
4. Market your age as a plus. Workers above 50 know precisely how to get the job done and don’t need as much handholding as newcomers.
5. Look for openings at small and local businesses. You can provide practical knowledge and versatility worth two junior hires, and the learning curve is not as steep.
6. Brush up on your interview skills. Think like an expert. Employers want you to solve their problems now. They’re going to choose the best, most interested, most innovative candidate. Focus on the company’s requirements.
7. Brag a bit. Self-promotion is uncomfortable for many seniors, but it seems necessary these days.
As impartially as you can, evaluate how you stand as a job candidate in today’s competitive market. Sensibly edit your resumes and cover letters. You don’t have to document meticulously—detailing exact but old dates on your resume may unnecessarily draw attention to your age.
Flexible jobs, such as part-time positions and jobs with alternative schedules, can be worth considering. Pick roles with smaller companies or startups, where professional part-time employment and contract or project-specific positions may be a more feasible option than in more prominent companies.
Remote jobs, requiring less face time and more priority on work accomplished, can also work well for older workers.
This is a choice if you genuinely have a profound level of expertise in your career field a little technical know-how. You could also use contacts in your network to provide posts and comments. Plus, stay motivated and abreast of technological advancements and job trends. Be conversant with social media and platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to show a professional public profile. Comprehending new skills and using social media are compulsory for the workforce.
Working for a company valuing variety, including age variety, is a triumph for everyone. Age diversity offers a team a sense of wisdom and expertise, said Frana.
We all know that ageism is inevitable, and we can see its traces in every aspect of daily life. Even great companies have their discriminatory practices. Therefore, it can be challenging for seniors to apply for a job. However, some tips listed below help you to beat ageism and get hired.
1. It does not matter how old you are.
Since employers first see a paper and not yourself, the resume and the writing ability play an important role here. Unfortunately, many people don’t bother themselves to write a proper resume. So, it will be impressive to present a perfect CV.
2. It is vital to fill your resume with updated and modern skills.
So, make sure to drop outdated frameworks from it. It is better to add the relevant technology mentioned in the job description.
3. Highlight the proficiency, not the age!
Put more emphasis on the gained experience through all these years. The more they feel you are familiar with modern technology, the higher your chance.
4. Keep pace with the latest technological developments.
They don’t expect you to be familiar with every modern application. However, it’s essential to show you are not from the Mesozoic era!
5. At the end of the resume, add your social media accounts.
It shows that you are ok and familiar with the technology. Plus, make sure to know how to work with the industry’s software and needed apps. Check http://coursera.org/ for the available online courses; it helps you a lot.
6. Before sending the resume, check the company and employer’s history.
Some companies and startups don’t accept employers over 40, and some may have bad attitudes toward seniors. Kununu is an online site where you can read the reviews and see the ranks of different employers based on various aspects. In the end, pay attention to the age range of employees when you go for the interview.