If you’re over 50 and looking for a job, what are some strategies you can use to overcome ageism?
1. They are concerned that you aren’t up for the job or have the stamina.
The best advice here is to get physically fit. You radiate energy, a positive attitude, and enthusiasm when you’re fit. People consciously or unconsciously desire to be around you. Sure, if Botox or changing your hair colour makes you feel more confident, go for it. But when you are in shape and eat healthily, it goes a long way to show you have what it takes to handle a new job. You don’t have to run a super-fast mile or bench press your weight, but a regular fitness regime can work magic, be it walking or swimming a couple of times a week.
2. They worry that you aren’t familiar with the technology.
You might be out of step, but you just can’t afford to be a Luddite – idle and resisting where technology is taking the world. Consider signing up for classes, whether it’s a community college, workshops at local libraries, or asking your nieces, nephews, grandkids. Acquire any computer-oriented certifications needed for the job you’re applying for. Having an up-to-date LinkedIn profile and an active Facebook and Twitter account would also help since it proves you’re comfortable with social media.
The employer will check you out online immediately. They need to know all about your social media footprint. This is non-negotiable these days. Network with everyone you know. Employers choose people they know or people whom their partners and friends know. You can benefit from all sorts of connections you’ll find online via Facebook and LinkedIn. Attend your alumni gatherings and industry group functions. Do not sit around and wait for the phone to ring. Sending out your online resume is a great and worthy step, but finding a job when you’re over 50 requires more than that.
Other concerns:
3. They assume you’re set in your ways and won’t be enthusiastic to try new ways of doing things.
4. They’re concerned you might not play nicely with younger workers.
5. They assume you want too much money and would be offended by a lower salary than you had in your last job.
These are all problems you can discuss in your interview and explain why you think they might not be relevant. There’s no fixed solution to the last three worries as they differ from one person to another. It’s wise to develop your own authentic way to address these fears. It is hard out there, but there are ways you can stand above it. It takes stamina and determination, and you can do it.
Check out smaller companies and nonprofits that tend to appreciate the experience and skills that come with age. They might prefer a grown-up in the workplace. A fresh college graduate can’t step in and do the job that an older worker typically can. Employers would love the loyalty and calmness you’ll bring to the workplace. They also know the advantages of the extensive network a more senior worker can get to the job. There is naturally not as much ramping up necessary.
These days, job seeking is challenging no matter your age, so your attitude is the most crucial factor in your success. I know several folks in their twenties who have been searching for a job for over a year. Looking at job ads is not as helpful as knowing a contact at a business.
Check with everyone you know about career opportunities, and check out job consulting agencies for help. While finding work after 50 might be challenging, it mainly depends on you and your desired career field. Some businesses consider younger workers to pay less and load more labour onto fewer workers.
Put your efforts into jobs that emphasize experience and maturity. Consider becoming retrained in a field that appreciates your age or avoids age discrimination. Don’t limit your search to one sort of job. Don’t give up whatever you do; instead, keep looking for innovative solutions to find something that fits you
To be effective and accepted in a workplace, you need to know some small tips. First of all, prepare an updated resume. Don’t forget to add the latest related experiences and skills and remove outdated and irrelevant job experiences. Remember that the employees want you to be up to speed on technology, so take some courses on the required applications and software.
The second and most critical point is how you appear in the interview. The first impression is the key to acceptance. Thus, be prepared to talk about yourself and emphasize the related experiences.
Bear in mind that your age is not a downside; instead, it is an advantage. Be positive and have self-confidence.
Make sure your CV has a reasonable page length. For most professionals, two pages are ideal! You don’t have much time to impress employers, so going for a lengthy paper is not a good idea. Don’t bother writing about job experiences older than 15 years, and focus on the essential parts: job title and the companies’ names and locations. There’s no need to go into details.
Note that Your CV is like a marketing document. It should emphasize what’s more relevant and recent. Instead of writing your whole career record, identify those segments in line with your current goals, and highlight them. Create a LinkedIn profile and provide its URL in your CV.
Over 90% of employers use LinkedIn to recruit new people. Not having a solid LinkedIn profile ends up with you missing out on so many great opportunities. Remember that your CV and LinkedIn profile should be consistent without being identical.
