Seasoned Advice for Mature Workers
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A significantly growing population of job hunters, and those who are landing jobs, is between the ages of 55 to 71 (and beyond). You may have heard, “age 50 is the youth of old age” or “age 60 is the new 50” and so on. Various opinions exist about whether age-related biases negatively impact these mid-lifers’ employability. There are mature workers who are far from elder status but feel they are discriminated against due to their age.

What are some of the strategies that will advance your positioning for interviews? Companies do hire older adults instead of less experienced younger workers especially because of a proven track record in factors such as:

1. Strong work ethic, reliability, and loyalty
2. High level of commitment
3. Experience and knowledge
4. Self-management attributes
5. Supervisory and leadership skills
6. Skills sets and productivity
7. Projecting confident first impressions
8. Well-prepared resumes
9. Communicating forthrightly about your strengths
10. Value added by how you have applied your talent in previous jobs
11. Contemporary appearance in hair style, eye glasses, shoes, and clothing.
12. Positive attitude that comes with a smile!
13. Fitness overrides attitudes about aging

If your appearance is out of the ’80s or ’90s fashion era, the perception is that your skills may not be current or interesting. If your shoes show wear, the employer may think you will accept a lower salary offer or are desperate.

Don’t try to look younger than you are, but present yourself in the best highlight. A frequently asked question is “Should I dye my hair to cover the gray?” Consider what image you want to project which matches the job. Salt and pepper colored hair is suitable for an executive or otherwise, but not necessarily for a skateboard store.

A smile that has been touched up with a teeth whitening process is a cost-effective interview enhancer. Stained teeth are a distraction and can negatively impact an interview.

Other factors that contribute to the selection of more mature workers include:

1. A quality online application as an example of evidence of competency in current technology
2. Being well-prepared for an interview with an exchange of information and relationship building
3. Talking up your skills specifically in terms of how you ‘fit’ as a match for the job description.
4. Sharing information about your past performance primarily as it relates to the position for which you are applying
5. Expressing enthusiasm for your career path
6. Demonstrating your organizational skills in preparation for the interview…before, during, and after
7. Asking how the employer perceives your strengths and weaknesses before concluding the interview, and clarifying any misconceptions
8. Acquiring constructive feedback for improvement to reach your goals

Many workers are qualified for positions with one exception, that is to say, they are unwilling to upgrade or acquire relevant computer or technology skills. This in turn impacts a lower sense of confidence. The question, “What is preventing you from upgrading your computer or technology skills?” is pertinent for any job seeker to answer. It is important to convey to an employer during an interview that you are currently involved in some type of course or development program. Most of us need to add a new tool or skill to our employment tool box from time to time.

The power of “networking” cannot be emphasized enough. In light of the mature worker’s experience and connections, networking is a common source of securing new employment.

1. Create a contact list of your network from the previous decades and reach out to that network
2. Renew those relationships and acquaintances to help you connect with job opportunities

Lastly,
  • Older workers especially may require career coaching assistance. Repeatedly, this group tends to erroneously think that outdated job search methods used in the past will land them a job in today’s changing market.
  • Consider volunteer opportunities while you are looking for employment and list this on your resume
  • Attend a job hunting club where speakers and participants provide helpful support, networking opportunities, a place to connect, and a realization that you are not alone in seeking your next employment endeavor.
If you are a mid-lifer in career transition, consider the following comment by Louise Kursmark, who writes, “I am inspired by the life of Julia Child, who didn’t discover her passion (or even learn to cook) until she was nearly 40 … spent 6 years writing her first book … and made her first television appearance at age 51. Although she started so “late,” she had the entire second half of her life to master (and teach) French cooking. Figure out what you really love and go after it with a passion.”