I see a lot of comments about here re: ageism in the workplace, so I'm gonna throw in my two cents here. I posted this as a response to someone else, and have decided to post this as a new thread. I run a small company. I have hired older people but I can tell you the biggest concern I suspect that some employers might have about hiring older people is this: They don't always like being told what to do, and often in my experience, they aren't so teachable in general (ie they really don't like to hear feedback of any kind, especially those that are younger). Older people tend to be set in their ways. I know this. I'm 51. It's what tends to happen to us as we get older. We complain about those younger people that never want to listen, but when do we ever want to listen? Also, employers want someone there that's not going to bring the place down, that will be fired up to go to work everyday. They really want someone that carries a sense of ownership and understands the importance of their job. If you want to get hired, I think you need to somehow communicate that you have no problem taking direction, and why you really, really want to work for this company. "I really really need to buy food" might not impress them much. And yes of course, you have lots of experience, but understand that some experience is helpful and some isn't so helpful. If you spent 20 years as a cafeteria lunch worker, or have had 30 different jobs in the last 15 years, I'm not sure how helpful that might be working in sales or customer service. And even if it is, if it's in something unrelated to your new job, your new boss might not give a crap about that. Why would he/she? Trust me - I have a Master's degree - and if I wanted to go get a job at Home Depot, do you think the hiring manager there would give two cents for that degree? I'd probably consider not putting it on my resume. On the other hand - if I spent 20 years as a handyman or carpenter, that might be useful at Home Depot. It depends. But it would also be helpful if I knew how to talk to people and got along with others in the workplace, and was willing to fill in for somebody else's shift who got sick with Covid. The biggest question people might be asking is this: If you are so experienced and so awesome, how come you are so desperate for this low-level job. You need to be able to explain this to someone without sounding defensive or condescending. And if you do get hired for less than you think you are worth, don't blame your employer for not paying you more money. The sense of entitlement I see from people of all different ages and backgrounds is an extreme turnoff for me. Go out of your way to show how honest you are. If you are "mostly" honest in terms of your hours and what you are getting accomplished (but not totally/completely) your employer will figure it out, trust me. Figure out what your employer/boss/etc. really needs from you most and deliver that to them without complaining. Go above and beyond. Show them your loyalty, and odds are, they will do the same for you. And if you don't want to go through all the nonsense of putting up with crap working for someone else for little money, then figure out a way to go into business for yourself. It's what I did.
Looks like a fair bit of "victim blaming" from somebody looking for a blanket reason to discriminate.
B.S. This is not true whatsoever!
I think this sucks asses
As a supervisor in a call center, I saw the negative attitude and not wanting to take direction from my younger agents more than the older agents. The older agents appreciated the feedback, understood what the goals were, and wanted to see the company succeed. They wanted to work as a team to provide the best service to the customers. More often, younger agents thought the rules didn't apply to them and they could do what they wanted without consequences and then acted surprised when they were written up or worse, terminated, for not doing the job. When the older, more knowledgeable agents mentored the newer, younger agents, the metrics for both increased and helped our team succeed.
I am 61 years old and recently had to leave my job as caretaker for a large private estate.lwas diagnosed with COPD so was unable to keep up the pace I had maintained for the 18 years I had held the job .But since I was determined not to roll over and play dead I started applying for jobs I thought I would be able to handle and within 2 months I found my current job doing maintenance for an apartment complex so don't let your age hold you back .Some employers know that older people tend to be more reliable and less likely to spend half of their time playing on their phones.
Really appreciate your suggestions! I've experienced many workplaces with generational gaps and I know what it's like. I think we all need to constantly update our codes and language as we are interacting with very diverse coworkers no matter in ages, gender or cultures.
Thanks for this incredible advice! I've switch careers before and I totally understand where you're coming from. It's all about how you cater to your audience and whether you're a seasoned and mature professional knowing how to do so. I also found it important to let go of your past... whatever is not currently pertinent to the new direction you're taking. It doesn't mean it's not a part of you. It will still come back handy for your future roles but the hiring manager doesn't necessarily need to know everything about you.
Excellent point. Thank you.