How to get hired after Age 50+
As I've noticed, a lot of people in their 50's and 60's are finding it challenging to find a new job. I know most of you have started your job search right away. However, are you working your network? Take advantage of all the years of experience under your belt and go through your personal contacts. This is still the best way to find out about openings and to get hired. You can avoid implicit of discrimination if someone you know is willing to vouch for you. Reassure a young manager - some managers feel uncomfortable supervising someone who is more experienced than they are. The big thing to keep in mind is that the person supervising you or the hiring decision may well be younger than you are, thus insecure about this fact. So it's important to let them know you are OK with the role you're applying for, that you don't want their job and that you are expecting to take direction from them. Most importantly, don't mention your age or the interviewer's age. You don't want to call attention to your age by listing jobs you held over 20 years ago on your resume or mentioning your age during the interview process. Even if the person interviewing you is no older than your children. Shorten your resume - you don't need to include every position you held on your resume. Highlight your recent achievements instead and the new talents you're acquiring. In general spotlight on the last 10 years of experience. Explain why you're not overqualified - Having 20-30 years of experience can make you seem overqualified for many positions but make sure your cover letter explains why you're right for the job you're applying for. And lastly, demonstrate your fluency with technology - Unfortunately, older people are often perceived as unable to use technology effectively. Make it clear that you are tech-savvy and continue to keep up with new developments. The single most important thing you can do to overcome age bias is to demonstrate your comfort with technology and social media during the interview process. Include your LinkedIn URL on your resume.
I hope my suggestions help. I've seen too many older people struggling to land a job. My heart goes out to you. Keep your head held high and good luck!
Thank you, Stephanie. I am in academics, and the job apps always ask the year you graduated from college and grad school. That gives away my age. Academics is so competitive, and I believe I am thrown off the top of the pile when they see my age. What to do? Anybody!
Thanks Stephie for the advice. I will try the resume with just how many years worker (@4 yrs 2 months) The issue wth that is a prospective employer can deduce how old you are by both your educational a,d the amount of years worked. I will do some revamping and give it a try. I will let you know if there are any bites. Thanks again
Thanks for the tips. I have tried everyone in a variety of ways but no success. I have tried to dumb size my resume and beef up my resume. Nothing. When a interested employer looks at the resume and even though the age is not mentioned they use the years of working as a "guide." I have tried reassuring the younger managers and have tried very hard to help in any way but I am convinced it is age.
Thank you very much for the suggestions. I am 50+ and have been advised by a dear colleague to get some IT Certifications since I do keep up as best I can with current technology.
I have done everything the "experts" have said to do. I am intelligent, I have paid my dues, and I am longing for a position where I can prove my worth. I am a winner and I deserve a chance to prove myself. I do not apply for jobs that I am not qualified to do. I am at least seeing people look at my profile but no interviews. I feel I have much to offer but no legitimate takers. Perhaps my goals are too high.
Good suggestions! I got hired at 60 and pointed out that I was not likely to work for decades. No need to worry about me climbing the career ladder so why not take advantage of years of experience?! I had to steer the interview to make my point but it worked. I pose no threat to millenials trying to get ahead. It is impossible to hide your age today so use it to your advantage. Good luck!
Sometime it's also the assessment tests they know makes scents and ask illegal questions they the test is itself is too long already ask your age at least 3 times and race on the app if you don't answer you can't complete the app some times their online sites don't work if you have a certificate that's says you're supposed make a certain amount of wage it's ignored how we do get around that the next generation are ready coming out of high school with associate degrees?!!
This is a fantastic post, Stephie!!! Thank you so much for sharing this advice.
good advice, the problem i have with the resume suggestion is in the last 16 years i worked the same job. then i was let go. i'm 60+ i would need to go back 25 years just to list 2 jobs. makes for a short resume. would appreciate any advice. thanks