I don’t care that I’m 68 years old…..I'm like a fine wine! I get BETTER with age!! I believe I was facing age discrimination in my job search for the last year or so until I realized that I was half the problem!

I wasn’t staying positive and coming to interviews prepared to show them that I am just as able to complete the job as someone half my age. One tip I do have that I would like to share with you all is to UPDATE YOUR RESUME!

Take off all jobs that are irrelevant and might showcase how old you are. If it is more than 10-12 years old, take it off! Don’t include dates for graduations and any certifications you earned. You don’t want to take any chances of getting your resume tossed before they even see you! Be sure to remove these dates from social media profiles as well.

I just landed a job as an HR specialist at 68 years young!! I showed up with positive energy and mindset. My interviewer asked me questions about my skills and I used examples to show her my expertise and demonstrated my excitement to learn!

Best wishes to all my fellow fine glasses of wine!!

Sometimes an interviewer will make an off-color comment or joke that really tips us off about what they think about us. When Shelly was interviewing for a Lab Technician position, her interviewer dropped a comment on her that set her alarm bells ringing! Shelly says:

She kept telling me that their is a lot of walking with the job. I said Okay. As I was walking back to the trailer with her she made a comment You know as you age your body slows down and you can not walk as fast as you used too. I am 55 years old.

What would you say or do if you were in Shelly’s shoes? Have you experienced something similar?

Click here to join the conversation.

If you attended the Age Strong Job Fair this weekend then this is the post for you!

Now that the fair is over, it's time to follow up.

Doing so lets the employer know you are serious, reminds them of who you are (they met a TON of people), your qualifications, and keeps the hiring process moving along.

So let’s take a look at how following up works...

•When-
Send your follow up at least 1-2 business days after the event.

•Who-
Reach out to the right person! Whether you jotted down the employer’s email address in a notebook, found it on the website, or have a business card make sure to reach out directly to the person you spoke to or the hiring manager. By sending it to an individual (and make sure to address it to them) you will avoid your follow up being lost in the shuffle.

•How-
You can follow up with a call, email, or thank you card. Email is suggested as it’s instant and will give you the proper amount of time to gather your thoughts, however, there is also something wonderfully personal about receiving a handwritten note if you can send it quickly. See what to say in your follow up HERE.

•What-
Make sure it’s personal. Remember that employers have likely met and spoken to MANY candidates so it’s unlikely they will automatically remember you. If you had a good conversation during the interview, make note of something you discussed and mention it in your follow up. Perhaps you both went to a certain college or own black labs. It’s all about forging a connection! Be sure to explain how excited you would be to work for them. Mention the main reasons why you would be the right person for the job by emphasizing your strengths and capabilities while demonstrating that you are a great fit. Keep it short and straight to the point.

A follow up is a great way to include those final things you may have neglected to mention at the job fair so make sure not to forget to take the time to do so.

Please comment with any questions!

Also, please make sure to keep us posted on your progress! : )

Don’t emphasize your length of experience, emphasize your capabilities!

Highlight the accomplishments you’ve achieved over the years and demonstrate your worth. Be sure to show genuine excitement about the work that you do. Instead of discussing how many years you’ve been in the field, say something like this:

This is my sweet spot! I’m thrilled about the potential of being able to bring my skills to the team! I love working within a dynamic team and collaborating with others who share my interest in this line of work.”

Mentioning some beneficial contributions and showcasing your loyalty can help make you more memorable to your potential employer!

Remember, think SKILLS not AGE!

No, no, I’m not asking you to break out the crop top and start using the latest tween lingo. But I AM encouraging you to stay up to date on current trends and technology! :)

It’s no secret that companies who have greater diversity in their employees evolve more rapidly and successfully. However, age discrimination (or ageism) is a real hardship that many of those in the workforce struggle with.

Show them you’re just as knowledgeable as any other worker! Demonstrating that continued learning is a priority of yours makes you more competitive in the market. Think about additional certifications you could earn and areas you can improve on.

Here are some great resources for expanding your skillset + staying up to date with current trends:

TED Talks

Techmeme

MIT OpenCourseWare

Codeacademy

Udemy

Lynda

What are some skills you'd like to improve on?

In the United States, it is illegal for a potential employer to ask, “how old are you?” in an interview. However, no law prevents them from asking for age/date of birth on a job application or background check form. So it is possible that they already know your age entering the conversation. Note, this may vary from country to country and even state to state.

Luckily, if the question gets brought up, there are ways around it. I encourage you to shift the focus away from age and focus on the skills and invaluable experience you can bring to the team!

Here are some examples:

I am confident that my years of experience in this area, coupled with my continued passion for learning, will make me an asset to your team! Former employers have embraced age diversity and valued it. Am I correct to think that [COMPANY X] shares the same mindset?

Is there a concern about some skill sets or education related to this position? I am confident that my past experiences and accomplishments make me an ideal candidate for this role. I’d love to briefly highlight some recent projects to demonstrate my ability to succeed in this position!

Ideally, the interviewer will realize what they asked was inappropriate. How they react will also say a lot about the company’s philosophy on diversity.

Have you ever faced potential ageism in your interviews?

Hey Boston, are you ready?

The Age Strong job fair is being held this Saturday, Oct 19th from 9:00am - 1:00pm at the Dewitt Center in Roxbury, Massachusetts.

Find out all the info here.

NOW is the time to make those final preparations so you are confident and ready to go! Check out these tips to help you prepare for the fair as the weekend approaches!

-Wednesday
Know the companies you are interested in and research their mission/culture TODAY. Take some time to see what they are all about and jot down some notes! Remember, your pitch should be tailored to what YOU bring to that company based on what they do. They will be impressed! Wondering who will be there? Find out here

Print and pack at least 50 copies of your resume and place them in a folder, or notebook and then tuck them away in a bag. You can run to Staples, your local library or print at home. Just make sure your resumes are easily accessible when an employer requests a copy, so you don't have to go digging for it!

-Thursday
Practice and perfect your elevator pitch so you are ready to WOW employers on the spot!!

Plan to get to the fair on time. Figure out how you will arrive and how long it will take with Google maps. Are you sharing a ride, walking, taking the train or a Lyft? Just have your plan in place! If you can, arrive a little bit early (15mins) to calm your nerves and take a lap around the room when the doors open up.

-Friday
Lay out your clothing out the day before. By planning ahead you don’t have to scramble trying to find something in the morning. Also, be sure it's clean and wrinkle-free. Check out some tips on what to wear here.

-Friday night
Go to bed early.*Even if you’re a night owl, put on those pj’s and climb into bed early enough the night before so you get a full 8 hours. You will look rested tomorrow and feel much calmer and more focused.

-Saturday morning
Eat a good breakfast. It’s true what they say, breakfast IS the most important meal of the day. It will fuel your brain/body first thing and last until lunchtime! When in doubt bring a snack to eat later to help keep you energized!

Also, be sure to practice your pitch a few times that morning. Whether it’s in the shower or on the ride over, say it a few times so you build up that confidence! What will you say in 20-30 seconds to grab that employer’s attention?

Nervous?
If you are not sure what to say when you first meet an employer, use a few of these conversation starters to get things rolling!

Wishing you the best of luck at the job fair this week! You have got this! : )

Have questions? Please ask!