As jobs are being cut under the current economic circumstances, many employers are becoming reluctant to hire employees who are over 50. Possible reasons for this include predeterminations that senior employees are out of touch with the “modern” work place, less productive, and simply worn out. In today’s job market, here are some steps that can be taken to overcome the age bias that is becoming more prevalent in the hiring process:
- When interviewing, present yourself as a vibrant and fully capable employee. If an employer sees that you’re able to work in the position you’ve applied for and that you’re excited about it, you’re closing a huge gap in any potential age bias by seeming as lively as younger interviewees.
- The one thing you always have to your advantage is work experience. If a 50-year-old and a 30-year-old are applying for the same job, an employer knows, without even having to ask, that the 50-year-old is far more experienced. The interviewer will not overlook this benefit to hiring an older employee. Combine this with a great self-presentation, and you become a very appealing prospective employee.
- Use your connections. Having been working for a longer period of time, you have built business relationships which are either fewer or weaker for younger applicants. You certainly have a number of colleagues who can recommend you to future employers as a capable and reliable worker. Sure, most employers realize you know how to work, but when they see that you can and will work diligently, your age, as it should, becomes an irrelevant factor in getting–and keeping–your job.
Some final thoughts on ageism in the job market:
- One ExecuNet survey suggests that 91% of 258 employers consider age to be a significant factor beyond 50.
- Human resources professionals and hiring managers know that somebody 50 or older is more likely to stay longer, be more dedicated, and be absent less than the average 30-year-old.
- Don’t be adverse to taking a decrease in pay.
Don’t let your own age discourage your job search. As the experienced worker, you should always have more to offer to employers than younger employees, even if that does include age itself.
