How Old Are You?

Does age matter in the employment market? In a word “Yes”. But it doesn’t have to. I believe that most people in the job market don’t spend enough time investing in a strategy for their job search. As people, we prefer the road of least resistance. We want to find the easiest way to get what we want and need. But that is not going to get you the results you want or need in your job search. It is going to take sweat equity and elbow grease to work through your job search. From finding potential job opportunities, to getting the interview and converting it into a job offer that you will say “yes” to. Finding a job in this market will not be an easy task, but it is doable, no matter how old you are.

Unfortunately older job seekers seem to struggle with their age when sitting in front of hiring managers and recruiters. Many times as an older job seeker they go into an interview with a fixed belief that they will not get the job. I believe that is a mistake. I am a firm believer that what you think or believe about yourself will be precisely what you have as a result. So if you think you can’t get a job today because of your age, you are absolutely correct. If you believe no one will hire you because of your age, you’re right again.

Here’s the point – if you believe that you have skills and abilities of value to an employer, now you have a launching pad, a place to begin to develop your job search strategy. You will find a job and your age will fade in the eyes of the hiring manager as you share how you will add value to their organization. That is the key! Knowing who you are, understanding their business, identifying problems you can solve and being able to articulate those things to the hiring manager. If you can do that, age will be a data point on your application, but the organization won’t care. Employers are looking for people that can hit the ground running, demonstrate flexibility, and solve problems. Can you do those things? Notice that none of these things has anything to do with age.

As an older job seeker, get your age out of your head. Focus on your skills and abilities. Update gaps in your skills. If you are not comfortable with computers, get comfortable. If you need to strengthen your written and oral communication skills, work on them so that they are not deal breakers. It is your responsibility to keep your skills current. Don’t let your age be a data point for why you are not employed. Go after the jobs you want and don’t let anything get in your way!

Image Credit: sxc.hu