It’s a common question and concern for Karen Kodzik’s more experienced clients. They often ask Kodzik, owner of Cultivating Careers and a former human resources insider who has 13 years experience as a career consultant, this question:
Will my age be a factor in the job search?
Kodzik, who works with professionals at various points in their career path to help them gain a more clear sense of where they want to take their careers, says these are the biggest stereotypes older workers feel they face:
1. They are too expensive – their salary is based on previous tenure vs. skill set.
2. They are too expensive (part 2) – from the stand point of what they could cost to a benefit plan.
3. They will coast until retirement
4. They are not current in their knowledge
5. They are not technology savvy
6. They are set in their ways
The fact is we cannot change our chronological number, Kodzik says. However there are some strategies to mitigate those concerns of prospective employers so that age does not present a barrier. Here are those strategies, according to Kodzik:
Too Expensive
I suggest clients know what their skills and experience are worth in the current market and their targeted industry. Use tools like salary.com or money.com for salary surveys as well as talking to their network regarding what a certain skill set is worth. The value of skills and experience, like anything in the market, change in different economic climates.
Too Expensive in terms of benefits
This is less of an issue for large companies who have a large pool of employees to average out the risk and cost. This is a much bigger issue for a small company where the cost of benefits is considerably higher. My suggestion to “older” workers – either focus on larger companies, or become insured through other means, like a spouse or private policy. Sometimes you can negotiate a higher salary if you waive benefit coverage.
Coast until retirement
To mitigate this concern, the “older” worker has to be able to articulate that they still have a lot to contribute. Don’t worry that you can’t offer an employer 10 years – employers these days change directions often and quickly. Touting that you can offer 3 years or so of solid contributions is very attractive to an employer. Older workers also have to demonstrate that they have the energy to keep up with the ever increasing pace of business.
They are not current in their knowledge
An “older” worker needs to demonstrate that they are up to date with trends in their field. Becoming current means doing your homework, talking to people in your industry, brush off that professional association membership.
Prove you are tech savvy
I tell my “older” clients to become familiar and comfortable using technology. The day of personal administrative assistant are close to done. They have to be able to quickly manage a lot of information and data. Become proficient with a Blackberry, IPhone, various software, and laptops.
Stuck in their ways
In the job search, in networking conversations, interviews, and in cover letters older workers have to articulate that they are flexible thinkers and willing to learn new things.
Additional Tips From Kodzik:
* Attitude is everything! Every job seeker has to enter the job market with an energetic and positive attitude.
· * Experienced workers also should shift their message from what they used to do to what they can do moving forward. This includes focusing their resume on recent accomplishments vs. job responsibilities from over 20 years ago.
· * Get current. I tell my older clients to make sure their outward appearance is current and polished including clothes, haircut and style and of glasses.
· * I also suggest that they leverage experience by talking about how they can jump in quickly, have a shorter learning curve and can draw from best practices gained throughout the years.
* Lastly, identify and pursue industries where age and experience hold a higher value.
Ageism may exist but it is just as much a frame of mind,” says Kodzik. “Using some of the suggested strategies will help minimize the effect of age in a job search.”
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Comments
What age is considered older this year? Does it matter on the profession?
edit that to what age is considered older these days?
The good news is when older workers (those over 65 anyway) do find a job, they tend to be happier according to the Pew Research Center.
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