Breaking the Age Barrier

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Breaking the

age barrierFINDING A JOB AS AN OLDER OR YOUNGER WORKER

The First Step…

Get tough

and

believe in

yourself!

If you are agonizing over a possible

age bias in the job market, you’re

setting yourself up for failure.

With effective research,

preparation and self-analysis….

What

challenges

do older

jobseekers

face?

Employer Concerns

Cost more than a younger worker in terms

of salary, benefits, insurance

More set in their ways

Have less energy and focus

Take off more days for sick leave

Uncomfortable or unfamiliar with latest

technology

May be resentful if they have to work under

a younger supervisor

Myths about Older Workers

Myth:

Older workers

can’t or won’t

learn new skills.

Reality:Older workers have better study

attitudes than younger workers. The

fastest growing group of Internet

users is people over 50; many are

taking courses to enhance their skills.


Myth:

Older workers take more sick

days than younger workers.

Reality:

Attendance records are actually better

for older workers than younger workers.


Myth:

Older workers are a bad investment

because they are near retirement.

Reality:

People are living longer, healthier lives and

are choosing to work longer. Additionally,

older workers tend to be very loyal.


Myth:Older workers are

not as productive

as younger workers.

Reality:Productivity can rise due to greater worker

accuracy, dependability, and capacity to make

better on-the-spot judgments; production rates are

steadier than those of other age groups.


Myth:

Older workers are more costly to the bottom line.

Reality:

Older workers are typically more

punctual, have better work attendance

and habits, and lower turnover.

What

challenges

do younger

workers

face?

Employer Concerns

Need constant praise

They have no experience or maturity

They’ll leave instantly for a higher paying

job

No respect for authority or loyalty

Not interested in climbing the ladder

They think they know everything

Myths about Younger Workers

Myth:

Younger

workers are

self-centered.

Reality:

Younger workers are

looking for quick

feedback,

meaningful

involvement, and tips

on how to improve.


Myth:

Younger workers have no

respect for authority. Reality:

Younger workers believe

that respect must be

earned, but then loyalty

is given fiercely.


Myth:

Younger workers don’t

want to put in any work

or start at the bottom.

Reality:

Younger workers are

willing to put in the

work, but want to

know that they’ll be

justly compensated.

They want to know the

work they’re doing has

meaning.


Myth:

Younger workers

have no face-to-

face social skills.

Reality:

Younger workers are in

tune with the latest

technology. Their

generation also greatly

values cooperation and

collaboration.


Myth:

Younger workers

think they know

more than their

more experienced

coworkers.

Reality:

Younger workers are still

in the mindset of

learning, and are just

waiting to be taught and

molded. They also want

to share all their

knowledge of new

techniques and

technology.

Advice for jobseekers

facing age stereotypes

1. Your best weapon:

Positive Attitude!

Do you have a good attitude about life, work, and your job prospects?

Nick Corcodilos, Headhunter

“If you’ve had some bad experiences with

people who have misjudged you because

of your age, you’re walking around with

some baggage that is hard to hide. Watch

it! You could be battering an otherwise

open-minded employer with your attitude

that he just doesn’t want you around.”

Focus on the things you can

control and sell your good points!

Make age an asset,

not a crutch.

2. Don’t stereotype yourself



Dress appropriately, professionally,

and up-to-date

Don’t use outdated words or phrases

Don’t use “text speak”

Show the employer that you’re open

to new challenges and whatever may

come your way

3. Upgrade your skills and get

tech savvy!



There’s often a perception that

older workers aren’t comfortable

with the latest technology.

Use www.gcflearnfree.org for free

tutorials on many computer programs.

http://www.gcflearnfree.org/

4. Do your homework!

Do a thorough assessment

Examine your values, interests, skills,

experience, education and training

Review your accomplishments and write

them down

Do your research: companies, contacts,

trends, industries, etc.



5. Make finding a job

your current job.

How much time do you actually spend

job seeking?

If you’d like to work 40 hours per week, you

should be job searching 40 hours per week.



6. Network, Network, Network!



Talk to anyone

you think might

be able to help

you get your

foot in the door

Networking

FamilyFriends

Former Co-Workers

Customers

Business Associates

NeighborsTrade Shows

College

Alumni

Clubs

Civic

Organizations

Combine Face-to-Face

and Social Networking

“Network in new ways. Old-

school, off-line networking is

still essential, but incorporating

social networking into the mix

is crucial.”

- Amy Levin-Epstein

7. Uncover the Hidden

Job Market

Only about 20% of jobs

are advertised



4 Steps to Uncover the

Hidden Job Market:

1. Determine exactly what type of job

you are seeking

2. Identify employers who need your skills

3. Research those employers to better

understand their culture

4. Craft a compelling cover letter and

focused resume

Resume Writing 101:

Tips for the Mature Worker

1. Have a resume that looks

forward, not backward

Change the perspective from “look

at everything I have done” to “look

at everything I can do for you.”

Resume Writing 101:


2. Make sure your resume

reflects today’s trends in

format, style, and content

Resume Writing 101:


3. All about the timing

Most resume experts recommend trimming

your resume back to the most recent 10

years, unless the experience is relevant.

4. Always be relevant, honest,

creative, and strategic

Resume Writing 101:


No company is in business to employ anyone; they’re

in business to be successful and turn a profit.

Your resume should demonstrate that you can jump

right in and contribute to the bottom line!

1. Dig deep

Resume Writing 101:

Tips for the Inexperienced Worker

List internships, volunteer work, and special skills or

leadership positions. This counts as experience, too.

2. Tailor your resume

for each position

Resume Writing 101:


Use key words from the job posting.

3. It’s not all about you

Resume Writing 101:


Rather than focusing on what you

want, illustrate how you can give the

employer what they want.

4. Show quality

through quantity

Resume Writing 101:


Use specific numbers, percentages, and

dollar amounts as much as possible.

5. Proofread

Resume Writing 101:


Even one grammar or spelling error can

ruin your chances at the job!

1. “Tell me about yourself.”

Interviewing Tips

Have your 30 second elevator

pitch ready

Focus on professional

accomplishments

Relate your experience to the

specific company and position

2. “How would you

describe yourself?”

Demonstrate an excitement for the job, but

remain level-headed. Highlight examples of your

willingness to learn and take on new projects,

your readiness to be a team player, and your

ability to remain flexible and/or handle stress.

Interviewing Tips

3. “Will you be comfortable

working for someone younger?”

Some employers may be

concerned that older

workers will be reluctant

to accept younger

managers or bosses.

“I’ve learned something from

every manager that I’ve had.

Age is not a determining factor

in leadership. Both younger and

older people are capable of

leading and managing.”

Interviewing Tips

4. “What is your

greatest weakness?”

Use a real, work-related example

Answer in a positive manner

Show how you’ve overcome or are

working to overcome a weakness

Interviewing Tips

Being overqualified

The employer may

be concerned that

you’ll grow

dissatisfied and

leave or that you

will accept the

position as an

interim solution.

They might be

worried about how

well you would work

with a line manager

and peer groups

who are potentially

younger and less

qualified than you.

The Key: Pre-empt the recruiter’s questions,

concerns, or objections with solid answers.

“There’s also the value of all the

training that other companies have

invested in me (thousands of dollars).

You’d be getting all that value without having to pay an extra dime for it.”

“ Because of my strong

experience in _______, I could

start to contribute right away!”

Being overqualified

“I’ve thought about that

long and hard before

applying for this specific

position. And here’s

why I know I would do

well in this job…” “Because of the experience

I’ve had, I believe I would bring

a really interesting perspective to this opportunity.”

“I have extensive experience

in this industry. I’d love to

apply that insight to solving

problems and creating

successes for your company.”

Show PASSION,

CONFIDENCE,

and ENERGY!

Demonstrate

your value and

how you’re

going to make

their company

a success,

and…

We hope you found this

information helpful. Check us out

at www.miworksmo.org.

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Breaking the Age Barrier