Older Workers Find Way to Avoid Age Bias

Nancy Anderson
Posted by in Career Advice •


Looking for work as an older job seeker can seem like an impossible task. However, many older workers are finding ways to avoid age discrimination and carve out rewarding careers for themselves.

Many older job seekers have successfully found jobs in small organizations, such as startups and non-profits, who are in need of the experience that older workers can offer. Startups often do not have the time or money to train young graduates who are fresh out of college, so an older job seeker who can fit easily into the role is an asset for this kind of company. Older workers also provide valuable experience, which complements the enthusiasm of the often young startup founders.

The key to finding work as an older job seeker is to present your lengthy experience of work as an asset, not a flaw, as well as dispelling common myths about older people. For example, many people assume that anyone over 60 is a technophobe, so older job seekers need to put a little more effort into their resumes to ensure they dispel this false impression. Including details about your IT skills on your resume is essential as an older job seeker. Maintaining an active presence on social media sites such as LinkedIn can also show that you are ready to embrace new technologies.

There is also a common assumption that older job seekers expect high salaries and prestigious positions as a result of their extensive experience. If you are happy to go back to a position that you held a few years ago, you may need to make this clear on your resume, along with explaining in your cover letter why you feel this position is right for you.

Some older workers successfully found jobs by retraining. Earning a new qualification in middle or later life allows you to move into a new industry, which can bring new challenges and avoids the problem of appearing overqualified for roles within your own field. Technology certifications can also help to show that an older job seeker has the up-to-date skills that many people assume older workers lack.

In an interview, older job seekers need to exhibit a get-up-and-go attitude to overcome any prejudices that the recruiter may hold about older people. As with any job search, the key to finding work as an older job seeker is to be enthusiastic and present evidence that shows you are the best person for the job. Older job seekers have an advantage here, as they have plenty of experience on which to draw from.

Older job seekers face obstacles that would not be present if they were younger. The average period of unemployment for someone over 55 is almost one year, whereas younger people average only seven months looking for work. However, you can beat the odds by maintaining a positive attitude and disproving commonly held attitudes about older people.

 

Photo courtesy of Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net


 
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  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Cynthia so sorry you are encountering age discrimination. Have you considered trying another field? Maybe even going back to school for a certificate in another field or go for a degree. The retail market can be fierce and yes they always seem to be looking for younger staff to put out in front of customers. Hope you are able to find a new position soon. We wish you all the best.

  • Cynthia C.
    Cynthia C. •

    This is a challenge that I have been experiencing since my relocation. On interviews the often asked why I just don't reapplied to previous jobs on my resume and they are looking for younger staffing in the retail market.

  • Patricia Hussey
    Patricia Hussey •

    I found your tutorial to be engaging and helpful

  • EDWARD P. GIBSON
    EDWARD P. GIBSON •

    Age is but a number; it's how one uses the wisdom acquired along the way that counts.

  • Betty Porcher
    Betty Porcher •

    I found older workers are more productive and stay busy at the work place.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Malissa the answer to that question depends. You don't have to go into detail during an interview. If asked why did you leave your job, you can give a reason (without bad-mouthing the company or your former boss) and then say what you have learned from it. This is what employers want. They know that people get "fired' for many reasons - and not always due to anything that the employee actually did. They want to know that they will not have the same issue with you at their company. Never go into full detail though. Just straightforward and to the point and then move on.

  • Malissa B.
    Malissa B. •

    What do you say during an interview if you were fired?

  • TERRANCE P.
    TERRANCE P. •

    Uber does it. Be your own boss. Make your own hours. Your in control!

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Elissa thank you for your comment. Very refreshing to hear from someone who is happy in their job. Usually all we hear are sad tales and woes. Thank you and best of luck to you.

  • Elissa LaFonte
    Elissa LaFonte •

    I am 45 and I work at Jack In The Box....best job ever I'm like one of the guys....I do my job and have fun at the same time lol

  • VOFEE KROMAH
    VOFEE KROMAH •

    THANKS.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Richard yours is a very typical plight in today's world. So questions for you: have you tried networking events? Job Fairs? Going through your college's career counselor for help and job placement? If you have the skills and can do self-employment, go for it. What better way to gain experience than to throw yourself into it - on your own dime? You could talk up your business with family and friends and gradually move on to people you meet, etc. Many folks have created their own companies because they couldn't find work elsewhere. Many of those folks have failed but just as many, if not more, have made it. We wish you all the best.

  • Richard B.
    Richard B. •

    PS: I have more of a technological background then almost anyone I have interviewed with. This doesn't help,and it may do me more harm than good because I'm to advanced.

  • Richard B.
    Richard B. •

    Age discrimination is a major factor in finding a job, any job. The cost of going back to school is not financially feasible for many. Trying to work for a start up is not likly to be a long term endeavor . I have looked for real employment after returning to college for a degree. It was a waste of time and money as I have look for employment using my degree for many years. All I ever hear is " What, you have no experience". Now my expectations are much lower yet it does not help me at all. I feel strongly that the only solution is selfemployment. Any one need a pot holder? I have all colors!

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @William that is so true. Thank you for that. We do need to keep up with the current technologies. We need to keep abreast of changes in our environment and be able to move our company forward. @Robert you are so right that you can't buy experience. All we can do is hope that employers start seeing that again and start hiring older workers who have the experience and know-how. This is all a cycle that happens about every 20 years. While in the service this happened to me also. It was decided that the more senior members needed to make arrangements to retire whether they were ready or not. So we were forced out in order to keep the numbers down. What happened? Within a year or two they realized the error of their ways but it was too late. So all of the senior expertise was gone and they had to scramble to try to add civilian contract positions so that they could hire back the same people they had just forced out. So you see - it's all a cycle. Best we can do is take advantage of any downtime and add more skills/education to our resume. Best of luck.

  • Robert K.
    Robert K. •

    I never thought that in my profession, that age would be a factor. But working in the Huuman Services or Education fields, commerce is again reaching it's wicked hand in the well, and poisoning the fabric of passing down wisdom and providing relief, through experienced intervention, and sound clinical judgement, that comes from experience. You can't buy that at any price.

  • William G.
    William G. •

    Showing our experience AND our involvement in newer technologies is critical to deflecting the assumption that our age implies that we are slowing down. It's important to get ahead of these assumptions with enthusiasm, energy, and an exposure to current capabilities. Thanx for this article.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Eliot I dare say that the posters are truly looking for advice and are willing to consider its value. Many of us are currently experiencing age discrimination or have experienced it. Any advice is valuable advice and your experience may help someone. So certainly advice is welcome.

  • Eliot S.
    Eliot S. •

    While I certainly understand the frustration associated with age discrimination - and I am sure I have experienced it - so many posts, stripped of the emotions, simply identify the problem. The problem is a given, so there is no value in focusing on the evidence of its existence. So, I wonder, are such posters seeking advice (and willing to consider its value), or are they just venting? I can sometimes offer helpful advice, but I am sometimes ridiculed for doing so. And, no, I don't profess to be some sort of expert, I just have enough unfortunate experience.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Confidential we certainly hear your pain and frustration. While it is probably true that some employers are like that, the majority of them are not. If what you way is true about this company, you could take them to court for age discrimination. Some job postings do indicate that they want fun, energetic go-getters and will say that if you are not one of these, do not apply. To me, everyone has a different definition of what it means to be fun or energetic but, of course, that is left to the discretion of the hiring manager. Don't give up. There is a job out there for you. Before you apply for a position, try to do some research on them. You might be able to find them on LinkedIn which should give you the opportunity to see the current team and then decide if you want to apply. From my perspective, if I see that the team is all in their 20's and 30's, I move on because I know I would not be a good fit. The upside is that in today's world, you can do this whereas in the past, you went in blindly. The downside is that in today's world you can do this and maybe not apply for a position that was made for you. So try doing your due diligence before applying for a position or before signing a contract. We wish you all the best.

  • Confidential U.
    Confidential U. •

    Only in America, the land of EOE, is the biggest discrimination ever. You see the ads, "smokers need not apply". Let's add additions - "Age 35-65 need not apply," - yes really, recently signed an independent consultant agreement for employee benefits enrolled and never received one assignment - come to find out the company's (top supplemental benefits company) recruitment documents flat out and flagrantly adopt discriminative hiring, i,e contract those between 21-35, and appearance. How about - "company proudly hires Military," i.e, not a returning military (young vet) do not apply, company is proudly only interested In the government kick-back they receive. How about ads that state "energetic, go-getter, fun, enthusiastic...," - over 35, overweight, or weathered need not apply, this is appearance discrimination. Companies do a great job of creating their position summaries, educational and background qualifications for postings, they just don't hire people based on this document.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Eliot that is very true that temp agencies are a great way to go. This was also true 20 years ago where the temp agency was the best way to get into a company. Temping and consulting seem to be a growing phenomenon in our society today. So very true that once you get in the door then you can really start selling yourself and letting the company know that you are seeking permanent employment. Best of luck.

  • Eliot S.
    Eliot S. •

    A great way for older workers to get a job is through temporary or contracted services. In such cases, companies, usually through an agency, hire people for specific projects or tasks. They intend to keep people only until the tasks is completed. In these cases, they usually want someone with great experience who can get right to the task. They also don't care about the costs of healthcare, retirement, etc., because they don't pay any of that for temps. (usually). Once there, you can impress the employer and many times they find a permanent position for you. If not, at least you have been working while looking for something more permanent.

  • Shelly T.
    Shelly T. •

    The offerings where I live are slim. Many or most of the postings for jobs ask for experience, but in the end, they end up hiring someone that they can mold, rather than someone who has a clue.

  • Mike S.
    Mike S. •

    How do you overcome the fact that people over 50 cause a companies insurance rates to rise?

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