What do you do if your age is holding you back in the Information Systems job market?

Here are the actions in my mind: Stay Updated: Keep up with the latest industry technologies and trends. Education & Certifications: Pursue relevant courses and certifications. Networking: Expand your professional network through industry events and social media. Mentoring: Offer guidance to younger professionals. Personal Projects: Engage in personal or open-source projects to showcase your skills. Personal Branding: Emphasize your experience and stability in your personal marketing. Flexibility: Be open to different positions and industries, including startups and emerging sectors.

Age can be a factor in the sum of experience and wisdom that can only be gained over the years. Instead of seeing age as a barrier, it is essential to embrace continuous learning to stay current and relevant in the market. Investing in education and professional development, participating in courses, certifications and workshops, and a plus: being open to learning from younger colleagues are key strategies to overcome the age factor. Aging can be synonymous with a well-built career, demonstrating experience, adaptability and commitment to professional excellence. By adopting this mindset, professionals can position themselves as valuable resources, capable of contributing significantly to the success of organizations, regardless of age.

In the Information Systems job market, age bias can be challenging, but it's not insurmountable. Emphasize your skills, stay updated with technology, network effectively, consider contract work, be open to different opportunities, address concerns proactively, and seek support when needed. With determination and adaptability, you can overcome age bias and succeed in your career goals.

To overcome age-related concerns in the job market, you must highlight your relevant working experiences. Relevant experience is simply experience that’s applicable to the type of jobs you’re pursuing. For example, if you’re a software engineer, you’ll want to include your current and previous engineering jobs, focusing on what competences you have developed and on the targets achieved. If you have not moved from one type of job or sector to another, it is likely that most of your work history is relevant. But every job advertisement is a bit different, so you will have to be more careful about which past responsibilities are most relevant.

Highlighting experience is crucial when age appears to be a barrier in the IT job market. Deepen the narrative about the skills acquired over the years, highlighting successful projects, complex problem solving and team leadership. Emphasize how this experience offers a unique perspective and ability to make informed decisions. By doing so, you demonstrate the added value that experience brings to the role, overcoming potential age-related concerns.

According to my experience, also as former HR manager, to overcome age-related concerns in the job market, you should improve your professional network, building and mantaining enduring relationships with your friends, former colleagues, clients and industry peers. There are several ways to do it: - attending networking events; - participating in professional groups; - creating and maintaining a strong online presence; - being genuine and building relationships based on trust and mutual help; - doing a follow-up with the people you first met.

A robust network is a reflection of solid relationships built over the years. Value connections made during your career by keeping in touch with former colleagues, mentors and clients. Take advantage of social and professional events to strengthen these bonds. A well-established network not only provides emotional and professional support, but can also open doors to job opportunities and future collaborations. By investing in building and maintaining lasting relationships, you demonstrate the importance of experience and maturity in the professional world, overcoming concerns about age in the job market.

According to my experience, It's really important to keep your CV as updated as possible, highlighting your strenghts, your attitudes and your skills. Don't forget to include also your recent training experiences/conferences, because they will make people realise that despite your age, there is still a strong desire to learn and keep up to date. Furthermore if you apply for a job posting, analyze it carefully and try to review your resume, highlighting those aspects that come closest to what they are looking for and that best represent you. The secret is to maintain a strong level of attention, without taking anything for granted.

Your resume should reflect current writing best practices and highlight your most relevant skills and experience. Use a modern format that highlights your strengths and is adapted to the technology industry. By keeping your resume updated and focused on your most relevant skills, you increase your chances of being noticed and valued by employers, regardless of age.

Seek guidance and advice from more experienced professionals in the field who can offer insights and direction based on their own professional journeys. Mentors can share their experiences, help identify opportunities for growth, and offer practical advice on how to overcome age-related obstacles. Additionally, they can provide emotional support and encouragement during times of transition or uncertainty. By leveraging the wisdom and knowledge of mentors, you can strengthen your confidence, develop new skills, and find effective ways to advance your career, regardless of age.

Never too late ... Once you made up your mind, the sky is the limit, don't let anyone/thing to stop or delay your progress. Eager for learning? The humanity doesn't knew abundance in information resources such as nowadays, limitless to place or time. In simple words, JUST DO IT

As President Ronald Reagan told us in the 1984 Presidential debates, promise not to focus on the possible youth and inexperience of younger candidates.