Fighting against Ageism to get the job you want

I am a 59 year old, over qualified technology executive who has spent the past 7 months seeking a new position and still is. After over 800 applications and all the cute form letter rejections, I began seeing early on that it wasnt my experience it was my age that companies passed on me for, which really sort of stunned me at first because they want and demand my experience but want it in someone who couldnt possibly have even lived long enough to have it!

So, here are a few things I have found and hope they help you as well if you are older and job hunting. I may have paraphrased a few other folks in my findings and suggestions and I thank them for offering their sage advice as well.

Job hunting is difficult no matter what age you are these days but especially if you are 50 or over, so attitude is the most important part of being successful. It is also one of the hardest things to maintain in the face of the storm of rejection emails one receives daily. HOld steady to your knowledge that you are valuable and worth it.

In general, looking at job sites is not as productive as knowing and communicating with a contact at a company.

Job sites want your business but have no skin in the game to actually help you other than to make themselves look good and they literally flood companies with applicants overwhelming them in many cases. I know - I said what I said. Your contacts are at least 1000x more effective than job sites when seeking out there.

No matter age, experience or level of position when it comes to seeking a new job, you are your team manager. Try to get a tribe around you by swallowing your pride and asking your friends and contacts - but never stop pushing yourself. Check with everyone you know about job possibilities and check job counseling services for tips.

While job hunting over 50 is difficult, I would even say damn near impossible at times, it depends to a large extent on which industries and jobs you are searching for. Some industries specialize in younger employees because they can pay them less and heap more work on fewer people. Don't even bother with these. They will make every excuse in the book while they practice ageism and claim you are just "not a right fit for our culture" or the classic,"we decided to go with other candidates with experience that more closely matches..." Yet, the job remains open seeking applicants months after you receive these cheap perfume wrapped stink bomb emails.

Try to focus on the types of jobs that value experience and maturity. Think about getting certified or retrained in a field that values your age or avoids ageism. Try not to get stuck in finding only one type of position. Be flexible. Take the opportunity to stretch out and learn new things you always wanted to.

On your resume, remove dates from everything over 10 years ago. Don't give HR departments the ease of immediately discard you as "pale, stale and not a sale." because most will. Sorry HR, but you do and you know it. The ones that don't are rare true gems and I applaud you. Leave the dates and details in your linked-in profile, they can go there if you actually are allowed past their ATS Cerberus.

In video interviews, don't present yourself in an aged setting or spend even a second talking about how things used to be. Focus on the future only - regardless of how well you think you may be connecting with the interviewer(s) about the past - that is a huge mistake because once the interview ends despite their enjoyment of the trip down memory lane they have to either put checks in boxes or pass based on future, not past. Also do not talk too much. Answer their questions and keep yours brief and to the point. No rambling.

Also check into Federal, State and City regulations on Age requirements for businesses and/or look for companies that advertise they do not discriminate. When you think a company is discriminating mention that you know what the regulations are.

Whatever you do don’t give up but keep looking into creaiive ways to find something that works for you. If all else fails, hang out your own shingle and go into business for yourself.

I am out there with you and as I discover I will share.