Job Seekers Over 40 Need To Focus On Things You Can Control To Beat Ageism

A reader commented on my article yesterday relating age 40, 50, and 60 job search problems to cognitive decline.

Reader DH commented:?"Part of the problem has to do with our chemical makeup and our ability to process information. For many, their fluid intelligence peaks in their 30s. When they reach their mid-40s or 50s, it becomes harder to problem-solve in novel situations. They rely more on their crystallized intelligence, experience, and wisdom."

Not only is that terribly insulting (and an ageist comment about ageism), it portrays job search over 40 as something out of your control, when it is very much in your control.

You can't control cognitive decline ... while you can be a continuous learner (as DH advocates this later in his comment), does that mean that anyone over 40 that dedicates their life to their family instead of continuous learning, is screwed if they're looking for a new position? While continuous learning may be critical to job functions undergoing continuous change (like technology), it has a much lower importance for most positions.

Good thing that there are far more important things to your job search that you can control. You know that you're far more effective than an age 20 or 30 competitor, even one that's also qualified.

But what you don't know is what's hurting your job search ... because you don't know how to prove that you're far more effective than younger, less experienced, and less expensive competitors. You know you're the better choice! But you don't know how to prove it to hiring managers.

The ability to prove that you'll provide far more impact, even at higher compensation levels, is something that you can learn, and can use to change your resume/interviews/job search strategies.

And when you do, you'll be able to get employers to see your age as your superpower, not as a risk.

I help people solve the most difficult job search problems, including job search acceleration, getting past ATSs, ageism, remote positions, product/job function/career/industry/ geographic change, unemployment, "bouncy" recent career path, job search turnaround, seeking raise/promotion, industry in decline/consolidation, long term gaps, family leave, or other of the most challenging job search issues.

Join me for my next free Resume Revolution! webinar (enroll at https://x.resumewebinar.com/register for no charge) to learn how accelerate your job search, so you can find your next job fast in 2023.

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