Six Ways to Overcome Ageism in Your Job Search

By the time you get into your 50s, you may feel that you deserve to rest a bit on your laurels, having worked for 25 years or more. The reality is that no matter your age, your career is in your hands, and you need to own it.

According to executive coach, Rebecca Zucker, “A common misperception is that the unemployment rate for older workers is higher than that of younger workers. That’s not the case, but once out of work, older job seekers have greater difficulties landing a new position. Mature workers are reliable, flexible, experienced, and have valuable institutional knowledge. You have every reason to believe you can rise above age discrimination and remain as productive as you want to be. “

If you are in your 50s or 60’s what can you do to increase your chances of finding a new position especially when it’s likely the person interviewing you will be half your age? Here are six tips for marketing yourself when you’ve been in the job market for more than 25 years.

1.    Tap your network—Although it’s possible to get hired from an online posting or through a recruiter, more than 70% of job seekers land a new role through a networking contact. Companies would much prefer to hire someone willing to vouch for you. It lowers their risk of making a bad hire.

2.    Know Your Marketable Skills — One of my clients worked for years in a publishing company's traffic department, managing the scheduling and workflow of print magazines. With print publications nearly extinct, finding a job in the publishing industry was unlikely. After assessing his skills, Joe realized that he excelled at developing complex schedules, organizing projects, and meeting deadlines. He successfully landed a job in an advertising agency managing the daily workflow of multi-media advertising projects; TV, print, radio, and digital because he explained how his skills translated to online media.

3.    Focus on your ability to get the job done—The purpose of a resume and interview is to convince the hiring manager that you have the skills to do the job. Don't list jobs you had 20+ years ago if they are not relevant, and don't mention your age during the interview process. Equally as important, don’t comment on the age of a younger manager. Even if an apparent age difference during an interview makes you anxious, try and find a way to relate to the business challenges they face and your enthusiasm for helping to solve them.

4.    Update your image—Your posture, gesture, voice, and facial expression all contribute to that crucial first impression. Ask someone you trust to give you feedback on your hairstyle, clothes, and other aspects of your appearance. It’s important to look contemporary and age-appropriate. And, if you haven't purchased a new pair of glasses since Bill Clinton was President, do it now. Nothing ages a person more than outdated eyeglasses.

5.    Master video interviewing—For the foreseeable future, most interviews will take place over a video platform. Getting comfortable with the technology and knowing how to present yourself confidently when remote is critical to your success. Here’s what hiring managers look for in video interviews. If you're not sure what to wear, check out what award-winning media producer Paula Rizzo advises.

6.    Get social —The millennial generation is the wired generation. Social media has become ubiquitous in business to drive marketing and client engagement. The fastest way to date yourself is to be unfamiliar with it. Ask a child, grandchild, or colleague to mentor you. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment from mastering a new skill your mentor will be proud of showing off their knowledge.

Ageism in a job search is a real issue. Just like your younger colleagues, keep your network active and your options open. Spend some time each year updating your resume and your LinkedIn profile. At the end of the day, the best way to prevent yourself from falling victim to age discrimination is to stay on top of your career game. Finding companies and roles that value employees for their skill sets are key to staying employed as a mature worker.