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Act Your Age
Act Your Age – the Right Way
There is no doubt that the workplace is changing, and is increasingly skewed toward the young. That’s understandable, but it means that we have to be aware of what it takes to be successful in this new workplace.
On average, older workers will take longer to find a suitable opportunity, and most likely will have relatively fewer opportunities to interview. Of course, this depends on many factors including the realities of the local job market, willingness to travel or relocate, and many more.
Make no mistake – young or old, employers are looking for someone who will “fit in”. Compatibility with a company’s culture is just as important as having the right skill set.
- Never underestimate the value of understanding company culture. Sure, you always went to work in a suit and highly polished shoes but if the company you’re aiming for is jeans-casual, you will stand out for all the wrong reasons. While you’re at it, get rid of elastic waists, double knits, white socks with dress shoes, or any clothing that rightly belongs on the golf course unless you’re applying at a pro shop. It was never more true, and recruiters will tell you - dress for the job you want. A quick story: a woman I know told me that when she is offered an interview, she drives to the company a day or two in advance pretending to be lost. Once inside, she sizes up the people and they way they look and interact, which makes her better prepared for the actual interview;
- Have a plan, and work it! Let’s face it: finding a job IS your job right now. You will have to expend at least as much effort finding a new job as you did working your last one. Use the internet, job boards, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and any other tools you need to get yourself out there. Which brings me to…
- Learn and use new technology. A lot of older folks seem to take pride in their “fuddy-duddy” approach to technology – you know, like not being able to program the remote. The days of just mailing off a resume and waiting for a phone call are over, if they ever existed. Utilizing technology to its fullest can demonstrate to an employer that you are flexible and willing to learn new things, in addition to opening doors to new job opportunities. Remember, continuous lifetime learning is the key to resilience;
- Learn to use email effectively for business. Forget about formatting like a friendly letter. Keep it crisp, concise, and to the point. Always spell-check, but remember that spell check will not catch incorrect word usage (“to” for “too”). Remember, too, that USING ALL CAPS IS NEVER APPROPRIATE;
- Right here, right now, resolve to break any bad conversation habits you have that make you seem old. Don’t talk about your health, your operations, or what you can’t do physically or intellectually. Don’t go on about how everything was better “in the old days” or how “everyone looks like a teenager”. Likewise be aware of, and don’t disparage, popular media, music, and culture. You don’t have to like Lady Gaga or Lady Antebellum but it will help if you can distinguish between them;
- Polish up your skills, and be realistic about what jobs are available. Try this: for at least two weeks, survey a job site like “Indeed.com” or Monster to see what type of jobs are available where you live. After that period, you may decide to take training to upgrade your skills, or to change fields altogether if your job seems to be becoming obsolete. You might also want to consider relocation or traveling further if the skill set you are offering is not in demand where you live;
- Polish up your image. Take advantage of opportunities to become more fit, improve your appearance, or lose weight if necessary. People have resorted to cosmetic surgery to better their odds in this market and gain a competitive edge. Whatever you do, you want to present yourself as someone ready to hit the ground running;
- Attitude is everything. If you go into an interview thinking that your age will hold you back, it will. It may sound corny, but making a list of your “plusses” or writing or reciting a daily affirmation like “I am the best person for this job” can go a long way toward raising your spirits and keeping you moving forward.
You can think of your job hunt as a project, or a challenge, or a competition. However you approach it, it helps to have as many tools as possible to keep you ahead of the pack. Good luck!
