By: Robin Carlen
One of the biggest concerns of my clients over 40 is that they are “too old” and can’t complete with the younger people who are also looking for jobs. While I spend a lot of time coaching them about the tools and processes they need to be successful in their job search, equally as important is their willingness to look at their attitude about age to be sure they aren't sabotaging themselves.
If you are struggling with your age when it comes to your job search, or career change, these are some of the things you can do to change your “old ways” of thinking and acting to "new ways" that will improve your chances of landing your next job:
Old Way: Stop telling yourself: “I’m too old”, “There is just too much competition out there”, or “Employers don’t want to hire people my age.” I understand this can be hard to do. We can all fall into the negative thinking trap when it comes to issues we think are impacting us, and I'm no exception. Staying in that negative place doesn't help, though. Challenge yourself to change how you are looking at your situation.
New Way: Start telling yourself this instead: “I’m over 40…50…60, and I have a lot of experience to offer that is a benefit to employers. I will land another job, even though it might take some time.” The time it will take you to find your next opportunity has to a lot to do with the jobs you are targeting, how strong your experience and skills are, and the effort you are making. And if your attitude about your age is negative, that will also have a significant impact on your results.
Old Way: Stop believing the fallacy that, when a company hires another candidate, it’s because you are lacking in some serious way. A biotech scientist I worked with was one of two people being considered for a job she really wanted. When the company hired the other person, she told me “I know it’s because I’m over 40. I’m just going to stop looking”. She was in tears as she said this and on the verge of giving up, but I convinced her to continue. About a month later, she was hired into another scientist role at a great company.
New Way: The reasons certain candidates are hired can be complex, and usually age has very little to do with it. Instead, they are usually hired because of their experience, skills, and fit. There are steps you can take to stand out against the competition, but the fact is, there is still competition, and sometimes you will “lose”. If you let the challenging times get you down, and give up too soon, you will never find out what other opportunities will be coming your way.
Old Way: "I’m competing against a lot of people who are not only younger than me, but also have more current skills and experience. Why should I even try?” Yes, it is true that, as we get older, the people we are competing against will be noticeably younger, and often they will have critical skills that we don’t. But sometimes they may not be the best candidate for the job, and you may be a better fit. More on that below.
New Way: You have skills that those who are significantly younger than you don’t, and you also have a depth of experience and knowledge based on things that have happened to you on the job---and in life--over the years. This is invaluable to companies who need what you have offer. When you are going through a job search, it’s very easy to forget this. Instead of focusing on what you don’t have to offer, focus, instead, on what you do have to offer. Make a list of your strengths and accomplishments to share with prospective employers. Also look for companies that value people with experience and knowledge that can benefit the company and its customers.
Old Way: On occasion I come across a client who “cops an attitude” about how they are going to approach employers and the job search. They’ve never used LinkedIn, and they tell me they don’t want to open an account for whatever reason. Or, they refuse to consider that resume format, job search strategies, interviewing protocol and other components of the job search have changed significantly since they were last looking for a job. In essence, they are not open to new ways of doing things. And this can be a big impediment to finding another job.
New Way: It's true that recruiters and hiring managers will sometimes be concerned that candidates over a certain age may be too rigid, “stuck in their ways”, or lacking in certain key skills. Consider what you can do to be sure you're not perceived in this way and be willing to do the work involved. You can do this by ensuring you're up to date with your job search tools, processes, and skills by taking a class if you need to.
Contact me at robin@robincarlen.com or (650) 773-5630 for more information about career coaching services, training and events. To subscribe to our newsletter, visit the website at: https://www.robincarlen.com
(Originally posted on March 20, 2016)