Age discrimination has been alive and well in the job market for as long as I’ve been around, and it will continue to be pervasive at all levels in all companies. It’s not pleasant to think of, but it’s a reality. For job seekers in their early 50’s and older, there’s often a perceived ambition or energy level that (often unfairly) signals that older candidates might not be as much of a go-getter as younger candidates, often resulting in older candidates getting passed over for positions.It’s possible, however, for jobs candidates in their 50’s and older to be proactive and work hard in order to keep from being viewed as “behind the times.” Here’s how:
Stay current. Fight or stay ahead of the perception of ageism by staying current in your discipline, be it marketing, finance, or sales and so on. This means keeping up with what is going on within the industry and making sure your skills are those that are relevant today, rather than those that were relevant 10 years ago. Work hard to expand your portfolio by widening your skill set, your knowledge base, your technology proficiency, and your professional network. Do this in any way you can: Volunteer for opportunities within your current company, take an online class or a night class in your spare time, and do leisure reading of blogs and magazines that relate to your field. Do what it takes to make it happen and learn those in-demand skills.
Embrace social media. Social media is no longer an up-and-coming space in our world — it’s arrived, and it’s here to stay for the foreseeable future. It is very prevalent and is accepted by many, and thus, job candidates regardless of age should have a broad network and presence online. So to make yourself visible and communicate that you’re current, get on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. This is not to say that you need to follow 1,400 people and have hundreds of followers. But what you do need to do is to put forth the effort and make your presence known online.
Put forward a positive presentation. For job seekers at any age, making a good first impression is important. Part of the first impression, of course, is appearance. Maintain a healthy, active, and energetic presence, and adapt your wardrobe to the times and to the place you’re going to work or interview. In many creative and startup job settings, for example, casual attire is perfectly acceptable. In finance and sales, however, traditional professional attire is typically still appropriate. Do your research and make an effort to be sure you’re putting your best foot forward.
With these proactive steps, job seekers in their 50’s and older can fight back against ageism in the job market and put themselves in a better position to land the jobs they want.
