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"The employer loved me on the phone, saying I had a great resume, good skillset. Everything was terrific until I walked into the interview and they saw I was a 53 year old lady, THEN their faces literally dropped," complained this new career counseling client.
Seems employers don't want to hire OLDER workers these days - a common complaint that I seem to hear a lot.
Age discrimination is rampant right now with hiring employers being extraordinarily picky about whom they offer a job to. Over 20 million Americans got unemployment in 2009, with over
7 million being over age 40, according to the US government.
Ok, so age discrimination is illegal but that sure doesn't stop employers from making decisions and not hiring you if they think you are "too old". Employers are savvy enough to not come right out and say, ‘You're old; we don't want you,' but their actions reflect their attitude: high layoffs of older employees and more hiring of younger workers. Today's employers often believe that someone under 40 will work for a lower salary, may seem more eager, shows more initiative, has a ‘fire-in-their-belly' success attitude, will likely have better computer skills, and comes across more adaptable, less old fashion or struck in their ways.
I've got twenty years of hiring experience. To write Over 40 + You're Hired!, I interviewed decision makers, CEOs, senior executives, hiring managers - anyone who makes hiring decisions - to give you the insider track on how to get hired. This book outlines same job search plan my career counseling clients use. It's there success that proves this process will show you how to effectively standout and appeal to employers in spite of age discrimination and floods of competition.
Any baby boomer needs to recognize these age stereotypes exist. The first thing I tell my over-40 clients: #1 DON'T LOOK OLD! You must be perceived as the person who is the solution to the employer's problem of whom to hire. One slip on your resume and you're dead. You need to have a resume full of accomplishments. Keep it focused on the last 10 years, don't go back further than that. (Believe me -I know I've written more than 5000 resumes for clients during my 25 year career.) You need to be educated about what is happening in your field, you need to be continually learning and adding skills to your repertory, and above all, you must have (OR GET QUICK!) great computer skills.
A surprising fact that most boomers fail to realize is that their ATTITUDE is a major stumbling block. Too many mature workers show up looking weatherworn, tired, defeated, desperate, just plain OLD and worn out. You must have an enthusiastic attitude that radiates energy that insures you can do the job. The image you set forth must come across looking as vibrant and contemporary as possible. Hiring in today's market is a whole new ball game. You must have the right approach for success will happen.
Order this book, find resources and tools at: www.RobinRyan.com
PS I created a special over-40 job search website section reserved expressly for book buyers including downloads, resources, and valuable tools to give you the upper hand...details are inside Over 40 & you're Hired.
