4. Look after yourself
While your focus will be on finding a new job, this is a particularly important time to be looking after yourself. You will want to present an image of being "healthy, motivated and confident" and the best way to do this is to be these. You should be eating well, exercising, and keeping in touch with contacts and friends. Now is the time to be networking even more than when you were employed. (LifeTwo recommends the book "Never Eat Alone" for networking tips).
5. Appearance matters
Appearance really does matter in job interviews. For mature workers you will want to once again confront the stereotype of being an older person. This doesn't mean dressing to look young, but instead looking up-to-date and modern. The BBC article also emphasizes the importance of not coming off as condescending if interviewed by a younger person and make sure the interviewer walks away with the feeling that you are at ease working with people of all ages.
6. Don't let the process get to you
Make no mistake about it, looking for a job (regardless of your age) is a grind. Make the best of it and understand that it is numbers game. The more resumes you put in the hands of qualified people and the more interviews you go on, the higher the likelihood you will get a job.
Was this article useful? If so, subscribe to our newsletter to read more!
Click here to read part 1 of this article
Source: BBC
http://lifetwo.com/production/node/20070621-what-s-happening-with-employment-opportunities-for-the-older-worker
1 Responses to "Easy Ways to Beat Negative Stereotypes as an Older Worker (pt. II)"
December 2, 2009 at 11:26 AM #
Nicely done. I did a series on geek stereotypes in the workplace here (http://www.fantopro.com/blog/stereotype-fu/) and this reminded me quite a bit of that series.
One thing I find works is to find a way to own the stereotype and re-create it as positive. You're not "old" you're "seasoned", or "you walk between both experience and innovation" or something else.
Dealing with stereotypes really is a kind of personal branding effort - so you need to take control and decide how you'll be regarded - and how to deal with - or even use or repurpose - the stereotypes you face.
Post a Comment