Question: Is AGE a Job Hunting Problem?

Got this question from a reader:

Is age a problem in the job market?

Age is a problem in the job market – it absolutely is. Somehow it carries a negative perception.

But what older job hunters often do wrong is to re-inforce that negative perception with a CV and job hunting attitude that is not fresh, concise, keenly targeted, and assumes that because there’s lots of ‘experience’ they automatically don’t have to market themselves better than ever.

That just makes a bad situation much, much worse. Older people do well to pay attention to themselves – here are some quick personal marketing ideas:

• Look ‘current’ and contemporary – don’t let your ‘look’ or ‘image’ or ‘personal presentation’ be too outdated, old fashioned or just plain “old artish” – know what I’m saying? Caveat: you also shouldn’t to go to the extreme here.
• Be quick, be to the point. In an interview for example – eg I often had older people responding to the question, “So tell me about yourself” or “So why are you a good candidate for this position?” with a heavenward casting of the eyes  and a comment like, “ooh, where should I start”. Oh please, just get to the point. Give me 3 quick, awesomely powerful reasons why you’re going to be great in the job. Otherwise what?
• Don’t go on and on about yourself. It’s not about you. Landing a job is because you can solve the employers problem. Ask questions till you know what that problem is. And then see the previous point.
• Go ultra up-to-date and concise in your CV. Make your point and move on. Fast. A 10 pager, in an old style, with lists and lists of “duties” and “responsibilities” isn’t the way to counter the age problem.

Age shouldn’t be a problem. But it is. We need to deal with it. By being more entrepreneurial in the way we think and market ourselves. Smarter. Fresher. Showing that we can change and adapt with the times.