Older workers, you have solid
advantages when it comes time to find a job (years of amazing experience), but
it can also be a challenge—especially if you haven’t had an interview for a job
in a very long time.
It is a very different landscape
than it was even 10 years ago, and for many in that demographic, it has been
longer than 10 years, The key is to make sure that you are presenting yourself
for today's market. There are those who think finding a job is the same as it
was in the 1980s.
With 55% of workers saying they plan
to work past age 65, according to a recent Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies survey, that’s all
the more reason to keep your job interviews fresh so you can keep striving for
new career goals in your 50s and beyond.
Here’s what you need to know:
Stay on point
In a behavioral interview format, older workers likely to have many
experiences to discuss. The key is to answer these questions in a very tight
and clear format. You must remember that the human attention span is much
shorter these days. When you go down that rabbit hole, you lose the attention
of your interviewer.
Be confident, but humble
The age and experience of older
workers bring insight and a new perspective, and you need to draw confidence
from that. However, humility can go a long way, too. Acknowledge that while you
bring a lot to the table, you are sure there are things you can learn. Doing so
will help ensure that you’re not looking to come in and step on anyone’s toes.
Prepare for the
virtual interview
More and more frequently, companies
are using video-conferencing technology to perform initial
interviews with prospective candidates. Familiarize yourself with the platform
and do a test-run to ensure everything is set up appropriately. You might also
consider conducting a mock interview with a friend or a professional
service to get comfortable with the format.
Address the tech
elephant in the room
Speaking of technology, one of the
very reasons that age discrimination exists is because the younger generations
are tech natives and are often better at it than someone in their 50s. Of
course, that’s not necessarily the case.
Look for opportunities during the
interview to mention how you’ve been keeping abreast with the latest technology
in your field. If you’re well-versed in the latest tools and platforms, explain
how you’ve leveraged them to solve issues or create results in your recent
role.
Defend your social
media (or lack thereof)
Your first impression in the
hiring landscape today is your LinkedIn profile, not your resume. If you don’t
have a LinkedIn page, that’s something that an interviewer may ask about.
Before you start interviewing, get some assistance from someone you trust to
ensure that your profile is well thought out, well presented, and includes a high-quality
professional photo.
Focus on fit
The interviewing and selection
process today is more focused on the candidate’s ability to work collaboratively
as part of a larger team. Organizations today place high value on individuals
that can work with and motivate both the people that work for them and their
peers. As a candidate, you need to demonstrate that you have done your
homework, know the company and their values, and can articulate how they align
with who you are both personally and professionally. Passion about the company
and its mission are imperative.
Don’t oversell your
decades of experience
Rather than playing the “been there,
done that” card, which could land you in the “overqualified” pile or be a turn off, focus on selling your
relevant achievements. Your interviewers don’t need to know about everything
you’ve done or are capable of doing; they mostly care about what you’ve done
recently that relates to the role they’re currently filling.
Carefully select the key pieces of
your work history that demonstrate your qualifications.
Take age off the table
If your age comes up (such as if
you’re interviewing with a “young” company), shift the focus. Establish
yourself as a leader who has demonstrated the adaptability required to have
survived and thrived the major workplace shifts of the last 20 years.
Regardless of the age of the hiring manager, if you can successfully craft your
personal brand and message to the above, your age/experience will be viewed as
a valuable asset to the organization.
Allay fears
Hiring managers are sometimes
hesitant to hire older workers because of their likely higher salary
requirements, and because they might have aspirations of early retirement, so
be prepared for that. Don’t be afraid to be proactive during the interview to
ensure no assumptions are made about your candidacy. For instance, explain how
this role fits into your long-term plans.
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