Professionals share strategies to help mature job seekers succeed
By Kenneth Terrell, AARP, March 16, 2022
Introduction
Despite the abundance of job opportunities available, older adults often face age discrimination in the workplace. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 11.3 million jobs were waiting to be filled at the end of January 2022. However, a significant 36.1 percent of workers aged 55 and older remained unemployed for 27 weeks or more. In comparison, the long-term unemployment rate for individuals between the ages of 16 and 54 was much lower at 23.7 percent.
The Challenge of Age Discrimination
Age discrimination is one of the obstacles that older adults encounter when searching for employment. A recent AARP study found that 78 percent of individuals aged 40 to 65 reported experiencing age discrimination in the workplace, which is the highest recorded rate since AARP began conducting the study almost two decades ago.
Tips for Older Job Seekers
While job seekers should focus on opportunities that align with their career goals and skills, it is important to be aware of potential age bias. Job training experts suggest the following five tips to help older workers compete successfully in the job market.
1. Tailor Your Resume
To combat age bias, it is essential to age-proof your resume. Remove graduation dates, as employers may use them to estimate your age. Additionally, consider removing your street address and older email accounts, such as AOL or Yahoo, as they may indicate that you are an older applicant. Limit your job experience to the past 15 years, as employers tend to prioritize recent skills and experience.
2. Highlight Your Current Skills
Most resumes are initially screened by computer software. To ensure your resume makes it to the hands of a hiring manager, include keywords that reflect your current job skills rather than focusing solely on past experience or accomplishments. Incorporate terms that frequently appear in the job listings you are interested in. Customize your resume for each job application to include job-specific keywords.
3. Tap into Your Network
Leverage your years of experience and valuable connections by reaching out to your professional network. While your long-standing colleagues can offer support, don’t overlook the insights and perspectives of younger colleagues. They may provide valuable guidance and inform you about the strategies younger job seekers are using to land positions.
4. Emphasize Your Mentoring Abilities
With multiple generations in today’s workplace, showcasing your mentoring skills can make you more appealing to employers. Younger workers value the expertise, different perspectives, and ability of older colleagues to enhance workplace efficiency. Identify instances in your previous work experience where you successfully mentored and collaborated with younger colleagues to strengthen your appeal to potential employers.
5. Present Yourself Well
Your personal appearance and presentation contribute to your career success. Studies suggest that hiring managers are 40 percent less likely to hire older workers once they meet them in person. Whenever possible, delay in-person meetings with hiring managers. However, when the opportunity arises, approach interviews with confidence. While you cannot hide your physical age, consider making minor adjustments to your wardrobe or hairstyle to demonstrate that you are up-to-date with current styles and adaptable.
Conclusion
By implementing these strategies, older job seekers can enhance their chances of success in the competitive job market. Remember, your skills and experience are assets that can overcome any age bias you may encounter.
Kenneth Terrell is an experienced journalist who covers employment, age discrimination, job and work-related topics, careers, and the government for AARP. His previous work includes reporting on government and politics, business, education, science and technology, and lifestyle news for the Education Writers Association and U.S. News & World Report.
