Article By Kevin L. DeWitt

It’s true that not all employers will be enthusiastic about hiring, or even retaining, older workers in the coming year(s).  But the good news is that the overall statistics might well be on your side if you’re 50 or older.

 

The limited numbers of younger generations simply will not match the rising need for workers over the next 10 years.

 

This may not be of consolation now with the economy in recession and many more job seekers than there are jobs to fill … but it is good news for the future if you are a baby boomer.

 

What this means for the longer term is that employers will be forced to look at alternate labor sources.  Of course they can outsource, further automate or contract their staffing ranks, but this will not suffice in all cases.  And besides, many baby boomers may prefer contract employment relationships for a variety of reasons.

 

The plain fact is that you hold many advantages over your younger colleagues, but you’re going to need to play your age to your advantage.  If you have a few years under your belt, here are four tips to use age as an advantage in your job hunt:

 

Go on the offensive

Too often … older workers think they have to apologize for their years of actually working.  Remind yourself that:

 

You’re experienced, not old;

You’re seasoned, not over the hill;

You’re here and now, not history.

 

It’s all about spin and reframing, so drop any apologies.

 

You may be older … but you’re not stupid and you’re not dead.  Use your savvy to sell against youth and inexperience.  There are benefits to being older, like having wisdom, common sense and a long work record of accomplishments that you can translate into benefits to the employer.

 

So sell your track record.  During the interview, take advantage of your successful work history and draw from those successes to meet the needs of the employer.

 

Sell results, not years

Realize that hiring managers today are looking for results, not years.  Talk the language that an employer understands and appreciates: return on investment.  Instead of citing 20 years of experience, identify the benefits you can bring to the employer … and put them into monetary terms as much as possible.  Back up your accomplishments with facts that are benefit-based.  Sell them from the perspective of the result and how it benefited your present and previous employers.

 

Money talks and it talks loudly.  Here’s some good news: Money can trump age.

 

As an employee, you either make money or save money for your employer.  If the hiring manager doesn’t see your value in one of these two categories, then you don’t want to work for this company. In this recession, if the company isn’t concerned about its bottom line, then it may not be around for long and isn’t a viable option for you anyway.  Get as close to money as you possibly can through the language of your accomplishments, and list them on your résumé.

 

Focus on one thing – The job title you’re applying for

While you may have accumulated experience in a number of areas, don’t confuse the person reading your résumé with all the different roles and jobs you performed over the years.  Focus only on the job title for which you’re applying.  Tell the hiring manager what he wants to know and nothing more.

 

You’ve likely worn many different hats during your career.  If any of your duties and experiences do not directly address the job title’s requirements, don’t emphasize them.  In fact, remove them from your résumé entirely, if possible, as they will only give employers another reason to screen you out, and you don’t want that.

 

This is your story … so tell it your way.  Magnify only the aspects of your background that are relevant to your target objective.  

 

Modify your résumé

Take another look at your résumé.  Ask yourself, “Would I hire myself for this position”?

Tell your story in your favor … by reworking your résumé to emphasize your strengths.  Make sure everything on it relates in some way to your desired job objective.

 

Drop older job titles.  You generally shouldn’t need to show more than 10 years of work history.  Any prior work is most likely irrelevant now and will take the reader off track.  Remove obvious road markers, like dates.  For example, remove college degree dates and other older professional training dates that may go back more than a few years.

 

“I have enjoyed greatly the second blooming that comes when you finish the life of the emotions and of personal relations; and suddenly find - at the age of fifty, say - that a whole new life has opened before you, filled with things you can think about, study, or read about … It is as if a fresh sap of ideas and thoughts was rising in you.”
-Agatha Christie, An Autobiography, 1977

 

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.”
-Sophia Loren

 

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