<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd“>
By Kenneth Terrell, AARP | Contributor
With millions of job vacancies presently unfilled, there should be ample opportunities for older individuals to find employment or change careers. Nonetheless, many seasoned professionals still face the hurdle of age discrimination.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 11.3 million jobs were unfilled at the end of January 2022, which is the latest month for which data is available. Despite this significant demand for workers, 36.1 percent of employees aged 55 and older faced long-term unemployment, meaning they had not secured a job in 27 weeks or more. In contrast, the long-term unemployment rate for individuals aged 16 to 54 was considerably lower at 23.7 percent.
While age discrimination is not the sole reason for this gap in employment rates, it certainly contributes to the challenges older adults face while job hunting. A recent AARP survey revealed that 78 percent of people aged 40 to 65 reported experiencing age discrimination in the workplace, marking the highest rate since AARP began performing this survey nearly two decades ago.
Although your job search should concentrate on positions that align with your career aspirations and the skills you bring to the table, it’s crucial to recognize that you may face age-related bias during your search. Career coaching specialists recommend the following five strategies to enhance older workers’ success in the competitive job market.
1. Update Your Resume to Minimize Age Bias
You’re likely aware that you should omit your graduation dates from your resume, as employers might use them to estimate your age. However, there are other aspects of your resume that might inadvertently reveal your age. For example, including your home address or featuring an older email account (like AOL or Yahoo) can suggest to hiring managers that you are an older candidate.
“Older workers sometimes are perceived to lack technical skills,” warns Amanda Augustine, a career expert and professional resume writer at TopResume, a partner of AARP for the Resume Advisor service. “Avoid giving employers any reasons to reinforce this stereotype.”
Augustine also advises limiting your job history to the last 15 years, as employers often regard skills and experience from earlier periods as less relevant to current job requirements.
2. Highlight Your Skills Effectively
Keep in mind that your resume will likely be screened by software before reaching a hiring manager. To ensure your application passes through this filter, it’s essential to include the right keywords that emphasize your current job skills rather than focusing solely on past experiences or achievements.
“If certain words or phrases recur in job listings that interest you, incorporate those terms into your resume,” Augustine recommends.
Consider customizing your resume for each job application, ensuring you include keywords specific to that position.
3. Leverage Your Younger Network
Having years of experience means you’ve established valuable connections. However, it’s not just long-time colleagues who can assist you in your job search. Younger coworkers might offer significant help by linking you to job opportunities and sharing insights on contemporary job-seeking strategies.
“Ask yourself what you can learn from younger colleagues, as they offer a fresh perspective,” advises Devora Zack, founder of the leadership training firm Only Connect Consulting Inc. and author of Networking for People Who Hate Networking.
4. Promote Your Mentoring Abilities
With five generations working side by side today, positioning yourself as a mentor can enhance your attractiveness to employers. According to AARP Research, younger employees greatly value the teaching abilities, different viewpoints, and productivity-enhancing skills that older colleagues bring.
Reflect on your work history to identify instances where you successfully mentored or collaborated with younger coworkers, as these experiences can boost your appeal to potential employers.
5. Improve Your Presentation
Regardless of whether you’re interviewing or working, your appearance plays a vital role in career advancement. Older job seekers, in particular, may justifiably worry about how their looks are perceived. Some studies indicate that hiring managers are 40 percent less inclined to employ older applicants over younger ones with equivalent skills once they meet face-to-face.
Such findings suggest it may be beneficial to postpone in-person meetings with hiring managers for as long as possible. However, when you do secure an interview, approach it with confidence. While you cannot alter your age, consider updating your wardrobe or hairstyle to reflect modern styles and demonstrate your ability to adapt.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kenneth Terrell covers employment, age discrimination, jobs, careers, and the federal government for AARP. He previously worked for the Education Writers Association and U.S. News & World Report, where he reported on topics including government and politics, business, education, science and technology, and lifestyle news.
Originally published on AARP, March 16, 2022
