Correcting Faulty Assumptions about Older Workers

My friend Tom sent me a link to a blog post bemoaning the fact that people over the age of 50 looking for work will face discrimination. Never mind it’s illegal. It happens. According to the blog post, younger hiring managers have several pre-conceived notions about older workers. One is we will want higher salaries. Another is we’re low energy. Still a third assumption is we’re not up to date on the latest technologies. Are they right? When it comes to salary requirements, they’re probably right. Older workers do have an established standard of living and hard won experience tends to justify a higher salary. The other assumptions though are troublesome. Exactly how does a prospective 50 or 60 something year old person demonstrate that they have high energy? And while talking about technology is fairly easy to do, tech talk alone probably won’t convince a hiring manager that we really get it; that is understand how technology is being used in today’s marketplace. Except maybe for the obvious part, which is the destruction of jobs and even entire industries, older workers may miss the finer points of social media’s advantages. In my opinion job seekers over 50 must take dramatic action if they want to be taken seriously by prospective employers. Throw caution to the wind. Be the bold risk taker. I’ll tell you this much, words alone aren’t going to persuade a 35 year old interviewer that you are a wireless, tireless, 24/7 wild-eyed workaholic. You want to get that job? My advice is to use the very technology they doubt you’re familiar with to make a lasting and positive impression that gets you hired. First, be sure to set up a Skype interview. What better way to let your interviewer know you not only have an I-Pad but you can do more than turn it on and play games? Note: Your costume for the interview is critical to making the point that you are bursting with energy. May I suggest gym shorts, muscle t-shirt, Nike sneakers and a sweatband? I want your hair tousled, sweat stains under your arms and perspiration on your face. Two cell phones should be placed strategically nearby in full view. If there is any chance either phone might go off, make sure the ring tone is Maroon 5 and not the Jackson 5. Finally, make sure your tennis racquet is nearby and a Bow-flex is clearly visible behind you. You’re an animal, got it? Your script: “Good morning, (glance at your power watch, its face the size of a Moon Pie) I’m Chris. Thanks for your time so early this morning. I’m 60 years old. No doubt you can see that in the wrinkles on my face and the gray in my thinning hair. (Move camera in for a close-up) My apologies for my appearance but I just got off the tennis court. I’m not one to brag, but it really felt special beating young Raphael in straight sets this morning. I assume you have the resume I emailed you. Based on my background and experience and the 749 recommendations on my Linkedin profile, I think it’s fair to say I’m fully qualified for the job. Excuse me for a moment please. I just remembered I need to tweet something real quick while I do 25 one-handed pushups. (Do the pushups counting them off) May I speak frankly? I think my only chance today is to clear up any age related misconceptions you may have. As you can see I’m physically active. I’m also constantly challenging myself intellectually. I just started taking Tango lessons, Argentine of course, and next week I will complete an advanced course in Chinese. You’re obviously a good deal younger than I am. Some managers struggle with that but I hope you won’t. I don’t want your job. Listen: Our age difference is a good thing for exactly the same reasons it’s a good thing when a 40 year old hires someone 25. Their needs are different. You’re 35 and I’m 60. You want to reach the top of the corporate world. I now want the same thing I did when I was 25; to be taken seriously. Now, honestly, do you feel my age is a concern?” My script may not land you the job of your dreams, but if you work out enough so you can actually do those one-handed pushups, surely good things will happen. Copyright 2012, Len Serafino. All rights reserved.