Age is no barrier unless you create the roadblock yourself. Plenty of people are inhibited by a mindset that they’re too old to be an attractive candidate to hiring influencers. When they put that aside, their job search will advance far more quickly.
Right now we’re in a good economy where age is not an inhibitor. Instead, age can actually help you get noticed as a candidate, as hiring influencers know they come to the table with experience. It’s up to candidates to effectively market that experience, their skills, and the expertise they’ve built over a career.
Some people create roadblocks for themselves, thinking that being over 60, 50, or even 45 may handicap them in the competition for a great new job. These candidates don’t sell themselves as well as they should. They become uncomfortable speaking about the depth of their experience, and this lack of confidence is the biggest handicap of all.
Both your resume and your interview should delve into your experience, your list of skills, your long history of keeping current with industry needs and trends. You haven’t just emerged from school with a limited mindset and a few shiny skills, you’re a road-tested competitor who can grow, learn, and adapt! You don’t need years of mentoring, you’re an asset to any team you join.
My own experience as both an Executive Resume Writer and an Executive Career Coach shows that those who pay no mind to age do far better in a job search. Grey hair isn’t a job killer, it’s a very visible asset!
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