Age Bias When Changing Careers

According to an article in today's Career Journal, a study published last year by Boston College's Center for Retirement Research suggests that "younger workers" (read under 40) who apply for a position are 50% more likely to be called for an interview than applicants over 50 years old. This rings true with the individual stories I've been hearing and witnessing around how tough it is to find a job these days when you're over 50 - and even moreso beyond 55 and 60.

The careers page of AARP's (American Association of Retired Persons) web site (see under Money & Work Tab) provides a number of targeted resources for workers over 50, including resources for choosing a career, job loss help, help with finding a job, as well as information on self-employment, and workplace flexibility. AARP even publishes an annual list of Best Companies for Workers Over 50.

Today's print version of the Wall Street Journal goes on to talk about employer concerns (or sterotypes) that older workers need to keep in mind when seeking a job, including

• an older candidate will come on board and try to take over
• an older candidate will not be comfortable reporting to a younger boss
• older candidates are over-qualified and will get bored
• older candidates will lack the necessary energy and dynamism
  
• older candidates will be unhappy with remuneration if the job commands less than what they were earning before.

Ways to overcome these and other obstacles include:

• Network extensively - preferably before you need to look for a job - but it's never too late to start. This is absolutely vital!
  
• In the job search process, keep your energy up and embrace change. Don't get discouraged - it will slow you down!
  
• Leave college graduation dates and jobs from longer than 15 years ago off the resume to avoid getting screened before you've had the chance to interview
• In the interview, convey a long-term commitment to the job, enthusiasm for the work, a lot of energy, and your desire to do the job in question.
• Stress your maturity, work ethic, interpersonal skills, and delight in working with people of all ages. If you will be dealing with an older customer demographic, stress that you relate to their outlook and concerns.
  
• Never talk down to a younger interviewer or talk "about the old days."
• Update your "look," including wardrobe and hair.

If you have any further ideas about how to best deal with the challenge of finding work past 50, please post a comment. In the meantime, here are a few more resources to consider:

• There is a long list of resources available on the Quint Careers web site. An article on Quint Careers that I highly recommend is Approaches and Tactics for Older Workers Who Can't Find a Job.
  

• The Aging Horizons group on MSN.com provides a variety of tips and resources for older applicants, including a page on interviewing tips.
  

• Forty Plus - 40 Plus is the nation’s oldest non-profit organization dedicated to helping currently available managers, executives and other professionals over 40 years of age find jobs. Both 40 Plus of Northern California and 40 Plus of Philadelphia maintain links to other North American chapters.

• In California: Experience Unlimited provides individuals with training and backgrounds in a wide range of fields a venue to come together to sharpen and update their job search skills by sharing their expertise and experience. The EDD provides office space, personal computers, access to the Internet, use of fax machines, publications, and more.
  

• ExecuNet - fee-based career services group that targets executives earning at least $100,000 annually. It runs 70 meetings a month across the U.S. and allows members access to its online member directory.