By Kenneth Terrell,AARP | Contributor
Despite a wealth of job openings available today, many older adults face significant challenges when seeking employment or changing careers, primarily due to age discrimination.
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that over 11.3 million positions were unfilled as of January 2022, although the long-term unemployment rate for workers aged 55 and over stood at 36.1 percent, meaning they struggled to find jobs for 27 weeks or longer. In contrast, the long-term unemployment rate for individuals aged 16 to 54 was notably lower at 23.7 percent.
While age discrimination isn’t the only factor contributing to this disparity in employment rates, it certainly presents a significant challenge for older job seekers. A recent AARP survey revealed that 78 percent of respondents aged 40 to 65 reported experiencing age discrimination at work, marking the highest figure recorded in the nearly two decades of this survey.
As you pursue job opportunities that align with your career aspirations and skill set, remain conscious of the potential for age bias in your job search. Career coaching experts suggest the following five strategies to help older workers enhance their competitiveness in the job market.
Experts say these strategies can help older workers land a job.
1. Revise Your Résumé for Age Bias
It’s important to omit your graduation years from your résumé to prevent employers from making assumptions about your age. Additionally, other elements such as your street address or an outdated email account (like AOL or Yahoo) may inadvertently signal your age to hiring managers.
“Older applicants are often perceived as less technologically savvy,” warnsAmanda Augustine, a career expert and résumé writer for TopResume, which collaborates with AARP on the Resume Advisor service. “Don’t provide employers with any reason to reinforce this stereotype.”
Augustine also recommends that job seekers limit their work history to the past 15 years, as employers typically regard earlier experiences as less pertinent to current job requirements.
2. Highlight Your Relevant Skills
Keep in mind that your résumé will likely be vetted by automated systems prior to reaching a hiring manager. To successfully pass through this filtering process, ensure your résumé and cover letter incorporate relevant keywords, emphasizing your current skills as opposed to merely your historical achievements.
“If certain terms are prevalent in job postings that interest you, weave them into your résumé,” advises Augustine.
Consider personalizing your application for each job, taking care to include specific keywords connected to each position you’re pursuing.
3. Engage with Younger Networks
Your vast experience translates to an extensive network of connections. However, younger colleagues also hold valuable insights. They can assist in job searches and share effective strategies for securing employment in today’s competitive landscape.
“Ask yourself what you can gain from younger coworkers; they often bring a new outlook,” suggestsDevora Zack, founder of the consulting firm Only Connect and author of Networking for People Who Hate Networking, as she advises AARP readers.
4. Position Yourself as a Mentor
Today’s workplaces often feature a diverse range of generations, and presenting yourself as a mentor can enhance your attractiveness to potential employers. Research from AARP indicates that younger employees appreciate the teaching skills, unique viewpoints, and productivity-enhancing capabilities that seasoned colleagues bring.
Reflect on your past roles to identify instances where you’ve successfully guided younger peers, as these examples can elevate your profile to prospective employers.
5. Refresh Your Look
Your appearance and presentation can significantly impact your job success, especially during interviews. Research suggests that once face-to-face interactions commence, hiring managers are 40 percent more likely to favor younger candidates with equivalent skills.
While it may be beneficial to postpone in-person meetings with employers, once you secure an interview, approach it with self-assurance. Although altering your physical age is unfeasible, updating your attire or hairstyle can convey that you remain current with contemporary trends and adaptable.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kenneth Terrell specializes in employment, age discrimination, career dynamics, and federal government matters for AARP. He has a background at the Education Writers Association and U.S. News & World Report, where he covered topics spanning government, business, education, science, technology, and lifestyle.
Originally published on AARP, March 16, 2022
