Many of my clients in career transition are in their 50s and 60s; some in their 70s. My client Rick, 63 sadly lamented, “I feel discouraged because of my age. I’m not going to bother looking for work anymore. I’m abandoning the search. I’ll collect Social Security and retire earlier than I had hoped.”
The Pew Research Center’s projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that by 2022, 31.9% of those ages 65 to 74 will still be working. That compares with 20.4% of the same age bracket back in the workforce in 2002; and 26.8% who were in the workforce in 2012. This should translate to more employment opportunities for the mature worker down the pike.
Yet, age discrimination remains a strong “ism” beginning as early as age 40 in some youth-oriented industries. Since age discrimination does exist, will you be in the working statistics? Or will you give up as Rick talked of doing – giving in to this ageism by telling yourself, “Employers don’t want to hire people my age. Why try?”
If you feel disheartened and are afraid employers will discriminate against you because of your age, galvanize yourself and your search with these 12 ideas:
- Think of yourself as a capable contributor, not a victim. You get to choose how you want others to perceive you. It starts with you – an inside-out thing. As Dr. Phil says, “You teach others how to treat you.”
- Value the depth of resources, strengths, and talents you bring to the table. Doing this aligns with number one. Take the time to assess your value. It’s that important.
- Showcase your unique strengths effectively while at the same time, honestly addressing and conquering any barriers in your way – real or perceived.
- Avoid falling victim to the myths about older workers. Yes, the discrimination exists. But the premises for it are often extremely faulty!
- Find and study encouraging models to inspire you. Read stories and/or watch videos about mature persons who reached their zenith in their later years. Find current mentors with active, rich, and full lives.
- Be flexible and adaptable toward change. Prepare and practice a positioning statement that shows you are a person who successfully learns new skills and navigates the new or different.
- Be confident that you will succeed. Visualize your success. A visioning board can be helpful. If you’re focused on the success, you’ll be acting to get it.
- Answer the question, “What am I passionate about?” and go for it! Explore ways in which you might meld that passion with work.
- Create a targeted resume that draws the reader to your strengths and experiences relevant to your goals. Enlist a professional resume writer and/or career coach to help you with your career communications and overall strategy.
- Keep your sense of humor! It’s an amazing buoy and anchor for keeping enthusiasm and energy levels when that ageism thrusts its ugly head.
- Stay current! Read trade magazines in your field. Take classes. Attend conferences. Join associations. Sign up for automated topics of interest to be sent to you via email, text, Facebook – or wherever you hang out in cyberspace. Having topics come to your mobile phone is great; you can learn while standing in the checkout line at the store or in a waiting room.
- Accept the fact that there are some companies and organizations that won’t hire you because you’re older. It’s a fact. You can fight them, but why waste your energy or time? It’s more useful to be productive and to redirect your energy towards discovering people and companies that welcome mature workers.
Don’t let negative perceptions about age discrimination distract you. You are not a stereotype. Don’t give yourself or others permission to make you feel discouraged.
“If you believe you can, you probably can. If you believe you won’t, you most assuredly won’t. Belief is the ignition switch that gets you off the launch pad.”
~ Denis Waitley, contemporary American author
