Henry Ford said, “If you think you can or if you think you can’t – you’re right!”
There are more than 78 million baby boomers that collectively make up a significant part of the labor market today. Many who are looking for jobs feel that they are too old to attract good opportunities. The fact is that most employers are looking to hire employees who can make significant contributions to their companies… regardless of age. Those people who are in the midst of a job search will be able to successfully compete for just about any job if they can simply provide evidence that they have the ability to contribute to organizational goals and improve bottom line performance quickly and effectively.
Below are some tips on how to overcome the “I’m too old” factor so you can confidently attract the job you want at the pay you deserve:
- Know your value and the results you can deliver; know how you can improve a company’s “economics”.
- Identify companies you want to work for and aggressively pursue them; don’t wait for them to pursue you (they won’t).
- Identify people you know (in your network) who can introduce you to people they know who can tap into and open unknown doors of opportunities.
- Display youthful energy with seasoned professionalism.
- Exercise and take care of yourself and your body. Manage your image and your mindset.
- Don’t be a hermit. Be active, meet people and make new contacts (in person and online).
- Think youthful and positive thoughts; remember, you are what you think.
If you’re good at what you do, age isn’t an issue. Headhunters are finding that employers increasingly want employees with a decades-long track record of success, and for specific skills. During interviews, get very specific about what each employer needs and how your skills fit. The key is to make sure that what you bring to the job is exactly what they’re looking for. Putting in the time and attention to find precisely the right fit can prevent hiring managers from bringing up the dreaded “O” word (for “overqualified”).