Advice for the Older Worker

No one can avoid aging, but aging productively is something else.
-Katherine Graham

A consistent issue that often arises when we first meet with candidates who were laid off is, “Am I too old? Maybe no one will want to hire me...” Although we have heard this from all age groups (oddly enough!), the most concerned are those in their 40's, 50's or 60's.

A recent study, conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management across a broad spectrum of companies came up with the following ten reasons to hire older workers:

• Are more willing to work different schedules
• Can serve as mentors
• Have invaluable experience
• Have stronger work ethics
• Are more reliable
• Add diversity of thought and approach
• Can be more loyal
• Take work more seriously
• Have established networks
• Have higher retention rates

There are some tips to remember as an older worker when diving into a job search campaign:

• You have a wealth of experience to bring to any employer—there is no reason to apologize for how long it has taken to get it.
• Networking is still one of the strongest channels for finding a new job—and if you have been in the workforce for any length of time, you have tremendous resources at your fingertips.
• If you have the flexibility to work different hours or days than those workers who have young families, make sure that you let your potential employer know it.
• Make sure that your technological skills are up-to-date—take classes and seminars associated with your career path that show you have continued to stay in touch with today's issues.
• Be ready to deal with some of the myths about older workers that can come up in the job search (they get sick too much, are not tolerant or capable of changing quickly, can't multi-task, etc.). Have answers and examples of how these myths don't apply to you.