{"id":4228,"date":"2014-12-19T08:38:01","date_gmt":"2014-12-19T12:38:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?p=4228"},"modified":"2014-12-21T08:07:26","modified_gmt":"2014-12-21T12:07:26","slug":"age-discrimination-how-to-handle-it-in-your-job-search-kerry-lends-her-expertise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?p=4228","title":{"rendered":"Age Discrimination – How To Handle It In Your Job Search: Kerry Lends Her Expertise"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"images\"<\/a>The following is an interview conducted by Forbes Contributor\u00a0Kathy Caprino<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

For this series, I\u2019ve reached out to a number of fellow experts and contributors on Forbes and beyond to help me tackle this critical, yet elusive issue. Today\u2019s post features the insights of Kerry Hannon, who is AARP\u2019s jobs expert, and award-winning author of What\u2019s Next? Finding Your Passion and Your Dream Job in Your Forties, Fifties and Beyond. Kerry has spent more than 25 years covering all aspects of personal finance, career transitions and retirement for the nation\u2019s leading media companies, including Forbes, Money, U.S. News & World Report and USA Today. Her latest book is Great Jobs for Everyone 50+: Finding Work That Keeps You Happy and Healthy\u2026and Pays the Bills.<\/p>\n

Kerry shares her take on age bias and how to address it.<\/p>\n

Kathy Caprino:<\/a> <\/strong>Kerry, how rampant do you think age bias and age discrimination are today in preventing job seekers over 50 from being hired?
\nKerry Hannon<\/strong>: Age discrimination is alive and well in the workplace. I\u2019m not going to sugarcoat it. And it\u2019s not just younger bosses and hiring managers who are discriminating. Those in the 50-plus set discriminate against their peers as well. It\u2019s a tricky thing to prove, of course. And it\u2019s still taboo to discuss openly. But it lurks. I\u2019ve heard so many stories of workers over 50 sitting down for an interview and just getting that gut feeling that the person interviewing them is not really listening to what they have to offer, but rather seeing their expiration date.<\/p>\n

Some stats you might find interesting:<\/p>\n

According to the EEOC, age discrimination complaints have risen from 15,785 in 1997 to 21,396 in 2013, the date of the most recent statistics.<\/p>\n

People in each age group from 40 up see discrimination against other workers or job seekers their age. Nearly half of job seekers blame age discrimination as the reason they were not hired. (AARP: 2013 Ahead of the Curve.)<\/p>\n

And, of course, while the unemployment rate for the aged 55 and older population was down to 4.4 percent earlier this summer, the average duration of unemployment for those 55+ was 48.1 weeks vs 28.5 weeks for those under age 55.<\/p>\n

Caprino:<\/strong> What is the best, straight-talking advice you can give to people who are legitimately facing age bias and can\u2019t get work?<\/p>\n

Hannon:<\/strong> Here\u2019s the real deal: What worries employers about hiring older workers is this:<\/p>\n

Read on Forbes.com<\/a><\/strong>
\n1. They worry that you aren\u2019t up for the job. You don\u2019t have the stamina.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tip: My best advice is to get physically fit. When you\u2019re fit, you exude the energy, positive attitude, and enthusiasm to demonstrate that\u2019s not the case. People want to be around you. And you look better. Sure, if Botox or dying your hair make you feel more confident, go for it. But, in my opinion, when you are in shape and eat healthy, it goes a long way to showing you have what it takes stamina-wise to handle a new job. I\u2019m not talking about running a super-fast mile or bench pressing your weight, but a fitness regime, be it walking or swimming a few times a week, can work magic.<\/p>\n

2. They worry that you aren\u2019t up to speed with technology.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Look at yourself honestly. You may be out of step. You can\u2019t afford to be a luddite \u2013 passive and resisting where technology is taking the world.<\/p>\n

Tip: Sign up for classes at the community college near you, workshops at local libraries, tap your nieces, nephews, grandkids, the 20-something who lives down the street and ask for their help. I love calling my 16-year old niece with quickie questions. Make sure you have any computer-oriented certifications required for the job you\u2019re applying for. Look at the job descriptions. Do you have the tech skills necessary? Can you add them via a certification\/workshop at a community college or industry association?<\/p>\n

If you have a great, up-to-date LinkedIn profile and are active in LinkedIn groups, and are visible on Facebook, Twitter, etc. it shows that you are comfortable with social media. This is non-negotiable these days. Paper resumes aren\u2019t pass\u00e9 exactly, but your online resume is truly your calling card. An employer will check you out online immediately. They want to know all about your social media footprint.<\/p>\n

Other concerns:<\/strong><\/p>\n

3. They worry you are set in your ways and won\u2019t be willing to try new ways of doing things.
\n4. They worry you won\u2019t play nicely with younger workers.
\n5. They are concerned you want too much money and would be insulted by a lower salary than you had in your last job.<\/p>\n

These are all issues you can address in your interview and through your actions and behaviors, with examples of why these concerns aren\u2019t relevant. There is no one-size fits all solution to these last three worries; it will differ from one person to the next. I advise workers to think these through challenges and come up with their own, authentic way to address these employer fears. Develop a strategy to fight back. It is rough out there, but there are ways you can rise above it. It takes persistence and courage, but you can do it.
\nCaprino:<\/strong> What are the best and most important tools and resources people can turn to when they feel that the age factor is preventing them from gaining employment?<\/p>\n

Hannon:<\/strong> Age discrimination is terribly hard to prove. The best resources are within yourself. Get the training you need. Look great. Check out smaller businesses and nonprofits that tend to value the experience and know-how that comes with age. They want grown-ups in the workplace. A hoodie can\u2019t step in and do the job right now that an older worker typically can.<\/p>\n

Plus, employers love the loyalty and \u2018been there\u2019 calm you bring to the workplace. They also know they benefit from the extensive network that an older worker can bring to the job. There is simply not as much ramping up necessary. And when an employer is short staffed, they will opt for the proven vs. the green worker.<\/p>\n

Get involved with LinkedIn. Network with everyone you know. Skip the big jobs boards. Employers hire people they know or people whom their colleagues and peers know. You can find all sorts of connections online via Facebook, LinkedIn, who know you and can make introductions to get you in the door for an interview. Get out and go to alumni gatherings, industry group functions.<\/p>\n

Get your mojo on. Be proactive. Don\u2019t sit home and wait for the phone to ring. Go and do something. Blasting resumes out online is tough sledding when it comes to finding a job when you\u2019re over 50. It really does come down to the personal touch.<\/p>\n

I always advise unemployed older workers to volunteer. You never know who you might meet, and it keeps your resume alive. You can frame it up on your resume and in interviews by giving it a business-oriented spin \u2013 that you served as a project manager, fundraiser etc. And often, if it\u2019s a nonprofit that speaks to your heart, you just might volunteer your way to a job. It happens all the time. They get a chance to check you out, and you can check them out.
\nCaprino:<\/strong> When does it make sense to stop looking for corporate work, and explore other avenues (solopreneurship, private practice, consulting, etc.)<\/p>\n

Hannon:<\/strong> This kind of work is really the future for the 50-plus worker. Not everyone has the temperament or motivation, or is in a field that lends itself to being in business for oneself, but it works for me and many others I know who are 50-plus. For many workers over 50, frustrated with the roadblocks to a full-time job, this is increasingly the default. But it takes some time to get up to speed and build a client base, and certainly you need to have savings or a partner who is still working who can provide ballast (and health insurance perhaps) while you start off on your own.<\/p>\n

That said, consulting and part-time work is a great way to stay in the game if you\u2019re looking for a permanent position. You might string these together and find you make more than you ever did in-house with one employer. Or again, it could lead to a full-time position.<\/p>\n

There are an increasing number of agencies that focus on placing experienced workers in these kind of professional contract\/consulting gigs. Two that come to mind are FlexProfessionals in the Washington, DC area and Patina Solutions.<\/p>\n

Check out these Forbes post for more:<\/strong><\/p>\n

11 Biggest Mistakes Older Job Hunters Make<\/a><\/p>\n

Six Social Media Mistakes for Older Job Hunters<\/a><\/p>\n

* * * * *<\/p>\n

I find Kerry\u2019s tips strategic, effective and empowering. What I like best about her advice is that it\u2019s about YOU \u2013 what you can do to go out there and address these challenges head on, with eyes wide open.\u00a0 After all, we can be \u201cright\u201d (that age bias indeed exists) and stay stuck in our anger and resentment about it, or we can get out there and find new ways to overcome these challenges, and re-engage in rewarding work that enlivens us.<\/p>\n

(For more about Kerry Hannon<\/a> and advice for 50+ workers, visit her AARP Expert page<\/a> and her Forbes blog Second Verse<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

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