The Job Hunt: Are You Letting Your Age Get In Your Way?
Allison Allen
July 14, 2008
It would be naïve to think that age discrimination does not exist. If you happen to be a woman in your mid 50s or older engaged in a job search, chances are it will be a reality you´ll have to deal with.
Consider the dilemma of a hiring manager considering two candidates for a job. In front of her is a 43 year woman who is marginally qualified, energetic, confident and inexpensively but professionally dressed in well-tailored, current clothes. The other candidate is better qualified than her younger counterpart, but she looks a few years older than her 57 years, doesn´t exhibit much energy, is wearing clothes that don´t fit very well and are frankly outdated, and she seems a bit timid.
As the hiring manager, which of the two would you be most likely to hire?
While we might wish that, and indeed, agree that things should be different, we don´t have much control when a hiring manager consciously or unconsciously makes our age a factor in his or her decision.
Or, do we?
Actually, there is a piece of this picture we can control. Most of the age factors illustrated in the example above are related to appearance and attitude. Those ARE elements well within our control, and they play an important part in how we are perceived as a prospective employee.
We talked with two women who have helped many seasoned women look and work up to their best potential. Patti DeNucci is Founder of DeNucci & Co., a unique outsourcing referral service that matches seasoned freelancers and consultants with clients seeking their expertise on an as-needed basis. Sara Canaday, Principal Consultant for Empowerment Enterprises. helps women enhance their self-confidence and project a polished, professional image.
Patti and Sara, in working with many 50-something women, have observed what separates those for whom age is a minor factor from those for whom age is a significant stumbling block.
They offer this checklist of behaviors and attitudes that can send to others the wrong message about our age:
Underestimating the Power of Your Image. Dressing ´old´ can include wearing frumpy, outdated, ill-fitting, unflattering, unkempt clothing, or outdated hair and make up. This can be interpreted as being a woman who doesn´t give herself sufficient care and attention, take pride in her appearance, and who may not be staying current by being well read and "in the know". It may send the message that she´s ´given up´, and if she´s given up on herself, what incentive does a prospective employer have to invest in her?
Patti thinks this is why reality shows like Extreme Makeover, What Not to Wear, and How Do I Look? are so popular. It´s easy to see how helping someone change on the outside can really make a difference on the inside. Seeing the total transformation and the "ah ha moments" experienced by participants is wonderful, especially when they have not been initially happy about making the changes.
Letting Yourself Go By Being Overweight Or Out Of Shape. This can be interpreted as a woman who has possibly given up on her own health and well being, is using food as a form of comfort, solace or entertainment (which may indicate underlying issues), or isn´t taking the time to exercise.
Dwelling On The Challenges Of Getting Older. We all have aches and pains and various ailments and conditions. Sometimes our energy reserves have been taxed, but those who make that the center of their world, or their excuse for not doing things can bring down everyone with whom they come in contact. It can be a particular energy zapper when it´s done in a "poor me" sort of way. These folks are no fun to be around. As Sara points out, people don´t remember what you said or did, they remember how you made them feel.
If midlife is dealing you a challenging hormonal hand, do everything you can to get them under control. There are resources at hand to help, but only you can take action to minimize the impact they have.
Talking In A Sad Or Self-deprecating Way About Being "Old." This is different from talking about age. Patti says she has many friends who are in their 50s, 60s and beyond who freely admit their age, but they say it almost defiantly like, "So what? I'm just hitting my stride! Whatever!" or "I've been around the block and back and I know what I'm doing now. Hurray! What's next?"
Being Stuck In Old Ways Of Thinking Or Doing Things. Those who are not open to new adventures, possibilities, or ideas are sending the message that they are ´set in their ways´. Sara believes these days, cross generational relationship skills are becoming as important as cross cultural relationship skills.
Being Stuck With One´s "Issues". Being willing to do the "inner work" is how one moves ahead with the above items. Doing workshops, reading some targeted self help books, and even hiring a professional counselor or coach can be so important to giving a woman the support she needs to be her best.
Doing that takes the courage to be brave enough to face one´s issues. Only you can believe it is worth the investment in time and resources to work on yourself. It will pay dividends far beyond merely the job search by making your life richer and more fulfilling.
Finally, Patti and Sara believe the attitude of gratitude and the power of optimism can make a huge difference. These are two very important aspects of embracing our more seasoned selves.
The bottom line is, we can´t ultimately control a potential employer´s decision about hiring those of us who are well into our 50s. However, it is well within our control to give no quarter when it comes to presenting ourselves as confident, well-groomed and up to date women who know our worth by showing we continually invest in our appearance, our attitude, our skills and our zest for life. That can go a long way towards neutralizing any negative stereotypes an employer may have about age and can help turn our ´patina´ into an advantage.
Consider the dilemma of a hiring manager considering two candidates for a job. In front of her is a 43 year woman who is marginally qualified, energetic, confident and inexpensively but professionally dressed in well-tailored, current clothes. The other candidate is better qualified than her younger counterpart, but she looks a few years older than her 57 years, doesn´t exhibit much energy, is wearing clothes that don´t fit very well and are frankly outdated, and she seems a bit timid.
As the hiring manager, which of the two would you be most likely to hire?
While we might wish that, and indeed, agree that things should be different, we don´t have much control when a hiring manager consciously or unconsciously makes our age a factor in his or her decision.
Or, do we?
Actually, there is a piece of this picture we can control. Most of the age factors illustrated in the example above are related to appearance and attitude. Those ARE elements well within our control, and they play an important part in how we are perceived as a prospective employee.
We talked with two women who have helped many seasoned women look and work up to their best potential. Patti DeNucci is Founder of DeNucci & Co., a unique outsourcing referral service that matches seasoned freelancers and consultants with clients seeking their expertise on an as-needed basis. Sara Canaday, Principal Consultant for Empowerment Enterprises. helps women enhance their self-confidence and project a polished, professional image.
Patti and Sara, in working with many 50-something women, have observed what separates those for whom age is a minor factor from those for whom age is a significant stumbling block.
They offer this checklist of behaviors and attitudes that can send to others the wrong message about our age:
Underestimating the Power of Your Image. Dressing ´old´ can include wearing frumpy, outdated, ill-fitting, unflattering, unkempt clothing, or outdated hair and make up. This can be interpreted as being a woman who doesn´t give herself sufficient care and attention, take pride in her appearance, and who may not be staying current by being well read and "in the know". It may send the message that she´s ´given up´, and if she´s given up on herself, what incentive does a prospective employer have to invest in her?
Patti thinks this is why reality shows like Extreme Makeover, What Not to Wear, and How Do I Look? are so popular. It´s easy to see how helping someone change on the outside can really make a difference on the inside. Seeing the total transformation and the "ah ha moments" experienced by participants is wonderful, especially when they have not been initially happy about making the changes.
Letting Yourself Go By Being Overweight Or Out Of Shape. This can be interpreted as a woman who has possibly given up on her own health and well being, is using food as a form of comfort, solace or entertainment (which may indicate underlying issues), or isn´t taking the time to exercise.
Dwelling On The Challenges Of Getting Older. We all have aches and pains and various ailments and conditions. Sometimes our energy reserves have been taxed, but those who make that the center of their world, or their excuse for not doing things can bring down everyone with whom they come in contact. It can be a particular energy zapper when it´s done in a "poor me" sort of way. These folks are no fun to be around. As Sara points out, people don´t remember what you said or did, they remember how you made them feel.
If midlife is dealing you a challenging hormonal hand, do everything you can to get them under control. There are resources at hand to help, but only you can take action to minimize the impact they have.
Talking In A Sad Or Self-deprecating Way About Being "Old." This is different from talking about age. Patti says she has many friends who are in their 50s, 60s and beyond who freely admit their age, but they say it almost defiantly like, "So what? I'm just hitting my stride! Whatever!" or "I've been around the block and back and I know what I'm doing now. Hurray! What's next?"
Being Stuck In Old Ways Of Thinking Or Doing Things. Those who are not open to new adventures, possibilities, or ideas are sending the message that they are ´set in their ways´. Sara believes these days, cross generational relationship skills are becoming as important as cross cultural relationship skills.
Being Stuck With One´s "Issues". Being willing to do the "inner work" is how one moves ahead with the above items. Doing workshops, reading some targeted self help books, and even hiring a professional counselor or coach can be so important to giving a woman the support she needs to be her best.
Doing that takes the courage to be brave enough to face one´s issues. Only you can believe it is worth the investment in time and resources to work on yourself. It will pay dividends far beyond merely the job search by making your life richer and more fulfilling.
Finally, Patti and Sara believe the attitude of gratitude and the power of optimism can make a huge difference. These are two very important aspects of embracing our more seasoned selves.
The bottom line is, we can´t ultimately control a potential employer´s decision about hiring those of us who are well into our 50s. However, it is well within our control to give no quarter when it comes to presenting ourselves as confident, well-groomed and up to date women who know our worth by showing we continually invest in our appearance, our attitude, our skills and our zest for life. That can go a long way towards neutralizing any negative stereotypes an employer may have about age and can help turn our ´patina´ into an advantage.