Debunking Three Myths of Job Search for the Older
Candidate
There is much “wisdom” about looking for a job after age 40
that’s not true. Unfortunately many job seekers believe this information and
hinder their job searches as a result. I spoke with several HR professionals to
get their views on three myths of job search for older candidates.
Myth 1: I shouldn’t put my graduation date on my resume.
“When you walk through the door for an interview, they’ll know approximately how
old you are. Should you give them that surprise?” says Sandra McKay, a Boston-
based Independent Recruiting Consultant. Additionally, if you leave the dates
off the reader might automatically assume you’re older than you are. More
importantly, to get your resume posted to any “nationally recognized retained
search database all information and dates are verified.” Without them the resume
is eliminated from the pool. The bottom line: if a company doesn’t want to hire
you because of your age, you don’t want to work there.
Myth 2: I shouldn’t list all my work experience.
This one’s a little trickier. If your work experience from 20 years ago isn’t
relevant to the job you’re currently seeking, maybe you shouldn’t include it.
But if you’ve been steadily increasing your responsibilities within an industry,
then by all means make sure it’s there.
John Garza, Manager of Workforce Services for Pinnacle West in Arizona, is
looking for candidates with experience in his industry. “I want to interview
people who know the challenges we’re facing in the power industry. Someone who
hasn’t been around won’t know that. I want to interview candidates who are up to
date on our issues. An ideal candidate would be one who worked for an electric
utility in another state and moved to Arizona.” As one of AARP’s best companies
to work for in 2003, their interest in older workers is exemplary. (Do an Internet
search to find the complete 2003 list or wait for the press in October about the
2004 companies.)
Myth 3: I’m overqualified.
This is often cited as the reason you weren’t offered the job, but usually it’s
a polite way to eliminate candidates for any reason, including age
discrimination, without being liable. In many instances your extensive
qualifications can be turned into a plus. Wouldn’t a company prefer to hire
someone with your knowledge? After all, as Heidi Ordwein, HR Director at
Ultratech, Inc. in California notes, “they can hit the ground running. There’s
less time to get up to speed on the job.” (Ultratech made AARP’s 2003 list,
too.) You can try to preempt the “overqualified” response by giving answers to
interview questions that use your knowledge to solve real problems the company
may be having.
Often the biggest challenge older candidates have is the interview with a
younger employee. The more you can put the interviewer at ease and convince
him/her that you can do the job, the more likely you’ll be seen as a potential
employee. Without knowing it you may be seen in a “parental” light, or come
across as too powerful and threatening just because you’ve been around the block
a few times. You’re not at fault, but it can be discouraging when you don’t get
an offer for a job you know you could do well.
Keep your shoes shined and your briefcase ready. There will be an interview that
you’ll ace and then the job will be yours.
Jan Cannon, MBA, PhD, has over 10 years of experience helping clients to
find work that they enjoy through career coaching and resume preparation. She
was an online expert with CIO.com and jobfindtoday.com and currently provides
online content to the Career Connection of the Boston Herald (
http://print.jobfind.com ).
Jan speaks to groups and leads workshops on making career choices, networking,
finding jobs, and staying motivated. She teaches courses on entrepreneurship
for those interested in starting their own businesses. Jan has Myers Briggs™
MBTI™ and FirstStepFastTrack™ certifications and offers Inscape™ DiSC
assessments.
Jan's book on senior job search will be published by Capital Press in
April 2005.
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