Top Tips For Combating Ageism

In a world where youth is a marketing force, the work place is run more and more by younger and younger people. However, as the Baby Boom generation hits another birthday, there are more and more qualified and capable older workers available to fill job openings and move into managerial positions. If you are an older worker either looking for a new position or hoping for a promotion, you will need to keep a few things in mind.

First, ageism does happen. Yes, there are laws against it and if caught discriminating against someone on the basis of age an employer can be prosecuted. But ageism occurs most often in the form of subtle and unspoken decisions. The decision to interview a younger applicant instead of an older one. The decision to promote the younger employee at a lower salary than the older employee with more experience would require. These decisions may not be obvious to anyone but you. So here are some ways to combat ageism in your career:

• Stay up to date. One of the most common complaints about older candidates who have extensive experience in their fields is that the experience occurred when the industry was very different. Changes in technology and marketing methods have made drastic impacts on the work place. It is vital that you keep up with that information. Subscribe to an industry newsletter to keep up with trends.
• Stay trained. You may have been at your job for thirty years, but that does not mean that you cannot benefit from further training. Try taking a class in an area directly related to your field that will diversify your skill set and make you a more attractive candidate.
• Stay honest. You may be tempted to change your work history or vary your job titles to show some diversity in your experience. This is unnecessary. Instead, emphasize your skills and if you spent years at the same job, also emphasize your ability to adapt to change.
• Stay current. When applying for a new position, limit the experience you list on your resume to the last ten or fifteen years. Any more will make you seem either overqualified or too expensive.
• Stay within the law. Review the laws on age discrimination to be sure you understand what your rights are. This will help you avoid getting into a situation that could keep you from getting or keeping your job.

Click here to go to the next ageism article - Facing Up to Youthful Competition with Confidence