Concern about Being Too Old to Find a New Job

Anne writes:

As a “mature” woman (57 years of age) being in the position of looking for a new job, what advice can you offer me to sell my diverse skills? I have the feeling that while I have management, training, administrator, executive assistant and event planning skills, I’m “too old.” My frustration level is very high right now, as is my depression level.   Any advice?  

The Career Doctor responds:

Even though one of my students just referred to someone in their 40s as “old,” many employers are slowly coming around to valuing the experience and skills of mature job-seekers. And you, on the leading edge of the eldest baby boomers, are blazing the trail for a complete re-evaluation of opinions and stereotypes about older workers.

Some of the common mistakes I see with mature job-seekers are the following:

• Job Search. You must be open to all avenues of job-searching. Of course, your network will still be vital, but since many of your contemporaries may be retiring, you’ll need to build a new, younger base to your network.
• Resumes. Include only recent experience, say the last 15 years or so. No need going back 30+ years, where much of that work experience might be obsolete. Remove dates from older educational degrees/certifications. Use a contemporary style and follow current rules of resume-writing. Certainly someone with your varied experiences needs to include a summary of qualifications section to sum up your top three or four key attributes.
• Cover Letters. The biggest mistake I see in cover letters written by mature workers is an undertone of superiority because of your vast work experience. One of the myths about older workers is that they are inflexible — that they know it all — and you must walk the fine line of showcasing your varied accomplishments without sounding rigid or superior.
• Interviewing. Since you’ll most likely be older than the interviewer — in some cases, much older — your key is to not intimidate him or her. You’ll also want to showcase your adaptability and knowledge of current trends and technology.

Learn much more about strategies for mature workers in this section of Quintessential Careers: Job and Career Resources for Mature and Older Job-Seekers — Including the Baby Boomers.