Free Career and Job Search Advice

neil · Newbie Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 1 Career Advice: +0/-0

I am 45 years old and have recently lost my job because of staff shortage. I am now having an interview for a job I cannot afford to loose. However my age is a problem. I know they seek highly motivated persons and young staff so I was very surprised that they accepted my application and invited me for the interview. Now that I have been invited it would be a shame to ruin it because I answer wrongly to an age-related questions?
Is there anyone who was in the same situation and can tell me how to handle age-related questions? What have you been asked?
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lexa10881 · Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 12:44 am Post subject:

Let your experience be what speaks about you, not your age. Refine your resume and brush up on your interview skills, then get to work looking.

http://www.cvtips.com/over_40_job_search.html

Randy · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 5:16 am Post subject:

Oh, yeah, aren't these situations fun? Here's where the employer has the luxury of having it both ways. If it's in his best interest, your "age" can be translated as "experience" to be valued. If there's something about you he doesn't like (maybe that Bugs Bunny tie turned him off), he gets away with saying you're "over-qualified."

You know, it's not the "older" candidate who needs advice and guidance in these matters. It's the younger managers who do the interviews with men and women like us (I'm 55). Someone needs to educate THEM so they'll get the message that I'll put this way: "Look, I'm not eighteen years old, dammit. Don't be patronized and condescending and treat me like I just crawled out from under a rock and I, in turn, won't treat you like a spoiled brat who thinks he's better and smarter than everyone else just because you have a four-year degree and a cute little name plate with a title after your name."

Hell, just be yourself. You already know you're dealing with a bunch who are nearly always capricious and totally arbirtrary at best, that when all is said and done, the person they hire is the one they like the best. After that, the rest is just an insane ritual employers engage in to pretend their complying with federal and state laws.....

Pauloz · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 7:57 am Post subject:

I was asked how I felt about having supervisors younger than me. I could truthfully answer that it didn't matter me, because it didn't. I've been a supervisor in that position, so if anything, I'd sympathize.

I'd suggest keeping it real, letting them know you're up to speed. That matters more than age.

They already know your age, so it hasn't bothered them so far, at least.

You've got to the interview stage, that's half of the battle over. Good luck.

ank06 · Expert Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 248 Career Advice: +1/-0

Age related questions? Don't worry about them because they're not really allowed to ask you about your age directly...it's discriminatory. But they could ask you how would you adapt yourself in such in which not to leave the impression you're old. Simple: displaying a young personality, the smile always on your face, interrelating with the others, discussing common topics and so on. Age should by no means be a problem.

http://www.cvtips.com/over_40_job_hunting.html

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