Thanks to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, it is illegal for employers to discriminate against applicants due to their age as well as other protected classifications. But unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that finding a job in your 50s or 60s is as easy as it is for younger job seekers.
The average duration of unemployment in July 2023 for people ages 55 to 64 was about two weeks longer than people ages 35 to 44, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
To ensure you can land a great job no matter your age, job seekers over 50 should follow these best practices to demonstrate their competency and eliminate biases:
1. Start your job search right away.
2. Use your network.
3. Reassure a younger manager.
4. Don’t mention your age or the interviewer’s age.
5. Optimize your resume.
6. Explain why you’re not overqualified.
7. Demonstrate your fluency with technology.
[See: 15 In-Demand Jobs for Seniors.]
1. Start Your Job Search Right Away
Don’t wait until your unemployment runs out to start looking for a new position.
“It does seem like prospects are best for the unemployed as soon as they leave their jobs, so it might be a good idea to start job searching in earnest right at the beginning, rather than easing into job searching while on unemployment,” says Joanna Lahey, an associate professor at Texas A&M University who studies age discrimination.
A large gap on your resume and a growing sense of frustration with the job search process can make it even more difficult to get hired again.
As soon as you lose your job or decide it’s time to leave, start browsing opportunities on LinkedIn, job boards and with your network.
2. Use Your Network
Although there are many modern ways to find jobs online and through social media, having contacts at the company you would like to work for is still one of the best ways to find out about openings and get hired.
“The No. 1 way to find a job is through personal contacts,” Lahey says. “You can avoid a lot of implicit discrimination if someone who knows you is willing to vouch for you.”
[Read: Job Search Websites and Apps for Retirees]
3. Reassure a Younger Manager
Some managers may feel uncomfortable supervising someone who is more experienced than they are.
“The big thing to keep in mind is that the person supervising you or making the hiring decision may well be younger than you are and insecure about supervising someone with more experience,” says Peter Cappelli, a management professor and director of the Center for Human Resources at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
“So, it is important to let them know you are OK with the role you’re applying for, that you don’t want their job and that you are expecting to take direction from them,.” he adds.
4. Don’t Mention Your Age or the Interviewer’s Age
You don’t want to call attention to your age by listing jobs you held over 20 years ago on your resume or mentioning your age during the interview process. Equally as important: Don’t comment on the age of a younger manager.
“Even if the person interviewing you is no older than your children, never make any reference to their age, thinly veiled or otherwise,” says Nancy Collamer, a career coach and author of “Second-Act Careers: 50+ Ways to Profit from Your Passions During Semi-Retirement.”
“Making seemingly innocent comments like, ‘Did you enjoy college?’ could easily be misinterpreted as a condescending and unwelcome remark,” she says.
It’s also good to know that it is illegal for your interviewer to ask about your age in an interview due to equal employment laws.
5. Optimize Your Resume
You don’t need to include every position you have ever held on your resume.
“Don’t make your resume a history lesson. Highlight your most recent achievements and the new talents you’re acquiring,” Collamer says. “In general, you should keep the spotlight on the last 10 years of relevant experience.”
Not only does having an overly comprehensive job history give away your age, but hiring managers tend to prefer a simple and succinct resume. You can also remove years like your graduation date.
6. Explain Why You’re Not Overqualified
It might seem silly, but employers might want to avoid hiring overqualified candidates, whether they are worried about pay rates, retention or other risks that cost them money.
If you’ve been in the job market longer than your younger counterparts, you might need to demonstrate that you are able to perform the functions of a job but not significantly above the listed requirements.
Having 20 or 30 years of work experience can make you seem overqualified for many positions.
“Make sure your cover letter explains why you’re right for the job you’re applying to,” Lahey says. “Explain any gaps or why you’re applying for something for which it seems like you’re overqualified.”
[See: 19 Part-Time Retirement Jobs That Pay Well]
7. Demonstrate Your Fluency With Technology
Older workers are often perceived as being unable to effectively use technology. Make it clear to potential employers that you are tech-savvy and continuing to keep up with new developments.
“I think the single most important thing you can do to overcome age bias is to demonstrate your comfort with technology and social media during the interview process,” Collamer says.
“There are lots of different ways to subtly let potential employers know you’re tech-friendly: Include your LinkedIn URL on your resume, mention an interesting article you found on the employer’s Twitter feed or be a regular contributor to industry-related groups on LinkedIn,” she adds.
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7 Tips for Getting Hired After Age 50 originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 08/22/23: This story was previously published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
