How to Deal with Age Stereotypes in a Job Interview

Some employers seem to prefer younger applicants for their positions. Often they have presumptions about older workers. If you are over 50 or even 40, here are some of those age stereotypes and how to address them in a job interview.

1. Stereotype #1. Young people are more techie and more familiar with advances in their field.

If you have recently graduated from college or even high school, there may be a presumption that you are automatically going to be more techie than a person over 50 and that you are going to be more in touch with advancements in your field.

You need to show up front that you have good computer skills and that you know social media like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. If you need a refresher course, then you should take some classes with a private tutor or at the Apple store. Make sure you know the language of social media so you are not embarrassed at the interview by a term you don't know.

To show that you are up-to-date in your field, be sure to read some current articles about recent trends. When I would apply for a Human Resouces position, I always read the recent Supreme Court decisions on employment discrimination so I could discuss my knowledge of recent cases.

One way to show your computer skills is to have a flawless cover letter and resume. Any errors will put your application in the reject pile. If you have a relevant website or blog, put that link on your resume, too.

2. Stereotype #2. Younger applicants will accept a lower salary.

We know that employers are trying to keep their expenses as low as possible. When they hire new employees, they prefer to offer a salary at the bottom of the pay range. If an employee has recently retired from this position, it is a way for the employer to save some employee costs.

Employers may think that candidates with a lot of experience will not take the advertised salary for this position, and if they do take it, they will jump ship as soon as they can find a higher-paying job. If this is a younger person's first or second job, their salary expectations probably are lower than yours.

As an applicant, you need to show that you are the most qualified for the position with your experience, expertise and education. If you do have some flexibility about salary, let the employer know. For example, if you already are eligible for social security or have a pension, then you may have some negotiating room for the salary. If you have a reason to stay in the area, let the employer know that as well. For example, you may have parents or children living in the same region or your spouse may already have employment nearby.

You need to show the company that paying you more for your experience gives value to the company. Explain that you have worked similar positions at similar companies and that you can hit the ground running. If you can, show that you can take on additional duties from other positions so that your value will even be greater. However, do not sound like a know-it-all when doing this.

Stereotype # 3. We can train a younger people for the job because they are more hip and flexible. Older applicants are stubborn and set in their ways.

The conventional wisdom is that older workers are set in their ways and want to do things the way they always have done them and are resistant to change. You have to show that unlike an old dog, you can learn new tricks. You have to show by your answers and demeanor that you are creative and have good ideas. You need to show that you are a problem solver.

Being hip is not a requirement for a job, but you still need to show that you can be hip, too, but in a dignified way. Dress with some flair, but don't be provocative or frumpy. Perhaps a nice pair of mod eye glasses will be a nice touch. I always like to wear a red suit or jacket, since red is supposed to be a power color. Always look professional.

These are just a few of the age stereotypes, you may face. Be prepared with your response and you will be Interviewing Like a Pro.

Mary Greenwood, Attorney, HR Director, Mediator, and Author,
 How to Negotiate Like a Pro, winner of nine book awards
How to Interview Like a Pro, Winner of  thirteen book awards,
How To Mediate Like A Pro, Winner of twelve book awards
Available at http://www.amazon.com
Visit http://www.Marygreenwood.org
Email: Howtonegotiate@aol.com

How to Answer This Question in a Job Interview: What are Your Weaknesses?

The worst thing you can do when asked about your weaknesses is to say you can't think of any or that you don't have any. That just sounds arrogant.

Be honest but pick a relatively weak weakness. Your interviewers do not want to know that sometimes you have tantrums, take a lot of time off, let your secretary sign important papers, or don't get along with coworkers.

If you are applying for a budget job, don't say you aren't good with numbers. If you know that your predecessor is a micro-manager, don't say you like to get into everyone's projects,

A. Here are some suggestions with a solution to followup.

1. Sometimes I have too much on my plate and am stretched too thin.

Solution: I am working on delegating some of my projects to others.

2. I work too hard.

Solution: I am working on balancing my personal and business life.

3. I am impatient. I like to do things myself rather than explain to others.

Solution: I am learning the virtues of patience and will take time to explain what I need.

4. I am a perfectionist.

Solution: I am taking measures to overcome this. I realize that everything I write or work on does not have to be perfect all the time.

5. I hate to fire employees and I put off addressing employee issues. I often feel that with enough mentoring and training, an employee can be salvaged.

Solution: Although I still like to help troubled employees and give them a second chance, I am now addressing employee issues sooner if it is detrimental to the workplace.

B. Be prepared to answer the employer's follow-up question.

1. How is that a weakness? I want employees to work hard.

Answer: I will always work hard for the company, but I want some balance. Of course, I will make myself available 24/7 via cell phone. When I am needed, of course I will stay late at work.

2. How is that a weakness? Everyone has too much on their plate. Multi-tasking is a way of life.

Answer: That is true. However, I am always working on being efficient and meeting my deadlines. In some cases, I may do the bulk of the work, but mostly it will mean that my team and I are working together to get the job done.

3. How is that a weakness? I like perfection.

Answer: So do I. However, being a perfectionist can slow things down. If I wait for the third or fourth review, I may miss a deadline. I trust my staff and when I feel the product is excellent, though maybe not perfect, I will approve it.

If you follow these tips, you will be interviewing like a pro!

Mary Greenwood, Attorney, HR Director, Mediator, and Author,
How to Negotiate Like a Pro, winner of nine book awards
How to Interview Like a Pro, Winner of thirteen book awards,
How to Mediate Like A Pro, Winner of twelve book awards
Available at http://www.amazon.com
Howtointerview@aol.com
http://www.marygreenwood.org

Can an applicant really be overqualified or is this code for age discrimination?

A. What does it mean when an employer says you are overqualified for a position? Is it a code word for age discrimination?

In my opinion, no one can really be over-qualified for a position. Either one is qualified and meets the minimum qualifications or one does not. So what is an employer really saying when it says you are overqualified? What are they worried about? Why would the employer want to hire someone with less experience or fewer qualifications.

1. The employer feels it cannot afford someone who is "overqualified" and is suspicious when an applicant will accept a lower salary than previously earned.

2. The employer is worried that the workers will jump ship at the first opportunity to get a job that better fits their qualifications.

3. The supervisor may be intimidated that you have more qualifications or experience than she does and think you may want her job.

5. The employer does not want to hire older workers and knows enough not to say it directly so it says it does not want "overqualified" workers.

B. If you are an older worker, how can you overcome the employer's bias against "overqualified" applicants?

1. The employer feels it cannot afford someone who is "overqualified" and is suspicious when an applicant will accept a lower salary than previously earned.

Explain to the employer why you are willing to accept a lower salary. Here are some possible responses:

a. I am on Social Security (or have a pension) and I have the flexibility to apply for jobs I really want even if the salary is lower.

b. I really want to work in this area (in my case Florida) and I know that the salaries are lower here. I know we take some of our salary as sunshine and good weather.

2. The employer is worried that the applicants will jump ship at the first opportunity to get a job that better fits their qualification.

Of course, a younger less-experienced employee may also jump ship if an opportunity presents itself, but that may not concern the employer. Here are some responses:

a. My family lives in this area and I am willing to take a lower salary to live nearby.

b. This job is the one aspect of my field that I like the most and this is where I would like to spend the rest of my career.

3. The supervisor may be intimidated since you have more qualifications or experience than she does and may think you want her job. Here are some responses:

a. When asked what your long-term goals are, don't say you want to get promoted. Instead say that after a long career in this field, you want to stay put.

b. Try to emphasize that you are a team player.

c. Be careful not to sound like a know-it-all.

d. Don't give advice at the interview on how things could be better based on your experience. Save this for later.

As an applicant, you must try to show that your experience and qualifications are a plus for this position. If you follow these tips, you will be interviewing like a pro.

Mary Greenwood Author of How to Interview Like a Pro, winner of fourteen book awards.
www.MaryGreenwood.org