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
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