After 50 years old, typically companies say a person is overqualified, out of touch with modern equipment or too expensive. What makes an older person impressive to hiring managers?

According to US World News & Report and AARP, older workers (50+) are recommended to do the following: (I would say all ages would do well using these recommendations!)

1. Share short, powerful stories of how you used your skills and strengths to help organizations’ bottom line. You most likely have a lifetime of rich stories you can share.
2. Emphasize how well you can relate to people, including people older than yourself. The articles encourages emphasizing easy communication with older people. On the other hand, I am thinking that with all of your experience, you may be able share a variety of stories communicating and understanding a wide range of people in all age categories.
3. Communicate your adaptability.
4. Don’t stereotype any ages or group of people. Be open to look in a fresh way at each person.
5. Pass your knowledge on in ways people want to listen. “We’re basically looking for [someone who has] the ability to share ideas, good interpersonal skills, and good communications skills,” says Walter Caldwell, manager of staffing resources at the Aerospace Corp. in El Segundo, California.

I’d love to hear what tips you’d like to add to this list. Please email me at Terri@SummitViewCareerCoaching.com.

Enjoy Monday morning as much as Friday afternoon!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 5th, 2008 at 7:59 pm and is filed under Job Search. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.