How to Interview for a Job When Youre an Older Worker

How to Interview for a Job When Youre an Older WorkerHow to Interview for a Job When Youre an Older Worker10Over 40 and searching for a new career? Prepping to bewerbungsgesprch for a job? Some career experts suggest that older workers shouldnt be surprised if they encounter age discrimination. While the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) forbids discrimination against those 40+ during the hiring process, as well as once on the job, some hiring managers may hold unconscious biases against older applicants. Some may believe, for example, that veteran workers are behind the times when it comes to new technologies or less energetic than their younger counterparts.For this reason, its important to approach job interviews thoughtfully when youre a more seasoned professional.Here are some dos and donts for workers of a certain age who dont want age discrimination to be a factor when they interview for a job.How to Interview for a Job When Youre an Older WorkerUse your expe rience to your best advantage.Older workers bring many benefits to the table over younger candidates, including a longer work history. Use this experience to wow your interviewers by focusing on how your past positions have positioned you perfectly for the current job. Some advance planning by practicing potential interview questions can go a long way with this one.Keep your attitude in check.Older workers and younger workers alike may sometimes fall prey to revealing a problematic attitude during their interview. If you find yourself sitting across from a twenty-something interviewer, your ego may kick in, causing you to present yourself in an unfavorable light. Even if you feel like you have more experience than someone younger who may be part of the hiring committee or even your future boss, be sure to keep your attitude positive. Focus on the companys needs and what you can do to help the team achieve them.Give your resume an overhaul.If it has been a while since youve been on t he job market, you might need to start from scratch in the resume department. You want to be sure that your resume does notlage appear outdated or inappropriate when it comes to use of current formats and technologies. If youre uncertain about the best way to present information on your resume, consider consulting with a professional resume service to have it revised or rewritten. Having something updated and fresh for employers to peruse during your job interviews will go a long way to aid your job search.Be social-media savvy.In todays job search, having an up-to-date resume is no longer enough to land an interview, which is the first step to successfully interviewing. Research from Bullhorn has shown that almost all recruiters and staffing professionals now rely on social media sites- like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Google+- when seeking job candidates. As a starting point, if you havent already done so, create a LinkedIn profile to indicate your industry and job history. If you fee l uncomfortable navigating certain sites, social media experts can help you craft a professional page to attract the attention of potential employers.While job searching as an older candidate can present some unique challenges, you can overcome them by anticipating potential pitfalls, identifying your strengths, and taking the time you need to thoroughly prepare for your interview.Looking to change careers? Start your job search here