Sadly, we are a society fixated on youth. It seems when you hit 40, you are over the hill.
EEOC or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission provides Federal laws to protect workers in the 40-70 age range from age discrimination in the
work place. This is a nice thought for an ideal world. In the real world, age discrimination is extremely difficult to prove.
You have a WEALTH of assets; you only need to know how to market yourself in the best light.
_____________________
As in combat, it is kill or be killed. It is survival of the fittest. As you age in the labor market, especially if your'e 45 to 60 years of age; it is "BRAND" or be "BRANDED".
It is imperative that you create your own brand rather than being labelled by others. One method to achieve this goal is to describe yourself in three, SINGLE words and ask your peers or friends,
if they perceive you to be that way.
Brand or BE branded!
Remember, brand or BE branded! This is especially true for recent grads and seasoned professionals. People will have assumptions about you based on
stereotypes and previous experiences. Don’t leave your professional fate up to assumptions!
Your countermeasure is to hone in on your brand. How do you want others to perceive you? What do you want people to say when you’re not in the room?
How do you want to be defined?
Once you’ve determined your personal brand, your next step is to promote it effectively. You can have the best personal brand in your head but if you
don’t make it known, that’s where it’s going to stay for a very long time.
You need to constantly promote and market yourself in the most favorful light possible.
Employers simply want to hire the best talent; show them what you can accomplish, be a problem solver and qualify your achievements. This type of job applicant GETS HIRED!
__________________________
UPDATED: March 26, 2015
"BABY BOOMERS" are having a tough time interviewing via FACE TIME, an Apple app. This application allows for two way video calling in real time. The Android
companion would be Skype video calls. It is normal to be intimidated by such technology especially when computers, smart phones and the internet never existed when baby boomers attended grade school,
high school and college. FACE TIME can be an asset for getting hired, if you practice video interviewing with a friend or just look at a mirror and self practice.
Technology is changing the world and the way we live. Learn and adapt and you will survive, if not, thrive in the business world.
_____________________________
UPDATED: February 26, 2016