Ageism in Your Job Search: 7 Defense Strategies [Video Webinar]

If you haven’t faced age discrimination as a job seeker yourself, it’s very likely that you know someone who has. We surveyed 4,000+ job seekers for our 2023 Hiring & Job Search Outlook Report, and 40% said they believed age discrimination would impact their job search this year.

We cover this crucial topic in our Premium webinar and Q&A session, “Ageism in Your Job Search: 7 Defense Strategies.”

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The job search can be a daunting task for anyone, but for older professionals, the additional challenge of ageism makes it even tougher. In this webinar, we gathered a panel of HR and job search experts to discuss ways to combat ageism and optimize your job search. Here are the takeaways from the webinar:

Meet the Experts:

• Chrisanne Bowden is one of iHire’s go-to Senior HR Consultants. Her vast experience in HR and management is hard to rival.
• Erin Steiner, a certified resume writer at iHire, has been helping clients from diverse industries optimize their resumes.
• Lori Cole, iHire’s Brand Ambassador, is a certified career advisor with a rich 20-year background in staffing and recruiting.

Marketing Yourself Effectively

The first step to beat ageism in your job search is to ensure you’re selling yourself and your credentials appropriately. To do so, focus on:

• The parts of your career that sync well with your target job.
• Showcasing your ability to collaborate with diverse groups.
• Highlighting your continuous learning and adaptability.
• Demonstrating flexibility.

Age-Proofing Your Resume

Your resume is one of the first things an employer will see in the hiring process, so having a modern resume that stands out is key.

1. Adopt a modern format/font.
2. Update your email; if you’re still on AOL, consider a change!
3. Stick to one phone number: your cell.
4. Limit your address to city, state, and ZIP code.
5. Keep only the last 10–15 years of your work history.
6. Exclude graduation years for degrees you obtained more than five years ago.
7. Stay updated: Remove obsolete software from your skills section.

Choosing the Right Resume Format

If you have over 30 years of experience, the “hybrid” resume format might be perfect. It has a “Greatest Hits” section which lets you spotlight achievements without revealing their dates.

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Determining Your Worth

If you’ve been in one role or at the same company for a while, or if you’re reentering the workforce, you need to have a good idea of how the average salary for the position you want has changed. Then, you can better understand where you fit in the market.

1. Research current market rates using resources like iHire’s Salary Research tool.
2. Review job postings in your field for potential salary ranges.
3. Evaluate the unique value you bring.
4. Be pragmatic about your expected salary.
5. Prioritize benefits: Would you prefer more PTO over a higher salary?

Ace the Virtual Interview

Many first interviews are virtual nowadays. Understanding and being comfortable with how virtual interviews are conducted will help immensely.

1. Familiarize yourself with the platform.
2. Do a tech-test with friends or family.
3. Opt for a professional background setting.
4. Ensure your internet connection is stable.
5. Stay confident, even if your interviewers are significantly younger.

Handling Age-Related Questions

If interviewers try to gauge your age with questions, remain tactful. Focus on your passion, growth, and the value you can bring.

The Importance of Social Media Presence

Stay active, particularly on LinkedIn. Ensure that your profiles use modern professional headshots and reflect your knowledge of modern tech.

This discussion was filled with valuable insights to help older job seekers navigate the modern job market. Remember, experience can be a powerful tool; it’s all about how you present it. For more job search tips, head to our Job Seeker Resource Center or check out iHire’s Masterclass: Overcoming Ageism in Your Job Search.