| Looking for a job is difficult and stressful at the best of | | | | resorting to plastic surgery to give themselves a more |
| times, but when the world's economies are battling a | | | | youthful appearance. But there are less drastic |
| recession and you're past your prime, the difficulties | | | | measures that can be taken to disguise your age, or |
| are compounded. People are considered 'mature job | | | | at least the effects of advanced years. |
| seekers' when they hit the big 5-0, but some experts | | | | For instance, many people trim their CVs; they cut the |
| say that your age starts to count against you when | | | | dates from their school years and eliminate work |
| you reach 45; an age that in this era of longevity | | | | history that dates back more than 15 - 20 years. While |
| should be considered your prime. Those of a 'mature | | | | this method is not entirely fool-proof, it will at least |
| nature' enter the job market for a number of reasons: | | | | minimize your chances of being dismissed out of hand |
| they are bored with retirement and want to find a | | | | and may even land you an interview. The interview, of |
| constructive way to occupy their time, or they find that | | | | course, then becomes of paramount importance. You |
| retirement is far costlier than they had anticipated and | | | | need to pay careful attention to your appearance now |
| need to return to work to make ends meet. It's even | | | | more than ever before. You may want to update your |
| possible that they were never retired and had to rejoin | | | | hairstyle, especially if you've had the same one for the |
| the job market because of downsizing. | | | | last 20 years, and it may be worth investing in a new |
| Just as there are reasons behind mature job seekers | | | | business suit, rather than wearing the same outfit you |
| re-entering the job market, there are reasons behind | | | | wore to your high school graduation. |
| the reluctance or unwillingness to hire workers over 50 | | | | How you conduct yourself during the interview is also |
| years old. Older people are perceived as being set in | | | | critical. Bear in mind that you will in all likelihood be |
| their ways as well as rigid, inflexible and averse to | | | | interviewed by someone who is younger than you, so |
| change. In addition, employers have to weigh the | | | | don't take offence at the line of questioning or any |
| potential costs of hiring an older person over a | | | | perceived condescending tone. Answer questions |
| younger one. These costs are associated with the | | | | carefully, especially loaded questions that refer to |
| likelihood of illness and absenteeism. The cost could | | | | grandchildren, health and retirement age. It's also a |
| also relate to productivity. Time could be lost as older | | | | good idea to anticipate some questions and address |
| employees may need to undergo training to be | | | | the issues before you're asked, for example, issues |
| brought up to speed, and there could be conflict within | | | | such how you feel about reporting to people who are |
| the work environment as different generations adjust | | | | younger than you. Try to keep the focus on your |
| to working together. | | | | knowledge and skills, and make sure that your |
| On the other hand, many companies value the | | | | knowledge is as up to date as possible, so that they |
| experience, wisdom and cool heads of older | | | | can't use your ignorance as a reason to pass you |
| employees. Older employees may be perceived as | | | | over. |
| calmer under pressure, more reasonable and rational, | | | | These days, with age becoming an increasingly |
| more cautious and less prone to reckless or careless | | | | important factor in the job market, there are many |
| decisions. Workers above a certain age are also | | | | niche job sites online that cater exclusively to mature |
| perceived as 'old school', which means that they are | | | | job seekers. Many conventional job sites also offer |
| thought to be more loyal, dedicated and reliable; it's | | | | services aimed at the mature job seeker market. |
| believed that their work ethic is beyond reproach. | | | | Some experts recommend that older job seekers |
| As with all arguments, there is an element of truth to | | | | make use of a career coach, but so long as you keep |
| both sides. It is, however, undeniable that ageism does | | | | your wits about you, and use your knowledge and |
| exist and that many companies practice it, albeit | | | | experience as leverage, your chances of conquering |
| covertly. The problem has become so severe that | | | | the job market are as good as anyone else's. |
| many mature job seekers in the US and Canada, are | | | | |