Overcoming "Age Discrimination" in Your Job Search: It's Not What You Think
The Real Culprit: Experience Discrimination
If you've been sending out resumes and hearing crickets, or worse, being told you're "overqualified," you might be quick to blame age discrimination. But here's the truth bomb: what you're likely facing is likely “experience discrimination.” Yes, age and experience often go hand in hand, but the distinction is crucial when it comes to job searching.
At Work It DAILY, we've cracked the code on how to scrub out this discrimination from your resume, LinkedIn profile, and overall approach to working with employers. Let me break it down for you.
The Jack (or Jill) of All Trades Trap
One of the biggest mistakes we see seasoned job seekers make is trying to be the Jack or Jill of all trades. You might think showcasing your versatility and wide-ranging experience is a selling point. You're essentially saying, "I'm a BMW for the price of a Honda."
In reality, nobody trusts that deal. Would you?
When you claim you can do everything, employers hear "overqualified" and may assume you'll jump ship the moment a better opportunity comes along. It's not about your age; it's about the perceived flight risk.
The Scales of Justice in Job Searching
Picture this: a weighted scale. On one side, there's you with your wealth of experience. On the other, there's what the employer is offering. When you're a senior professional, your side of the scale often weighs much heavier.
Employers look at this imbalance and think, "The moment things get better elsewhere, they're going to ditch us, and we'll lose all the money we spent training them." It's a valid concern, not discrimination.
Balancing the Scales: Your New Strategy
So, how do you offset this perceived imbalance? You need to do a much better job explaining how the scales are actually balanced. Focus on articulating what they have to offer that will make you want to stay long-term.
This isn't about faking it. It's about genuinely identifying and communicating the value you see in the role and the company. If you can't give really good examples of why this opportunity excites you, they're not going to trust your intentions.
Two Key Takeaways for Your Job Search Makeover
Stop being a Jack or Jill of all trades: You're not, and you shouldn't try to be. Instead, position yourself as a specialist. Focus on your core strengths and how they align with the specific role you're applying for.
Get clear on what they offer: Do your homework. Understand the company, the role, and the growth opportunities. Be prepared to articulate why this position is a great fit for where you are in your career.
A New Approach for Seasoned Professionals
This may sound harsh, but we tell you this for your own benefit: what worked for you in your 20s or 30s isn't going to cut it now. You're a different brand with a lot more experience under your belt. You need to portray a different message.
At Work It DAILY, we guide professionals through this entire process. We help you adjust your tools – your resume, LinkedIn profile, and interview answers – and teach you tactics to connect with employers in a way that showcases your value without raising red flags.
Don't Give Up – Adapt!
Countless people come to Work It DAILY convinced they are facing age discrimination. After going through our program, they realized they were just approaching their job search all wrong. Within weeks, they're landing interviews and offers.
So before you chalk up your job search struggles to age discrimination, consider that you might just need a new playbook. The job market has changed, and your approach needs to change with it.
Come give Work It DAILY a try FREE for 7 days. We'll teach you new strategies and techniques to help you beat experience discrimination and land the job you deserve. Your experience is an asset – let us show you how to make it work for you, not against you!
You've got this!
Cassidy O’Donnell
Reply