I’m Over 50 and No One Will Hire Me

According to an article from the New York Times last fall, workers over 50 accounted for nearly 50% of the unemployment rate at that time. The article chronicles over-50 out-of-work employees and their fears and frustrations over their inability to find work. One of the key concerns of all those profiled remains the issue of whether or not employers will seriously consider them because of their age.

It’s a very real concern for anyone over 50 in this job market. Although you have extensive work experience, you worry that employers might perceive your age as a liability. How can you combat these concerns to put your best foot forward to find an employer who will look beyond your age?

While there may be no foolproof strategy for finding a job at any age, we offer four strategies that might benefit this demographic in particular:

1. Reevaluate your résumé
How far back in your work history does your résumé go? It’s not necessary to include your entire work history. Ten to 15 years of experience is sufficient for any résumé. Moreover, you do not need to include your graduation date from college or high school. The only dates that an employer should see on your résumé are your dates of employment for jobs you held in the last 10 to 15 years.

2. Brush up your skill set
If you don’t know how to use a laptop, aren’t comfortable with the Internet, and think “Excel” is a word that means “to do very well at something,” then make an investment in your skills. A common perception of older employees is that they lack the ability to use today’s office technology effectively – that they fear computers and are afraid to try new things. Prove the nay-sayers wrong. If you don’t know how to use different types of software, go learn how. Check out your local public library, adult education, or community college programs.

3. Network, network, network
Talk to people you know. Strike up professional relationships with businesspeople you don’t know. Join a professional organization, go to meetings, and put yourself out there. Applying for positions can be the first step to a potential new job, but the people element of the job search still matters. Moreover, getting involved in professional organizations can be a great way to show your willingness to be a team player and to learn.

4. Volunteer
Think of volunteering as another form of networking. You can meet people, put your skills to good use, and eliminate more gaps on your résumé. No one ever said you couldn’t put volunteer work in under “related experience” or “professional experience.”

Maybe a temporary job will be a good way to get some short-term income or open the door to new possibilities. Volunteering and networking might help you find connections you’d never imagined.
And, of course, don’t be afraid to try new things. Don’t just plan to surprise employers with what you can offer. Be prepared to surprise yourself, and you never know how far you might go.