December 9, 2011

Interviewing tips for mature job seekers

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Tribune Media Services

When John Hemon interviewed for a job as a salesperson with a major electronics retailer in St. Louis, the 61-year-old father of four knew he would have to overcome perceptions about his age. He just didn’t think he’d have to do it in front of someone at least 30 years his junior.

“I saw this kid walk in to interview me and I thought, ‘Oh no, I’m out,’ ” Hemon says. “I figured I could be this guy’s grandfather, so there was no way he would hire me.”

But Hemon was wrong. He got the job by playing down his age and turning up his enthusiasm.

“You really don’t have anything to lose when you’re looking for a job at my age,” Hemon says. “I just kept telling the kid about my own stereo system and asking his advice about plasma TVs.”

Job experts would agree that Hemon played the situation correctly. By focusing on the business, as well as current and topical subjects, he steered the perception of his value as an employee away from his age without ever bringing it up.

If you’re an older adult interviewing for a job, John Challenger, chief executive of outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, offers the following dos and don’ts when looking for work.

Do try to get the initial interview through phone calls and networking, not your résumé. You want to build a level of comfort with your interviewer before she sees your résumé. This way, you will have already won her over, making your age a non-issue.

Don’t tell the interviewer you took early retirement. By mentioning it, you may be giving the impression that you are thinking of retiring in a few years. It also reminds your interviewer that you’re older. Finally, there’s a message about you not wanting to work anymore in there somewhere. Best to leave it unsaid.

Do mention accomplishments from more than 10 years ago only if they are extraordinary or the only example of experience you possess that meet the employer’s needs. Otherwise, leave it in your “unmentioned” pile.

Don’t patronize or talk down to your interviewer. Odds are that you’ll be working for someone younger than you, so check your ego and illustrate that you’d be a good employee not only to work with, but also to manage.

Do stress examples of loyalty to your former companies in order to demonstrate how you won’t be jumping ship at the first available opportunity.

Don’t be afraid of new technology. If you don’t know how to use a computer, take a class or find someone to lead you through it. Don’t date yourself by calling attention to your disdain for new products and services.

Do take the interview seriously. Your previous experience and former stature won’t matter much if you interview as if you expect the job to be handed to you. Your interviewer will take his hiring responsibilities seriously. You should, too.

Don’t apologize or act defensively. Avoid phrases like, “Nobody really wants to hire someone my age” at all costs. Employers want to hire people who are confident about themselves and their abilities, regardless of age.

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Resumes and Job Hunt, featured, interviewing, older workers

4 Comments

JDUBDEN on December 9, 2011 9:07 PM | Reply

Age discrimination exists everywhere. Human Resources "professionals" in most companies even allow it to go on. They always say they want influence and a "seat at the table", but they are generally weak and do whatever they are told to do, like a trained seal, and don't do anything about the discrimination - they often times facilitate it or turn a blind eye.

Michael on December 11, 2011 5:38 PM | Reply

Ageism is the last acceptable form of bigotry. While the above tips are mostly common sense against shooting yourself in the foot, you will always be considered a more expensive hire, espeically benefit-wise, than someone under 45.

One of the best things that could happen for older workers is to have universal, single-payer health care, not dependant upon an employer, and not subject to a health insurance industry that stands as a confict of interest, as well as a cost sink and drag on everyone not rich enough to be self-insured.

That is not going to change under the "reformed" health insurance laws.

the housedog on December 12, 2011 8:07 AM | Reply

went on an interview for a big tech company here in seattle where my 25 years of industry experience and professional credentials were questioned by a squirt who could not keep from monitoring his e-mail and iphone during the interview. "ping - pop - ding-dong" attention span of a gnat. at one point he forgot my name and had to look it up. turns out he was interviewing me for the wrong position. perhaps if he had paid attention to his first question that he asked me, "why are you here today?" and actually listened to my answer, he might have saved both of us thirty minutes of pain. the real problem is not one of age these days - it's qualification. who is qualified to do a job in the best way possible. hire the best and the brightest and it should not matter what age they are.

EW on December 20, 2011 8:22 PM | Reply

"Do try to get the initial interview through phone calls and networking"

Do you know how many postings clearly state, "Do not call."? For a person who doesn't have a great number of contacts in this city, this advice plainly sucks. Of COURSE a networked connection will work better, but when employers are getting so hammered with resumes, what do you expect? Job seekers, especially older ones, have very few tools to overcome the bias of age.

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