Workplace Marketability is Age-Neutral

Yesterday’s Baby-Boomer (today’s mature worker) may be facing for the first time a bias towards younger workers. Age discrimination, right? Only if you can prove it. The question is ‘what good would it do you if you did?’ … A job with that organization? … NOT! Here’s the deal: Put your energy into developing your unique value-mix of talent, experience, skills, core competencies, etc., you know – your Branding - to ultimately illustrate your value and benefit to the organization. “The Key for the mature professional conducting a job search” according to Randolph L. Stevens, Founder and President of R.L. Stevens & Associates, a 28-year full service career firm, “is authenticating relevancy, fit and adaptability; and when you can do that better than the next person, you get hired.”

Workplace marketability is almost always age-neutral. If the mature worker does not successfully illustrate the right message or demonstrate the right value proposition, he or she may feel a bias; nonetheless, it’s a bias towards the more relevant, better fitting, most adaptable candidate, not necessarily a bias against age. Prove your value and benefit and you’ll be hired.

If you are a baby boomer seeking a career change, role transition or are switching industries or know someone who is, here are 10 tips that should help.

1. Use your marketing letters and documentation to show employers a history of growth in and dedication to professional development.
2. Prove your continued intellectual vitality: Be prepared to outline completion of recent coursework, certifications, programs and other skill enhancements relevant to today’s business challenges and needs.
3. Show how you stay on top of technology trends.
4. Develop a “Webfolio” to show cutting-edge market awareness.
5. Be knowledgeable on the use of the Internet and Windows-based programs.
6. Eliminate everything that makes you appear older and possible out-of-step: Update your physical appearance, wardrobe and communications skills.
7. Demonstrate your marketplace knowledge i.e. industry changes and trends
8. Be knowledgeable of the day-to-day challenges (problems, concerns & opportunities) employers face; be able to draw a connection between such challenges and you as a solution-provider.
9. Demonstrate your adaptability and flexibility regarding hours and compensation: Consider proposing alternatives i.e. project work, contract work or consulting.
10. Entertain the idea of working part-time for multiple employers rather than just one. (Demonstrated value could lead to permanent positions)

The REAL Deal: Employers weed-out job candidates whose skills are out-dated or who exhibit low energy or little flexibility ... or any combination of these. Some may call it ‘age discrimination'. I call it fielding candidates for the most relevant marketability. Follow these 10 simple tips and in no time, you will see that there is no lack of opportunity for the mature worker.

RT - a mature worker