As damaging as the 4 Employer Ageism Myths, are the negative beliefs of the Mature that result from what most employers believe.
Here are 7 of those, and it’s very likely there are more…
Candidate Ageism Myth 1 – I’m too old to be hired somewhere new
Fact: Fear is what stops us all – just focus on your strengths, not what you’re lacking.
Candidate Ageism Myth 2 – Major career change – it’s too late!
Fact: You have plenty of time if you remain nimble and never stop learning. Plus the big one: Let them know you’re prepared to start as an intern – nothing says more about why you’ll succeed because you want a career you’re passionate about.
Candidate Ageism Myth 3 – Networking is the only way to get a job
Fact: Yes, it is a major part of your job search, but not the only method.
Candidate Ageism Myth 4 – I’ll be seen as less productive than Millennials
Fact: US and Australian HR Association research proves zero correlation between ageing and declining productivity – Plus we know that with the huge staff turnover of the 20 to 29s, our
productivity is actually much higher.
Candidate Ageism Myth 5 – Employers won’t pay what I’m earning now
Fact: salary is meaningless out of context – it depends on your experience, the demand for your skills and how good you are at your job.
Candidate Ageism Myth 6 – I won’t be happy in a job with less responsibility
Fact: many of the mature want more work life balance and less responsibility due to changing
circumstances (e.g. ageing parents, less money needs etc).
Candidate Ageism Myth 7 – I don’t want to be supervised by someone younger than my kids!
Fact: When you feel valued for your contributions, it doesn’t matter how old they are (Don’t be a reverse ageist!).
Finding a new job may feel like mission impossible, but it’s time to wipe the job search misconceptions from your brain.
(Our thanks to Entrepreneurfact for some of the content in this Post)
The goal of the Stable and Wise Community…
To unite unprejudiced employers with Mature, stable and motivated employees
“Age is just a number, a number and no more. The experience, maturity, wisdom an older person brings into an organisation is immense and can never be replicated.” Jacqueline Perera on LinkedIn.
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