Over The Hill
There have been many talks that if you are over 40 years old, you risk not getting hired as you are either too highly paid and maybe better to replace with someone younger and cheaper to hire, or that you are too outdated to grasp what is going on.
While there is always deadwood in the companies, with some dudes just cruising while yielding too much power doing plays.
The belief that individuals over 40 may struggle to get hired due to being too highly paid or outdated is flawed for several reasons:
- Experience and Value
Individuals over 40 often bring a wealth of experience, skills, and a strong network that can be highly valuable to employers. You just need that one person with experience to tell you that this is a fraud, a trap to open the door for you to investigate the ongoing deals. That itself is worth hiring a person with much experience.
2. Productivity and Leadership
Age does not necessarily correlate with declining work performance. Physically yes, if you are expecting someone close to 50 years old to outrun a young chap.
Older workers can be just as productive and innovative as their younger counterparts, often bringing leadership qualities and the ability to enhance productivity. Tapping into their experience and brain power can help navigate startups or young business owners to see things that they are otherwise not able to identify as easily.
They may have more experience in handling difficult clients or coworkers and it is best to tap into them to help resolve challenges that a baby-face CEO may not be able to, easily.
3. Salary Requirements
While concerns about salary requirements exist, being able to demonstrate how one's experience justifies the cost can help overcome this challenge.
Expectations need to be set that what you last drew as a senior management executive may not necessarily mean you are getting the same in this new job. Be practical. Negotiate what can be a win-win for all with a mix of salaries, bonuses, commissions, referral fees, team incentives, etc.
If you are not able to rethink what you can offer and are always up at the ivory tower, then no one should hire you as likely you will be a difficult individual to work with, holding onto the past.
4. Career Change
It's never too late to make a career change or learn new skills, even after 40.
Remaining adaptable, willing to learn, and showcasing the ability to add value can open up new opportunities.
Be an expert: https://startupstorm.asia/experts or talk to one to identify where you stand and what you can offer. Doing the same thing over the decades may not mean you are an expert if you stay the same. That is a fact and many only to realize it too late in their career later.
5. Self-Presentation
Underselling oneself can be a significant barrier.
Effectively showcasing achievements, successes, and the value one can bring to an organization is crucial in overcoming age-related biases in hiring processes. Can someone just do a search on you and favorable details about you are all over the social media? Are there articles that you posted that rally up the industry folks?
Start today if you have yet to take only self-branding, and self-presentation. It is important to let others know what you have done for the past decades as you are the best person to tell others about, you.
While ageism exists in the job market, individuals over 40 can combat these challenges by emphasizing their strengths, adaptability, and the value they bring to potential employers. Positioned yourself well as someone approachable and understands that industry well. Otherwise, why will someone hire you when you are just a mediocre player with average performance?
Build your network beyond your industry. No single industry can isolate itself in this hypercompetitive business environment that we are in now. Brand yourself today and not only when you are switching jobs or into a new industry.
Another thing that I always encourage is to start your own business. Save that monthly salary and build something on the side. Use that opportunity to learn about yourself and make more connections to others outside of your industry.
