According to statistics from job search websites, about forty percent of all unemployed people in our country are over forty-five years old. Age discrimination in hiring is prohibited by law, but in practice it is common. We tell you what scares employers in employees over forty-five, how to position yourself in the labor market, and what hinders most candidates of mature age.
The challenges of the labour market for candidates over 45
2013 established an official ban on indicating the desired age of the applicant in vacancies. Discrimination is prohibited by the Labor Code, but a large number of specialists encounter it. Internal requirements of each employer may not include age restrictions, but be related to any other manifestations. This is not becoming an exclusively Russian problem – HR-s in the USA and Great Britain also give preference to candidates of their own age.
Significant changes in the demographic situation in telemarketing data our country should change the situation in favor of workers – there are fewer and fewer young employees, and more and more pensioners looking for work. About ten years ago, it seemed impossible to find a job after forty, today it is possible, albeit with difficulty, for job seekers over fifty.
The main reason why job seekers have
problems after a certain age is the stereotypes common among employers.
Next, employers cite the experience of applicants of this age – oddly enough, even this can be a reason for refusal. The fact is that, according to many employers, retraining an experienced employee is much more difficult than training a young specialist. In addition, it is believed that employees of this age have great difficulty adapting to the company’s rules.
Suspicions are also provoked by traditional career growth schemes in our country, which practically do not allow for horizontal development. Due to the peculiarities of the labor market in Russia, the opinion is formed that by the age of 45 a person should already have a career, and starting and developing in the period from forty-five and the following twenty years until retirement is unlikely.
A young team in the company is another reason to be wary of applicants over forty-five. There is an opinion that such candidates will have a hard time fitting into the staff, and a young manager will not represent sufficient authority for them.
Sometimes, the applicants themselves create benefits of a well-developed b2b buyer persona unjustified difficulties. Most of them do not agree to take even slightly less qualified positions than those they once had, arguing that their age is the reason. The status that comes with a specific position is very important to them. Young specialists do not attach so much importance to what is written in their work record
Rules for finding a job after 45 years
Despite all the difficulties, finding a job after 45 is possible. If the applicant demonstrates an active life position and readiness to reveal his potential, then all doors will be open to him. In this case, these are not empty phrases of inexperienced HR-s, dating data this is a real need to destroy established stereotypes in order to gain the right to consider on an equal basis with other candidates. Intractable, passive, not ready to work overtime – such a portrait is formed by the employer even before meeting with the candidate.
Main rules for a candidate over 45 years old
First of all, remember the main advantages of candidates of your age: life and professional experience, responsibility, reliability, conscious motivation.
- Try to expand your business contacts, and work on them in advance. A good way to maintain connections in the right area would be to communicate with colleagues from previous places of work, get acquainted with HR. The more connections, the easier. There is nothing wrong with this, you do not necessarily have to get a job through connections, but quickly finding out about open vacancies is convenient.
- Don’t focus on one area. There is always an opportunity to retrain, regardless of age. Be prepared to learn – and don’t be afraid of it.
- Don’t think of a side job as an unworthy pastime – treat it as a way to monetize your downtime. In addition, any field will bring you new contacts – some of them may be very useful.
- If you don’t have a sudden shortage of money, take part in volunteer projects and unpaid internships; this will bring you experience, new skills, connections, and a line on your resume.
- Try to understand what the current generation lives by – in particular, study technological innovations. You should not be afraid of objects, programs and applications that have become commonplace for young people.
- Don’t hesitate to contact a professional consultant – he will be able to tell you about completely non-obvious details.
Common Job Search Mistakes
- Be passive during the job search, interview, and probationary period.
- Start your answer to the interviewer by describing how difficult it is to find a job at your age.
- Starting cover letters with, “I realize that at 48 years old I have no hope of getting hired at your company, but maybe you could do me a favor and take a look at my resume.”
- Don’t look for a job because you’re sure you’ll start your own business soon. This happens, but it’s extremely rare – if you haven’t thought about entrepreneurship before you’re forty-five, it’s unlikely to work out later.
- Accept any offer because you are desperate. Your experience is a great opportunity to identify companies that are not worth wasting your time on.
How to position yourself in the labor market
Nevertheless, you can get a job anywhere if you have the necessary skills and know how to position yourself correctly.
Consider age as an advantage
If the job requires experience, not just enthusiasm, you are several steps above young professionals. The exception is typical office managers, for whom experience plays almost no role. But among engineers or production managers, your years will only be a plus.
If possible, collect recommendations from your colleagues from previous places of work – professional connections in the field It may seem that it is easier to get them, but practice shows that these are the vacancies that young people are looking for. Also check the average market salaries in your specialty and set a minimum in your resume slightly above the market.
Psychological advice for candidates
- On your way to interviews, think about your professional skills, not your age. Don’t start an interview by apologizing for your age. Be confident – pessimistic candidates will only confirm one of the stereotypes.Show your expertise, but be tactful.
- Goal-oriented, learning ability, flexibility are qualities that all employers look for in their candidates. Show that you meet all these characteristics.
- Don’t recount all of your professional experience, focus on those elements that are important to a particular company.
- With a diverse background, you have the opportunity to create multiple resumes – use this to expand your capabilities.
It is more difficult to find a job after reaching a certain age, there is no point in denying this fact. There is no need to despair – a good employer will first of all look at the candidate’s practical skills.