A reader writes:

I am new to the job market, and am a bit older than most of my competition.  I feel that at times I have been discriminated against because of my age.  I have lots more experience and many advantages and skills to bring to the table that my younger counterparts don’t, but don’t know how to overcome the perception of the hiring managers.  What do you suggest I do?

My reply:

As you say, you have “more experience and many advantages and skills to bring to the table,” and that is exactly how you want to present yourself.   By confidently presenting the benefits you bring to the employer, many of which are because you are a seasoned worker, you will be able to turn the tables from the negative stereotype of age to the positive benefits.

To overcome the negative stereotype, there are a few things that older workers must be cognizant of.  For instance, you must keep your computer skills sharp, keep up with the latest technology and trends, and let the hiring manager see that you have the same energy and passion for the job as the younger candidates.  One way to demonstrate that you stay current is to establish a strong LinkedIn profile with recommendations and at least 50 connections?  You might want to consider participating in other social media sites as well, such as Facebook, Twitter, and others?

Additionally, take an objective look at yourself in the mirror.  Is your appearance making you look older than you are?  A well-groomed appearance is important for everyone but especially for the older worker.  A good haircut/hairstyle, a nice suit (in style), polished shoes, and good posture can give a person an air of distinction, which combined with a confident (not arrogant) attitude can give the perception of knowledge, capability, and dependability.

Older workers are some of the best employees.  Although discrimination does exist, it isn’t as prevalent as some may think.  The law of attraction tells us that by thinking about something we don’t want, we can inadvertently attract it.  Substitute concerns about discrimination with thoughts about the immense benefits you have to offer the employer and how fortunate they will be to have you.  Polish up your marketing campaign with a strong, clear brand.  Rev up your energy and enthusiasm, and you will land that perfect job.  Best of luck!

Join me for an in-depth discussion of personal branding, tomorrow, Thursday, March 4, when I will host a FREE Teleseminar, entitled “Get Hired Now!  The Power of Personal Branding.”  Sign-up at http://tinyurl.com/ygwyx3o

Imagine you walk into your local Walmart Supercenter tomorrow afternoon and the greeter is wearing a tuxedo and offers you a glass of wine.  As you gaze into the store, you see a large, carpeted shoe department with neatly displayed designer shoes on teak wood display cabinets, rows of chintz upholstered chairs, and salesmen dressed in suits and ties.  At this point, no doubt, you think you have entered the Twilight Zone.  Most likely, you are also disappointed because you came looking for low prices, not designer apparel.

That is the importance of brand.  We associate specific characteristics with a brand and that sets our expectations.  There is great comfort in knowing what to expect.  The unknown or uncertain is disconcerting and uncomfortable.  When a hiring manager is evaluating candidates for a new hire, she will choose the person she believes will meet her expectations for the job.  That is where your personal brand comes into play.

It is imperative that you choose your brand because if you don’t, others will choose it for you.  You want to ensure that your personal brand is authentically you.  For example, if public speaking is your greatest fear and you have no desire to overcome it, don’t try to sell yourself as someone with a strength for oral presentations.  However, if there is a job for a project manager and you love to bring in projects on time and under budget, identify the special talent you have for your success and promote that as your brand, which will quickly establish you as a good fit.

What is your current brand?  What you are known for?  How would your coworkers describe you?  For what type of projects, issues, or challenges are you the go-to person?  What talents led to your greatest accomplishments? Are you happy with your current brand or would you like to change it to something else?  Most important, are you effectively marketing yourself under your chosen brand?

To successfully land your dream job, you will have to convince the employer that you are the right person for the job.  You accomplish this by setting expectations with a consistent and recurring representation of your personal brand in your résumé, your cover letter, your interviews, your social media profiles, and with your references.  Have you established a consistent theme that makes you an easy match for a hiring manger?  If not, I encourage you to identify your personal brand, rewrite your promotional materials, and revise your answers to interview questions.  Then, get prepared for a much more successful job search.

Join me for a more in-depth discussion of personal branding on Thursday, March 4, when I will host a FREE Teleseminar, entitled “Get Hired Now!  The Power of Personal Branding.”  Sign-up at http://tinyurl.com/ygwyx3o

A reader writes:

I am an experienced professional and have more than 20 years in the corporate arena.  I have been applying for some positions lately that I am overqualified for but am willing to consider in order to get in with a solid company that presents long term opportunities. How do I sell the management on the fact that it is a good business decision to bring in someone like me?

My reply:

It always concerns me when someone starts talking about taking a job for which they are overqualified.  I hope you will do some serious soul searching before you take that step because it may not be necessary.  Ask yourself how solid the company really is and how long those long-term opportunities are going to take to present themselves.  Can you be satisfied in that position for several years if necessary?  Is this a step in the right direction for your career or is it a step backwards that is going to hurt you in the long run.  Is it in the company’s best interest to hire you considering you are overqualified?  It is risky for a company to hire someone who is overqualified and may be bored, unhappy, and looking to leave as soon as a better opportunity (e.g., more money, more challenge, better fit) comes along.  The upside is that overqualified employees can do an excellent job.  If you can honestly list the benefits to the company of bringing you in and if you can sincerely and enthusiastically provide those benefits, then you will have what you need to sell it to management.  Best of luck!

Other thoughts, suggestions, stories?