Age is just a number and mine is unlisted because my background and experience are the only things that should really matter.
Ageism is an unfortunate reality in the professional world. Everyone has a responsibility to reduce the systemic barriers that pop up in the workforce as valued folks get older. It’s also important to give people tools to help combat ageism while looking for work.
The latest edition of #GetHired dives into some of those tools.:
- Focusing on how your experience can help potential employers solve their problems.
- Staying up-to-date on industry trends, technologies, and best practices.
- Tailoring your work history to present a cohesive career story to potential employers.
While being interviewed at a prestigious organization overseas, the big boss told me they liked my background and experience and that I spoke a couple of languages fluently. They went on to explain that they really wanted to hire me but could not offer me a position because the government would not issue a foreign national an expert visa for anyone over 40.
I immediately told them it was my opinion that no one is truly an expert at anything in their 30s and proceeded to walk away. Their loss and too bad for them because whenever I start a new gig my personal resolve is to take this job and love it.