Share Now: What Not to Say to Older Co-Workers

4 Ageist Phrases to Quit Saying at The Office

from U.S. News & World Report

(Editor's Note) As people delay retirement, It is becoming more important to bridge the gap between generations at the workplace. In this article in U.S.News and World Report, Susannah Snider discusses how thoughtless comments made by co-workers can be ageist and hurtful. Although the Age Discrimination in Employment Act is in place to protect older workers, it cannot prevent an occasional dig by a younger colleague when it comes to technical skills or trends.Ageist comments make people feel devalued,  they lose confidence, and work performance can be affected.

The author identifies 4 common phrases that should be avoided:

1. "You're overqualified." This statement, typically lobbed at job applicants, "is almost always code for 'You're too old,'" says Joanna Lahey, associate professor at Texas A&M University and expert on age discrimination and the relationship between age and labor market outcomes...
2. "Don't worry, you don't need to take that computer training class." Employees should avoid the assumption that older workers are technological dinosaurs who can't learn new skills.
Seasoned employees are assumed to be "adverse to change, that they won't take on new technologies," says Jessica Kriegel, author of "Unfairly Labeled: How Your Workplace Can Benefit From Ditching Generational Stereotypes." "But it's often older workers who are implementing the changes to the technology."

Read complete article here.

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Older Workers-New Technology: YES THEY CAN

NEW Survey Debunks OLD Stereotype

For years, a stereotype has been fostered by the media, and now social media, that older people are just not that savvy when it comes to new technology. 

This false perception contributes to age discrimination that affects the older job seeker.

Two companies,  DROPBOX and Ipsos Mori, have surveyed more than 4,000 information workers in the U.S. and Europe about their use of technology in the workplace. 

The survey has revealed that workers aged 55+ are actually less stressed using technology in the workplace than their younger peers. The results also showed that older workers are actually BETTER at using multiple devices than their younger peers - only 13% of respondents aged 55+  reported having trouble working with multiple devices compared to 37% of 18-to-34-year olds.

If you are an older job seeker, don't PERPETUATE the stereotype of the obsolete older worker. Be sure to keep your skills AND resume up-to-date. Create your killer resume HERE.

If you haven't been in the job market lately, it might not be your job skills holding you back but your JOB HUNTING skills. CLICK HERE for a free assessment.

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NYT: Lessons on Aging Well From a 105-year Old

Joel Saget/Agence-France Press-Getty Images

Editor's Note: On January 4, 2017, Robert Marchand set a new World's Record by cycling more than 14 miles around a track in an hour - in the 105 year-plus category! This was not Mr. Marchand's first record. He had already set a world's record for the 100+ category 3 years prior when he came to the attention of a French professor of exercise science. She had a theory (untested) that if older athletes actually exercised more, they could increase their levels of fitness. Mr. Marchand agreed to participate in the study which is discussed in a recent article in The New York Times.

Mr. Marchand followed this program for two years. Then he attempted to best his own one-hour track record.
First, however, Dr. Billat and her colleagues remeasured all of the physiological markers they had tested two years before.
Mr. Marchand's VO2 Max (an accepted scientific indicator of fitness) was now about 13 percent higher than it had been before, she found, and comparable to the aerobic capacity of a healthy, average 50-year-old. He also had added to his pedaling power, increasing that measure by nearly 40 percent.
Unsurprisingly, his cycling performance subsequently also improved considerably. During his ensuing world record attempt, he pedaled for almost 17 miles, about three miles farther than he had covered during his first record-setting ride.

Read the complete article here.

Learn the "49 Benefits of Hiring an Older Worker" Here

Not a Good "Cultural Fit?"

"10 Microaggressions Older People Will Recognize Immediately" From the Huffington Post

Editor's Note: There are subtle things younger people say and do that demean older people every day. TV ads are glutted with culturally and technically out-of-touch older people. If you're over 40 (yes, it starts young), and looking for a new job or making a career change, these negative stereotypes can create barriers and close off opportunities.This is age discrimination:

Saying an older job applicant wouldn’t be a good “cultural fit.”
What exactly is a good cultural fit anyway? If most of the office is comprised of people who don’t have family obligations to rush home to, does that mean no one can? We’d remind you that there was a time when a black or Latino hire wouldn’t have been a good cultural fit because they weren’t allowed to join the local country club to play golf. But civil rights laws presumably changed all that and an employer today wouldn’t dream of applying this standard to a racial or ethnic group. 
Isn’t having age diversity an equally good thing? People of different ages bring different perspectives to a job. By 2020, 35 percent of the population will be age 50 or older. Who better to suggest products and services to bring to market than those who understand the needs of 35 percent of the population best? Doesn’t that make more sense than worrying if the new hire will participate in Karaoke night with the office crowd? 

Click Here to Read Complete Article.

How you can BEAT AGE DISCRIMINATION

• Keep Your Job Skills Up-to-Date: Take your personal job hunting skills assessment test. FREE. Click Here.
• “5 Simple Tips to Beat Age Discrimination During a Job Search." FREE. Click Here.
• Find out the 49 Benefits To Hiring An Older Skilled Worker. FREE. Click Here.

The Weight of Unemployment

Lose Your Job...Get Fat 

(Editor's notes) Alicia Adamczyk's article in MONEY discusses the findings of a Health and Retirement Study of full and part-time workers ages 50-60. The participants were of average weight and lost their jobs before they became eligible for Social Security. The research revealed a weight gain during unemployment that was not incurred by their employed counterparts.

So now, in addition to the loss of income, less in retirement savings, and increased stress and anxiety, this paper indicates that not working before retirement can also make you fat.

The paper points specifically to the stress as a reason for the weight gain. “The stress of displacement from a business closure may be further compounded if individuals have a harder time finding reemployment and/or are not yet eligible for retirement benefits,” it reads. And those without spouses or much in the way of discretionary funds are more likely to feel the stress.

Read entire article here

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Over 50, Female and Jobless, Even as Others Return to Work

Editors Note: Patricia Cohen, New York Times Writer, chronicles the downward spiral of women job hunters in the last decade from findings revealed in a new study on long-term unemployment from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Ten years ago, less than 25% of the unemployed women remained out of work for more than 6 months.

From 2012-2013, the unemployed women comprised 50% of the long-term unemployment rate. Ms. Cohen details the plight of Chettie Mcafee who was laid off from her job after 30 years. She is still looking for a job.

...“I’ve been applying and applying and applying,” said McAfee, who has relied on her savings and family to get by as she fights off attempts to foreclose on her home. At interviews, she said, “They ask, ‘Why has it been so long?’”

At 5 percent, the jobless rate may be close to what economists consider full employment, but that headline figure doesn’t capture the challenges still facing millions of Americans who have yet to regain their footing in the workplace....

McAfee is part of a group that has found the post-recession landscape particularly difficult to navigate: women over 50.

Read more here: NYT: Women Over 50

CLICK HERE to Learn 49 Benefits to Hiring an Older Skilled Worker

49 Benefits of Hiring an Older Worker

Thank You for Your Support - Here is a Gift for You!

It has been said, “the older you get the wiser you are." It has also been said, “that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks." These adages are nice to repeat, but do any of them really hold true when it comes to older skilled workers who are looking for a new career?

Over the last few years, I have read thousands of comments, questions, and expletives from older workers. Some of you are clearly professing your superior attributes, while others are complaining of their unfair treatment by job recruiters.

Can both be right in their assessments? Perhaps. But one guiding principle at Interns Over 40 has been to help older skilled workers achieve their own career greatness.

In doing so it is necessary to dispel myths while reinforcing the benefits that make older workers a great catch in a sometimes difficult job market.

I want to thank all of our faithful audience of Job Seekers, Career Coaches, and Recruiters who live this experience every day and prepare yourself, or others, for the next career assignment. 

I hope this list of “49 Benefits To Hiring An Older Skilled Worker” becomes a valuable part of your toolbox as you continue to pursue your ideal career. Share it, Print it and Keep it nearby as a refresher.

With our working lives expanding into our 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, perhaps this list will, in a small way help you feel confident about the depth and value of your work and life experience. Remember “soon or later everyone will get older or …..”.  "Wild in the Streets".

Start Using The "49 Benefits Of Hiring An Older Worker" Now.

Flash: US has hit the largest number of older workers ever!

‘I’ll Never Retire’: Americans Break Record for Working Past 65

According to the latest data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 20% of all Americans 65+ are now employed. "I'll Never Retire," an article in Bloomberg.com, cites several different studies and explanations for the upsurge in older workers. Among the reasons people are working longer:

• They need the money.
• They like their jobs.
• Skilled, experienced workers have become more valuable to employers.
• Older Americans are healthier and living longer.

"It has become increasingly normal to be over 65 and working, as more and more boomers reach retirement age, said Torsten Sløk, chief international economist at Deutsche Bank. Now that one in five older Americans has a job, he says, “I would think this just continues to move higher.”

Read the complete article here.

Do you know "The 49 Benefits of Hiring an Older Worker?" Click HERE for your copy.

Age Bias: Do Hiring Managers Care That Federal Laws Prohibit Age Discrimination When Hiring?

Free Webinar- : “5 Tips to Battle Ageism” Register Here

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Many people struggle with the definition of "age discrimination in the workplace." Although, ageism can affect workers at all stages of their lives, there are specific laws intended to protect 40 plus year old job seekers from age discrimination.  

But do hiring managers really pay any attention to laws regarding age discrimination? What are your thoughts and comments? 

This information is provided by the The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.(Editor's note).

Frequently Asked Questions
Federal Laws Prohibiting Job Discrimination 
Federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Laws

What Are the Federal Laws Prohibiting Job Discrimination?


    * Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin;
    * the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA), which protects men and women who perform substantially equal work in the same establishment from sex-based wage discrimination;
    * the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), which protects individuals who are 40 years of age or older;
    * Title I and Title V of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (ADA), which prohibit employment discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in the private sector, and in state and local governments;
    * Sections 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities who work in the federal government;
    * Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA), which prohibits employment discrimination based on genetic information about an applicant, employee, or former employee; and     
   * the Civil Rights Act of 1991, which, among other things, provides monetary damages in cases of intentional employment discrimination.


The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces all of these laws. EEOC also provides oversight and coordination of all federal equal employment opportunity regulations, practices, and policies.

Other federal laws, not enforced by EEOC, also prohibit discrimination and reprisal against federal employees and applicants. The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA) contains a number of prohibitions, known as prohibited personnel practices, which are designed to promote overall fairness in federal personnel actions. 5 U.S.C. 2302. The CSRA prohibits any employee who has authority to take certain personnel actions from discriminating for or against employees or applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age or disability. 


It also provides that certain personnel actions can not be based on attributes or conduct that do not adversely affect employee performance, such as marital status and political affiliation. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has interpreted the prohibition of discrimination based on conduct to include discrimination based on sexual orientation. The CSRA also prohibits reprisal against federal employees or applicants for whistle-blowing, or for exercising an appeal, complaint, or grievance right. The CSRA is enforced by both the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).

Additional information about the enforcement of the CSRA may be found on the OPM website from OSC at (202) 653-7188 and from MSPB at (202) 653-6772.

Free Webinar: “5 Tips to Battle Ageism”Register Here>>>>>>>

Sometimes older job seekers have to overcompensate by just being more prepared for their Next Interview. Are you?

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13 Illegal Interview Questions: Do You Know What To Do?

Most Job Seekers have no idea what an Illegal Interview question sounds like. Here is a list of 13 questions that a job interviewer should not be asking you. Remember the purpose of an interview is to get the job. So it is important that you understand how to answer even inappropriate interview questions.(Editor's Notes)

13 Sample Illegal and Legal Interview Questions: (and a few answers-see below)

1. Age

Inappropriate:

• How old are you?
• What year were you born?
• When did you graduate from high school?

Appropriate:

• Before hiring, asking if you are over the minimum age for the hours or working conditions.
• After hiring, verifying same with a birth certificate or other ID, and asking age on insurance forms.

2.Citizenship

Inappropriate:

• Are you a citizen of the US?
• Are your parents or spouse citizens of the US?
• On what dates did you , your parents or your spouse acquire US Citizenship?
• Are you, your parents or your spouse naturalized or native-born US citizens?

Appropriate:

• If you are not a US citizen, do you have the legal right to remain permanently in the US?
• What is your visa status (if no to the previous question).
• Are you able to provide proof of employment eligibility upon hire?

____________________________________________________

3.Criminal Record

Inappropriate:

• Have you ever been arrested?
• Have you ever spent a night in jail?

Appropriate:

• Have you ever been convicted of a crime?

_________________________________________________

4.Disability

Inappropriate:

• Do you have any disabilities?
• What's your medical history?
• How does your condition affect your abilities?

Appropriate:

• Can you perform the specific duties of the job.
• After hiring, ask about medical history on insurance forms.

_________________________________________________

5.Family

Inappropriate:

• Questions concerning spouse, or spouse's employment, salary, arrangements, or dependents.
• What kind of child care arrangements have you made?
• How will your spouse feel about the amount of time you will be traveling if you get this job?

Appropriate:

• Can you work overtime?
• Is there any reason you can't start at 7:30am?
• Whether an applicant can meet specified work schedules or has activities or commitments that may prevent him or her from meeting attendance requirements.

__________________________________________________
6.Marital Status

Inappropriate:

• Are you married, divorced, separated, engaged, widowed, etc?
• Is this your maiden or married name?
• What is the name of your relative/spouse/children?
• Do you live with your parents?

Appropriate:

• After hiring, marital status on tax and insurance forms.

_________________________________________________

7.Military

Inappropriate:

• What type or condition is your military discharge?
• Can you supply your discharge papers?
• What is your experience in other than US armed forces?

Appropriate:

• Describe the relevant work experience as it relates to this position that you acquired from a US armed forces.

__________________________________________________

8.National Origin

Inappropriate:

• What is your nationality?
• Where were you born?
• Where are your parents from?
• What's your heritage?
• What is your mother tongue?
• How did you acquire the ability to speak, read or write a foreign language?
• How did you acquire familiarity with a foreign country?
• What language is spoken in your home?

Appropriate:

• Verifying legal U.S. residence or work visa status.
• What languages do you speak, read or write fluently?

_________________________________________________

9.Parental Status

Inappropriate:

• How many kids do you have?
• Do you plan to have children?
• How old are your children?
• Are you pregnant?

Appropriate:

• After hiring, asking for dependent information on tax and insurance forms.

_________________________________________________

10.Race or Skin Color

Inappropriate:

• What race are you?
• Are you a member of a minority group?

Appropriate:

• None

_________________________________________________

11.Religion or Creed

Inappropriate:

• What is your religious affiliation?
• Which religious holidays will you be taking off from work?
• Do you attend church regularly?

Appropriate:

• Can you work on Saturdays?

_________________________________________________

12.Residence

Inappropriate:

• Do you own or rent your home?
• Do you live in town?
• With whom do you live?

Appropriate:

• Inquiries about the address to facilitate contact with the applicant.
• Will you be able to start work at 8:00am?

__________________________________________________

13.Sex

Inappropriate:

• Do you wish to be addressed as Mr., Mrs., Miss, or Ms.?
• What are your plans to have children in the future?

Appropriate:

None

Source:University of Chicago 
_________________________________________

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Looking for Some Answers On How To Deal With This Age Bias Questions
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Learn how to Ace your next Job Interview
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8 Realities That Affect Older Job Seekers.

Even if the chants of  "We are the 99%" has diminished from last year many unemployed/underemployed are still pondering what the core issues are for Older Workers in today's job market. 

Following are 8 Realities That Affect An Older Job Seeker. What can you add to this list?

1) A basic lack of available jobs.

2) A mismatch of current work skills to available jobs.

3) A bias against hiring and keeping older workers.

4) Continued movement of job's to the lowest cost provider including India, Asia and Eastern Europe.

5) A lack of willingness for older workers to take jobs that may be significantly less in pay and status then their previous positions.

6) The burden of a financially leveraged legacy with mortgages, car payments, credit cards and college tuition's. 

7) A lack of federal, state and local political will and/or agreement to help working class people to regain their footing including: freeing up capital for new businesses development,  publicly financed job creation and appropriate skills training.

8) The increased concentration of wealth with the top 1% resulting in a less broad distribution of wealth that could stimulate local businesses.

Let me know what your thoughts, reactions and potential solutions are?

Answer Tough Interviewer Questions so you can Ace it!

From The Washington Post: The Recovery Puzzle- Must Read.

This article explores the many nuances involved in hiring and how you, the job seeker, can improve your odds by improving your Interview Skills.

The recovery puzzle: A new factory in Ohio struggles to match jobs to job-seekers. (editors notes)

"Bernie Coyle wants to hire people. In this hopeful moment in the recuperating American economy, he wants to give 40 new employees health insurance, dental insurance, good wages and a 401(k) plan with a company match, and then he wants to bring them to Fort Recovery, Ohio, where, on June 1, he is scheduled to open a new plant.

These 40 people will run machinery dedicated to the breaking of eggs, whose liquids will then be shipped to commercial bakeries throughout the country. One hundred and forty-four thousand eggs each hour. One-point-three million eggs a day." CLICK HERE for full article.

10 Reasons To Hire Older Workers

1.) Older workers have lower absenteeism rates than younger employees.

2.) Older workers have lower turnover rates than younger employees.

3.) Older employees are generally more loyal employees.

4.) Older employees have less job injuries than younger employees.

5.) Older employees are less likely to steal from your company.

6.) Older employees bring a wealth of experience with them to work.

7.) Older employees generally have a strong work ethic.

8.) Older workers generally find satisfaction with and enjoy their work.

9.) Older workers want to work, at least part-time, even after they retire.

10.) You will one day be an older worker.

What's your opinion on this? Do you agree with the 10 reasons to hire older workers? Are the myths true in any nature?

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8 Ways To Age Proof Your Resume

8 Ways to Age Proof Your Resume:

Preparing a resume that emphasizes your value is a good first step to preparing for your job search. Here are eight ways to age-proof your resume:

1. Don’t provide your complete work history: This is the number one mistake job seekers make. If it’s before 1990, employers probably don’t care. Hiring managers are most interested in what you did recently, so concentrate on your recent career. If you feel compelled to delve into earlier experiences, create a section called “Early Career” and provide just the highlights and no dates.

2. Watch your language: Avoid age-revealing statements such as “35 years of experience” or age-defining clichés such as “seasoned professional.”

3. Stick to a “combination” resume style, leading with a strong “Career Summary” section: You may have been advised to mask your years of experience with a functional resume format. But employers do not like to see functional resumes because they are often used by candidates who are trying to hide something. You don’t want employers reading your resume and searching for a possible problem. Unless your work history is extremely spotty or you are completely changing careers, stick to a chronological format.

4. Show that you’re current with technology and industry trends: Are you proficient with Wang or an expert at BASIC programming? While these programs were once cutting-edge, they have been replaced with new technology. Show that you’ve kept up with the times by removing antiquated equipment, programs, and tools, and highlight your knowledge of modern technology.

5. Consider dropping dates of education: This is a tough call, because hiring managers who want to know a person’s age will go right to the “Education” section and do the math. If your education occurred in the 1970s or earlier, it might be in your best interest to eliminate graduation dates.

6. Keep your school names updated: If you graduated from a school that has since changed its name, include the new name. If you are concerned about discrepancies in case an employer asks to see a transcript, write the former name of the school in parentheses.

7. Show that you’ve been continually learning or taking on new roles: The key is to demonstrate that your skills are fresh and in demand. It is important that you show that you are flexible and willing to adapt to organizational changes.

8. Quantify and expand on your achievements: As a professional with a long work history, this is your chance to accentuate the positive. You have what younger workers may lack — years of practical experience. Provide examples of how your performance contributed to your employers’ goals, mission, and bottom-line results.

Click Here to READ the FULL ARTICLE
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Source:Resume Power.com
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Laid-off Older Workers Face Biases In Job Search

If your over 40 and looking for a job this is a must read article from MSNBC.
"Laid-off older workers face biases in job search.
There are ways to craft a resume and image to blunt its effects, experts say.


After a few months of searching for a job, 53-year-old Marc Karell decided to open his own firm out of his home in Mamaroneck, N.Y.
As he spoke to other laid-off employees of the same consulting firm, he found they had something in common: They were all older staffers.


With unemployment edging toward 10 percent and companies going through several rounds of layoffs, many are now cutting from the top ranks. More workers aged 50 and older are job-searching in the middle of a recession. 


Recruiters say experience is still valued, but the image of the older job seeker as overqualified and overpriced is still a hurdle to overcome.

A study sponsored by the AARP found the same resumes got more calls for interviews if they appeared to come from a 32-year-old than from a 57-year-old.

That was eight years ago, but "we believe in recessions things get worse," said Marc Bendick, an economist with Bendick & Egan Economic Consultants in Washington, D.C. who did the research.

A second experiment sent the resumes with cover letters touting either qualities associated with older people, or those associated with younger people. The older workers still got fewer interviews, but those among them who touted younger qualities — defined as creativity, energy or technological skills, among other things — did better."

For rest of story go to lSource: MSNBC

Learn More: Free 18 Networking Tips For Older Skilled Job Seekers
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