Positive and Negative Stereotypes of Older Workers

POSITIVE & NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES OF MATURE WORKERS

Knowing what positive attributes mature workers have can help you identify some of your strengths over your competition.  It is also important to be aware of possible negative stereotypes employers may have about mature workers, so you can highlight to the employer how you do not fit this stereotype and how you are progressive and relevant in today’s job market.

 

POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES OF MATURE WORKERS:

•          Work experience

•          Company loyalty & dedication, longevity

•          Punctual

•          Reliable

•          Excellent work attendance

•          Perspective/viewpoints

•          Working during work hours; don’t bring personal lives to work via texting, Facebook

•          Take jobs seriously

•          Good interpersonal and communication skills

•          Ability to work as a team

•          Enthusiasm

•          Perseverance

•          Integrity

•          Avoid drama and gossip

•          Appropriate use of social media – don’t over-share

•          Manners

•          Don’t have the responsibility of young children

•          No sense of entitlement

•          Goal-driven (and willing to work for them)

•          Humble – not "know-it-alls"

•          Resourceful

•          Team players

•          Initiative

•          Sensitivity to others' feelings; supportive

•          Interpersonal skills

•          Respect for more-senior positions, supervisors, colleagues

•          Strongly identify with job title

•          Strong work ethic

•          Don't expect instant gratification

•          Professionalism

•          Ambitious

•          Independent

•          Tact and diplomacy

•          Networking skills

•          Problem-solving skills

•          Organized

 

 

NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES EMPLOYERS MAY HAVE ABOUT MATURE WORKERS:

•          Not computer savvy, uncomfortable with technology

•          Not willing to learn new technology

•          Feel they have already paid their dues; not willing to work long hours, unusual shifts

•          May be dissatisfied with entry level work

•          Cost more

•          Will leave when the economy gets better

•          Not open and flexible to new ways of thinking and doing business

•          Not energetic

•          Overqualified – will leave as soon as a better opportunity arises

•          Don't need the money as much as younger workers

•          Low energy

•          Stuck in their ways

•          Going to retire soon

•          Not physically fit

•          Frequently sick

•          Don't fit in to younger culture

•          Going to use a lot of benefits

•          Going to increase health insurance costs

•          Low productivity

•          Too expensive – cannot afford them

•          More qualified than their supervisor

 

Your challenge as mature job seeker is to:

1.  Sell yourself with the positive attributes of older workers.

•          Review the list of positive attributes and highlight those that strongly pertain to you.

•          Think about how you can weave these attributes into your cover letter, resume and interview answers.

•          If you don't get the opportunity to share them at your interview, be sure to add them to your thank you letter.

2.  Dispel the myths that employers may have about older workers. 

•          Try to anticipate what the employer's concerns may be, and show them that you're the exact opposite!

•          At the end of the interview, let them know you know you'd do great at this job, let them know you'd enjoy the position, and ask if they have any concerns about your ability to do the job.

 

 

TIPS FOR MATURE JOB SEEKERS

1.    Email address - don’t use the year of your birth in your email address; don't use grandma or grandpa or any other words that might date you

2.    Don't use resume templates

3.    Choose dates carefully on resume

a.     Don't include the year you graduated from HS

b.    Don't include every job you've ever had – include 10-15 years of experience (or more if you've been in the same job for more than 15 years)

c.     If you want to include experience that's more than 15 years old, you might want to have a bulleted list in a category called "Additional Experience."

4.    Don't emphasize the number of years experience in your summary section

5.    Writing should be clear, concise and achievement-oriented; don't use words you wouldn't use in everyday business conversation – big words don't impress and extreme formality is an indicator of an older worker; avoid clichés

6.    Quantify achievements wherever possible

7.    Add characteristics to your cover letter – how colleagues and supervisors described you

8.    Get written letters of recommendation to include in your applications

9.    Use industry buzzwords that are up-to-date – human resources instead of personnel; logistics instead of shipping and receiving

10.  Know what the stereotypes of mature workers are and present the opposite image