Employers often avoid hiring older workers due to concerns that they may not be as open-minded, creative, flexible, innovative, collaborative and coachable as younger employees. You can counter ageism whether you're looking for your next job, or if you're already employed. These are common myths about older workers that you can correct.
Employers worry about older workers not being open-minded.
Employers worry about older workers. Some are unfounded while others are grounded in reality. It's easy to make assumptions and generalize. Before you let your negative perceptions get the better of you, it is essential to understand the facts.
Employers are seeking open-minded and cooperative employees. Research has shown that employees with these characteristics are more likely to succeed in their job. They are also less likely to be fired. While this might sound obvious, age discrimination is a very real problem in our country.
Employers' fears about older workers stem from the fact that they might be less able to adapt to the pace and style of work in modern workplaces. There are ways to dispel this myth and show employers older workers are open to learning and adapting to their workplace.
How to combat the ageism of job searching
Many older workers find that ageism can be a problem, making it difficult for them to find the right job. Statistics show that 2/3 of all workers aged 45-74 years have experienced ageism. Although many people believe that ageism is an issue that affects older workers only, it can occur at any age. Ageism is a form of discrimination that excludes older workers from certain positions and salaries. You can combat ageism while job hunting by using a variety of strategies.
Understanding ageism and how it impacts your job search is the first step to combat it. Many firms make arbitrary assumptions about your age and experience, which can make your job application or interview look unappealing. You can avoid this by keeping your age under control, avoiding age-related mistakes and not answering illegal questions.
There are many misconceptions about older workers
The stigma associated with older workers is well-known. However, it is not true. Many stereotypes are wrong. Older workers are still capable of learning new skills, and moving up their career ladders. Many career changers in their 40s and 50s are taking online courses to improve their skills. Moreover, older workers are twice as likely to stay at a job than younger workers.
Many job hunters believe employers will only hire talented and young people. But, recent labor statistics reveal that employers are hiring more older workers. Older workers are often misunderstood as less productive and efficient. This belief has led many job seekers to believe they will not be able get past the first hurdle in their job hunt.
Research shows that older workers are more capable of improving their skills and adapting to new situations than younger workers. One study demonstrated that older workers solve more problems than younger ones. They draw on their extensive experience to help develop problem-solving solutions.