Job Interview Tips For Older Workers

With age comes wisdom. Unfortunately, not every hiring manager sees it that way. As more Millennials are entering the workforce with education and experience, they're creating competition for older workers. Some companies are eager for fresh faces and seem hesitant to hire people who have been in the workforce for decades. If you want to overcome your age and get a job offer, you can follow these interview tips.

1. Don't Stray from the Question

If you have years of experience with something, you could probably spend hours speaking about it. But doing so won't help you get a job, and you should avoid lengthy answers during your interview. Make a constant effort to stay on topic and keep your answers short.

Conciseness is key. Because people have a short attention span, you need to keep your answers to a minimum. Don't address the question with a yes or no answer, but don't give a 40 minute story about a past experience. Find ways to answer the question in a detailed but to-the-point manner.

2. Remain Humble

When a candidate is an expert or has achieved significant things during their career, they often struggle to be humble. However, arrogance is often the reason hiring managers choose not to hire older workers. They want someone who will listen to them and not an employee who believes they know everything.

That said, you shouldn't be timid either. There's a way to be confident and humble at the same time, and you need to master that. In addition to highlighting your talents, make it a point to explain that you're eager to learn and grow.

3. Ready Yourself for the Technology

If your interview is not in-person, prepare for the technological aspect of the interview. Video conferencing software is relatively simple to use, but may require some experience. In some cases, you need to install an app or visit a particular website.

By familiarizing yourself with the platform, you can avoid being late to your interview or seeming technologically illiterate. If possible, use the platform for a mock interview with a friend or colleague. At the very least, try to log into the conference 15 minutes in advance of your appointment.

4. Show Off Your Tech Skills

As an older worker, you can expect the interviewer to have certain stereotypes about you. For one, they probably assume you have no technology skills. Prove them wrong by discussing your achievements with technology. If you have any certifications or coursework in certain technological areas, mention them during the interview.

You might need to create openings to discuss your tech skills. If asked about your achievements or daily duties, be sure your answer includes an example of how you used technology.

5. Have an Online Presence

Before your interview, there's a good chance the hiring manager will check out your online presence. If you don't have a LinkedIn or professional social media account, the interviewer could hold it against you. They might also assume that you're not up-to-date on the latest technology.

The best way to avoid this is to improve your online presence during the job search. If you're not sure how to build your online presence, ask a colleague or family member for help.

6. Show That You Fit in

In addition to looking at your skills, an interviewer also considers how you fit in with the company. They want to know you'll work together with your colleagues and have values aligned with the company's values. To accomplish this, do your research.

Spend some time looking up details about the company's values and culture. How do you fit in with those values? What personality traits will make you work well with other co-workers? If you can prove you fit in with the company, you demonstrate two things. First, you show you'll collaborate well with everyone else. Second, you demonstrate that you're interested enough in the position to do your research.

7. Keep Achievements Relevant

Throughout your past, you may have achieved many accomplishments. And as eager as you might be to showcase those accomplishments, don't overdo it. It's just as bad to be overqualified for a position as it is to be underqualified.

Rather than oversell your achievements, keep your list short. Only mention relevant accomplishments, or you risk sounding overqualified. Before your interview, make a list of things you have done that relate to the job listing.

8. Change the Focus

If you mention your age frequently during the interview, the hiring manager won't think of anything else but the age gap. Avoid mentioning your age and allow your personal brand to shine. Give the interviewer an opportunity to shift attention on you, not your age.

9. Speak About Your Long-Term Goals

Because of your age, a hiring manager might assume you don't have much of a future with their company. To push them past their fears, make it clear that you have long-term plans for your career. Speak openly about the future and show the interviewer their fears of retirement are unfounded.

If you make it apparent that you plan to remain employed and want to advance your career, the hiring manager will forget their fears. You can take away all the reasons they don't want to hire you, and improve your chances of obtaining a job offer.

10. Be Confident

Don't allow your nerves to get the best of you. If you show up anxious on the day of your interview, you have two strikes against you. Furthermore, your nerves could make your age gap seem even more significant.

It's not easy to build confidence, but there are a few simple steps you can take to work on being more self-assured. For instance, practice interviewing in front of a mirror. You can also ask friends and family members for help preparing for the interview.

If you're confident, you can overcome a stereotype or misconception. When you have confidence and follow the tips above, you may even be able to use your age to your advantage.