Totaljobs.com > Career Advice > Career Doctor > Is age the real issue?

Is age the real issue?

Our Career Doctor, Sophie Relf, receives hundreds of emails every day about work and jobseeking issues. Here she advises on whether age really is a barrier to furthering or continuing a career.

Dear Career Doctor,

I left school after taking my A-levels and went straight to work for a major American bank for 25 years, climbing to senior MD level.

I've spent the last 12 years working for myself but now wish to return to the finance industry. However, I keep getting turned down for interviews on the grounds that I don't have a degree. I'm sure age is the real issue, but companies would never admit this. Is there anything I can do?

Regards
B.

Dear B,

I receive lots of letters on the theme of age, with jobseekers feeling that being too old is a barrier to furthering or even continuing their career.

The good news is that in line with the new age discrimination laws, employers are making attempts to dismiss age from their selection criteria and the Employers' Forum on Age is trying to encourage a more positive attitude.

When looking for a job the main thing to focus on is being able to demonstrate having relevant skills and not to think that a long work history means that they will walk into a well-paid, senior job. Skill requirements are changing so quickly in many industries that everyone has to work hard to make sure that they are not left behind.

Here are some suggestions for anyone looking for a new role that are especially relevant for older workers.

• Be prepared for change - Workers are becoming less likely to stay in one industry or role for the whole of their career so consider your transferable skills.
• Be a show off - Dissect each job description and show evidence of success in each of their requirements. It will make it very difficult for an employer to ignore you.
• Keep your contacts . Many jobs are never advertised, with candidates sourced through recommendations. Keep a good network of contacts so you get to hear about these opportunities.
• Look at the options - Voluntary or contract work are ways of expanding your skills and have the potential to turn into permanent positions.

My best advice to all of you who have written in about ageism would be to stop seeing it as a problem. This doesn't mean give up, and it certainly doesn't mean lie about your age on application forms. Find an area where your skills are meaningful and in demand, or develop new skills to suit your chosen career path. The right employer for you is out there somewhere!

Regards,
Sophie

If you have a question for Sophie, please email career.doctor@totaljobs.com or click here to see if your query has already been answered.

Totaljobs.com > Career Advice > Career Doctor > Is age the real issue?

Search for a job with totaljobs.com.