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Does your age concern you when it comes to your job search? Oftentimes, people over 40 worry that age will impact their ability to get hired or take on a new career. So, in a recent episode of the HigherEdJobs podcast, Andy and Kelly discussed this issue with Dr. David Blake, who refers to himself as an HR geek, recovering academic, former CHRO and COO.
Dr. Blake assures listeners that feeling some self-doubt is normal. “You’ve been in the workforce for about 20 years now,” he says. “I just think it is a natural byproduct of the thought process that we go through as we advance in our career.”
Andy echoes these thoughts. “Obviously, at 40, there’s more at stake… the family, the financial pressures, maybe the career aspirations…”
One common concern for older job seekers is appearing overqualified and missing out on job opportunities for this reason. At 40+ years old, it is normal to slow down to some degree, but it can be difficult for others to understand this and they may assume the job will bore you. Be prepared to tell employers why it is a good fit for you currently. Don’t let them brand you as overqualified.
Despite the challenges that come with a job search for people 40 and over, there are many opportunities and benefits to remember. Your life and work experiences are valuable, and “you only get that by being around a little longer than somebody else,” Dr. Blake reminds us.
He also advises that we get comfortable with the idea of our managers being younger than us. “There’s always going to be the possibility that you will work for somebody who is much younger than you,” he says. “It’s just the way it is.”
However, he quickly adds, “As you get older, one of the neat things about being in your career is the opportunity to give back.” The relationship goes both ways. Even though they are your manager, you can give back by sharing your experiences and helping them grow.
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Listen to the full episode and let us know your thoughts via email at podcast@higheredjobs.com.
