3 Key Ways to Avert Ageism During Your Search (and in Your Workplace)

“Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” 
— Betty Friedan

Hi Audie,

Hope you and your families had a fun and safe July 4th holiday! 

Guess what?  YCTA just celebrated its 6th birthday on July 1st! 🎉 🎂 🥳  It's been an energizing, fulfilling and empowering experience filled with highs and lows, and I wouldn’t change a thing! As someone who thrives on helping people achieve their career goals, I find mentoring and coaching mid- to senior-level executives through job/career transitions and beyond so gratifying and rewarding. 

Knowing I’m making a positive difference in my people's lives is something I wholeheartedly embrace — especially since being painfully unhappy at work or being in between jobs impacts one’s income, personal relationships, and, for some, their confidence (and sanity!). I truly value the trust and confidence my clients have in me to help them land an exciting new role (or launch and grow their own business) so they can feel re-energized and whole again.  

Heartfelt thanks and appreciation to my wonderful and talented clients who have entrusted me with their job transition and career journey, and many others who have helped facilitate the growth of my business through their referrals and introductions, extended invitations to exclusive networking events, and, last but not least, those who have played key supportive roles (i.e. my family, my Virtual Assistant, Business Coach, and others I’ve met through various business building and professional development programs). 

This month’s newsletter addresses 3 key ways to avert ageism during your search (and applies in your workplace, as well). This generally starts to become noticeable in your 50s, yet, in my opinion, it’s never too soon to become aware of this so you can take positive and productive action.

I’d love to hear from you!  Let me know how this month’s newsletter resonates with you and what questions or topics you’d like me to address in a future newsletter.

Warm regards,

P.S. I invite you to share my newsletter with anyone you feel could benefit from receiving valuable content and insights specific to mid- to senior-level executive job seekers/career changers. 

P.P.S. To learn more about Your Call To Action, LLC and how I help my clients go from being frustrated and struggling with their search, stuck in a toxic work environment or ready to take their career to the next level to feeling excited, valued and re-energized at work (and in their life) again, take a look around my website.

“You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get OLD.” 
— George Burns

I recently received this email message from a client:  

Audie,

Many of us are facing Ageism and losing out in interviews to younger (less expensive) folks at companies often run by executives that graduated college in 2010! Can you share anything on how to compete in a younger hiring world?

Thanks!

Many of you can probably relate to this, but don’t fret! Here are 3 ways to avert ageism during your search:

Leverage your network to hear about and then get introduced to key people at a company.  

Age usually goes by the wayside as your contacts are able to speak to your expertise and strengths, your work ethic, and what it's like to work with you, etc. You still need to excel throughout the interview process, and if you are one of the final candidates, all things being equal, a known entity will often outweigh an unknown who may be years younger (and less experienced).  

When interviewing, and in written communications, be mindful of your mindset and actions.  

Be sure your actions and words portray someone younger with years of work ahead of them.  Even if your next position is going to be your last hurrah before retiring, that's fine ... just don't say or infer that!  

As applicable, share that you’re a life-long learner, enjoy collaborating with and learning from people up and down and across the organization, are adaptable and flexible, have high energy (if you don’t have high energy, don’t say this as it’ll be obvious when talking with you), are technically savvy and you enjoy working, being productive, and making a positive impact at a company. 

Unfortunately, there are many people in a hiring capacity who think of older workers as those who are set in their ways, are afraid to learn new things, aren’t comfortable (or don’t know how to) using technology software and tools. Don’t be “that person”!

Note: if you aren’t technically savvy, learn what you need to learn to get the job done! There are plenty of free or inexpensive courses online to learn common office software, etc. The same applies to your smartphone – if you’re still using a flip phone, keep it hidden … or upgrade to a smartphone!

Be sure your resume and LinkedIn profile only reflect the past 20 years and be sure the year you graduated college (and graduate school) isn’t listed!

In the end, as an interviewee you'll probably never know whether it's ageism or something else that prevents you from moving forward in an interview process. It's a competitive market, especially for positions at a higher level within an organization, so be sure you are being strategic and well-prepared for your interviews, have solid messaging and conduct yourself in a way that helps you stand out (in a good way).

“Age is no barrier.  It’s a limitation you put on your mind.”
— Jackie Joyner-Kersee

I’m excited to share my latest achievement: securing my Executive Coaching Certification! 🔖  

I was driven to do this for two key reasons:

• I continue to invest in training, mentors, and certifications in order to ensure that I have the highest level of skills, tools and resources to serve my clients (current and future). I’m committed to investing and up-leveling my knowledge, and my clients get the benefit of my expertise!  
  
  
• This broadens the scope of how I can continue supporting, guiding and coaching my clients once they land, thus ensuring they get off to a great start (onboarding and securing quick wins!), confidently lead their teams and develop key strategic relationships, competently handle issues/challenges that arise, and have a wildly successful 1st year on the job … and beyond.  

If you are a mid- to senior-level executive and motivated to find your next opportunity (or know someone who is), I'd love to speak with you to better understand your situation, what you're looking to do, and see how I can be of help.

Book your complimentary 40-minute Strategy Session here.

Prior to launching Your Call To Action, LLC in 2015, Audie spent over 30 years in technology sales and sales leadership roles working with C-Level and other key stakeholders at Fortune 1000 companies utilizing a consultative and value-based approach to addressing her clients' needs.

Due to the evolving nature of the technology industry, it was common to change companies due to M&A, new leadership coming in and bringing their own team, corporate restructurings, or as a way to advance one's career. Audie became very proficient — and successful — in landing multiple offers each time, and was frequently complimented on how she stood out (in a good way!) from other candidates throughout the interview process.

She leverages her business acumen, consultative and value-based approach to sales, and professional coach training (ICF Certified) in working with clients and delivering her proven methodology, strategies and tips for successfully landing a new position (after all, one needs to sell oneself, right?).

Audie is intuitive, nurturing, and compassionate yet firm—all of the qualities you should want in a coach. She is your accountability partner with a focus on helping you get real results ... and you’ll also have fun along the way!

Want to learn more? Click here to book a Complimentary Strategy Session.