Of course it doesn't hurt to look younger than you are (at 45 I can easily pass for a 35yr old, just dumb luck and some Asian genetics). Also, the energy you give off is big as well, when interviewing that's a big part of what I look for. My boss is fiftysoemthing but is energetic very similar to the thirtysomethings we work with, it made a big deal when we interviewed him.
Don't speak slow and passive, speak at a good pace and with energy!! That to me is what separates old people from lively people who have just happened to have been alive a long time. I know of a couple of 70+ guys who if you close your eyes you'd never guess their age because they speak with energy and conviction, I want to be like that 30 years from now. Youthful energy, excellent way to put it John. From: John Hornbuckle [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, September 23, 2011 7:29 AM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: RE: OT:Age Discrimination in IT Great advice-image is REALLY important. The folks who do the hiring are human, and even if they try hard not to discriminate on age they often end up doing it subconsciously. Imagine two 55-year-old applicants looking for work. One is 50 lbs overweight, has messy hair, and is dressed in ill-fitting, unprofessional clothes. The other is fit, well-groomed, and in a tailored suit. All things being equal, which one is more likely to be hired? Which one conveys an image that simultaneously portrays both experience and vigor? That's the image to strive for-the one that shows that you have the wisdom that comes from being around the block a time or two, but also still have plenty of youthful energy. As for college, that works to my advantage because I graduated well into adulthood. So the date of graduation is a bit misleading on a resume. :-) John Hornbuckle, MSMIS, PMP MIS Department Taylor County School District www.taylor.k12.fl.us From: Daniel Evensen [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 5:43 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: OT:Age Discrimination in IT I try to focus on the items that can be changed. My health, I walk 50 miles a month, dye my hair, am the correct weight for my height, and I dress to fit the corporate environment, etc. I try to keep abreast of new technologies and I am going to start attending local user group meetings. When I was at EDS now HP I remember being told they turned a applicant away because he did not dress like them and they felt uncomfortable. I can not change the current National employment crisis, our countries viewpoints on age etc. They can figure your age by the dates of college graduation and employment history so that is one reason Andrews advice was spot on. Daniel Evensen ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ --- To manage subscriptions click here: http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ or send an email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ --- To manage subscriptions click here: http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ or send an email to [email protected] with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin
