John Coffey knows the challenges older workers face.
"I've worked with clients who tell me at our very first meeting that they will not get another job because they are too old," said Coffey, a senior career counselor and certified job and career transition coach. "My response to them is, You're right! If that's what you truly believe, there is very little I can do to help."
As a 66-year-old working professional who obtained his current job at age 63, he also believes it's the job seeker, not the employer, who may be the one's making their age an issue.
"I don't deny that there are some employers who will discriminate against a job seeker because of their age; I just don't believe it's as prevalent as it's perceived to be by some older job seekers," said Coffey. "Unfortunately many older workers buy into the age issue and it immediately becomes a huge barrier and [a] self-fulfilling prophecy. If you believe you're too old, then you are too old. There is nothing we can do about our age -- we are as old as we are. There are, however, many things we can do to deal with our age and the perception others have toward us. I've never felt as though I was discriminated against in any way due to my age. I believe it's up to each of us older workers to do whatever we can to help dispel the age discrimination myth, or at least put it into perspective."
Bruce Glewwe a Twin Cities-based executive search consultant who specializes in recruiting in the banking industry for Glewwe & Associates, said this is a great opportunity to use your career experiences to your advantage and focus on the positive impact you can make for a company.
"In this current economy, many companies are running very lean and need employees that can be productive from day one and bring added value to a company," said Glewwe. "Your skills, industry knowledge and contacts could help propel a company to increased profits. Your experience could also be a valuable asset to help train, coach and mentor the younger employees with less experience."
Remember that during an interview, the company cannot ask you how old you are and the conventional wisdom is that you don't offer that information, said Glewwe. If you are not getting invited back for second interviews, perhaps they think you look older than you actually are. Test the results of telling them during the first interview that you have 10 good, productive years to work before retirement.
This is also a good time to look at how you are dressed and groomed. Coffey emphasizes the importance of maintaining a clean, well-groomed appearance. Update your wardrobe and perfect your personal hygiene.