What is the older-worker stereotype? According to one survey, it means you don't like anything new and you are physically limited. That's right. The moment you come through the door, many interviewers are going to automatically assume you fit into one or both of those categories before you even open your mouth. What can you do to offset it? First, and most important, you need to acknowledge it may occur. Second, you need to recognize it when it does. And third, you need to know how to offset it with positive images or stereotypes during the interview.
Why do interviewers stereotype people? Basically, they are no different from the rest of us. Putting people in preconceived boxes is easier than taking the time to get to know them as individuals. Of course, employers are not the only guilty ones. You do it, too, when you say, "They won't hire someone my age. They're all looking for someone younger." When they do it to you and you do it to them, no communication occurs.
Prejudice Aimed at You
One of your assignments in the interview, then, is to climb out of the Older Worker Box the interviewer may have put you in and make the person see you as an individual. At the same time, you should try to see the interviewer as the unique individual he or she is.
The American Association of Retired Persons funded a survey in 1985 to see how American business viewed older reentry workers (defined as 50 years and older). The research firm of Yankelovich, Skelly and White conducted on-site interviews with 400 American businesses, sizes 50 to 1,000-plus employees. In each firm the person interviewed was either the business owner or the person directly in charge of Human Resources or Personnel. The survey found that stereotypes, both good and bad, exist concerning older workers.
On the negative side, the survey found that many employers believe older people have physical limitations and are resistant to new ways. It's imperative, therefore, that you offset both of these stereotypes during each interview. I once brought up this issue during a workshop, and one woman said she had recently taken up belly-dancing-should she mention it during the interview? Absolutely, I told her. I couldn't think of a better way to negate the stereotype of being physically limited than that!
What if you don't do anything as interesting as that? Invent something. If you think about it, you can surely uncover a fact about yourself that will counter the notion that older people just sit in rocking chairs and watch the world pass by. Do you swim, jog, bicycle, backpack, or play tennis? Any of these activities will help project the image of the active, vital person you are.
To counter the stereotype that "older people are resistant to new ways," you will need examples of how you welcome change. If you are asked about where you go on vacation, for example, think of what you've done or where you've gone recently that's different. Talk about that backpacking trip you took with your teenage grandson. If you are curious about computers, enroll in a computer class (or say you're thinking about taking a class) - then talk about it during the interview. Don't say you've been going to the same cabin at the same lake for the past 30 years.
Many companies also attributed a "good work ethic" to older workers. Again, capitalize on this common perception by mentioning that you won't be calling in sick because of boyfriend problems, a sick child, a hangover, etc. Reiterate that your time is your own and you plan to pour both it and your energy into the new job.
Throughout the interview, it's imperative that you accentuate the positive. Human beings, especially interviewers, have selective memories. Say something negative and it will be remembered. (In fact, you will need to make six positive comments to offset every negative comment, so it's easier - and smarter -not to say anything negative at all.)
Now, for your final exercise, look in the mirror. What stereotype might a perspective employer hang on you just by looking at you? Below list five examples of what you can do or say to offset the interviewer's unspoken thoughts about your appearance or dress.
Prejudice You Aim at Others
Conversely, you need to accept the interviewer at face value. This means you should not prejudice yourself about this per-son before, during or after the interview. If you keep telling yourself there is no way anyone will hire you because you're over 50, you're right, no one will.
Let's examine prejudice for a moment. Where does it come from? How does it form? It has many sources: our childhood, our parents, our culture, our life experiences, our contemporaries. Prejudices form a framework by which we evaluate the world. The tendency to prejudge people will not limit us unduly if we interact only with those who were raised exactly as we were and if we never venture more than five miles from our birthplace! However, once we attempt to interact with the world at large, we can-and will-run into difficulties. This is because the meanings we learned to attach to particular behaviors may be outdated, obsolete or simply erroneous.
For example, perhaps you would be unnerved if a man interviewing you wore an earring. Based on your notion of how things are (the "information" you have), you might erroneously conclude the interviewer was effeminate. How you react to these kinds of situations will determine much of what occurs in your interviews. But the real point is that your "information" is outdated; wearing earrings has become a fairly common fashion statement for men under 30 years of age. So you would have allowed your prejudice to cloud and confuse the interview.
Or perhaps you would conclude that a woman executive was bossy because she directed you to take a seat. You may have been raised to believe that men, not women, performed such duties. So you might conclude that this woman would be a difficult boss to work for or will be a tough interviewer and decide to "teach her a thing or two" with a few patronizing remarks during the interview.
The examples could go on and on. How do you know if you are guilty of pigeon-holing people? Pay attention to what you mentally conjure up as you meet people. If you attach personality and/or behavioral characteristics to people based solely on what they look like, sound like, dress like, etc., you need to deprogram yourself of prejudicial tendencies. We all fall into patterns and habits, but to succeed in this world (as well as in job search) we must have an open mind. Once we put blinders on, we limit our experiences tremendously. Stay positive and open-minded. If you do, I guarantee it will show in both your demeanor and how you present yourself.
