Are you too outdated to be employed?
Do you ever marvel if you happen to’re too outdated to land one other job? Or that your age is a barrier to what you actually need to do?
Now, these of you who already know me will know I get on my excessive horse about ageism within the office and the way I imagine we’re NEVER TOO OLD to reinvent our careers. Sure, that’s proper – we’re NEVER TOO OLD to be the particular person we have been born to be.
You’ll additionally know that I assist professionals to embrace their potential no matter age (sure, it’s not simply the over 50’s who’re involved about ageism, simply this week I spoke with a shopper who is worried about being 41 and feeling ‘too outdated’!)
I not too long ago delivered a webinar for over 55’s for 55/Redefined and upon following them on their social channels was impressed by one in all their posts about Colleen Heidemann, who’s now 73 and began modelling on the age of 69.
She is completely gorgeous, stuffed with power and I need to be like her after I develop up (only for the file I’m 63 and don’t have any intention of slowing down for a very long time but!)
The hyperlink to their put up on Instagram that captured my consideration and pleasure is in my shownotes at janejacksoncoach.com/podcast … you see Colleen Heidemann in motion and also you’ll see she’s carrying a t-shirt with the slogan: OLD IS THE NEW BLACK!
In fact I needed to go and purchase myself the t-shirt, “Outdated is the New Black” too. And you understand what? I adore it (however my husband didn’t perceive what it meant after I first put it on … )
As my pricey pal and writer of ‘Ageing Fearlessly’ Karen Sander says, “Ageing is inevitable however GROWING OLD is a alternative’. So I’d prefer to know the way do YOU outline ‘too outdated’?
In reality, I’d prefer to ask you, “Too outdated for what?”
As an illustration, if you happen to’re over 30, over 40, over 50, over 60, over 70 are you too outdated to:
Be heard?
Be beloved?
Be appreciated?
To contribute your years of expertise and data to learn somebody who’s issues you’ll be able to assist to unravel?
To be thought of as a person slightly than an age-bracket?
Are you too outdated to study one thing new?
Or to strive one thing totally different?
And TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT?
Sadly, in keeping with a 2021 report by the Australian Human Rights Fee, age discrimination stays a big concern within the office, affecting each job seekers and staff.
Listed below are some statistics on ageism within the office in Australia:
- Round 27% of employees over the age of fifty reported experiencing age discrimination within the office.
- Older job seekers usually tend to expertise long-term unemployment, with the typical period of unemployment for employees aged 55 and over being round 71 weeks.
- Older employees usually tend to be retrenched or have their contracts terminated, they usually discover it more difficult to safe new job alternatives than youthful employees.
and this one stunned me:
Regardless of being a protected attribute beneath Australian legislation, solely 56% of employees are conscious that age discrimination is unlawful.
So how can we overcome ageism within the office? Listed below are some methods:
- Upskilling: By staying present with technological developments and trade developments, we mature-age professionals can display our continued relevance within the office. [By the way I’m very excited about how rapidly AI is enhancing our lives – some see it as a threat, I am finding ways to use it to help in a myriad of ways in my life].
- Networking: Keep linked! Don’t shrink back from reaching out and constructing connections inside your trade (and new industries) and staying engaged with skilled organisations may also help to increase your job search and maintain you knowledgeable about new alternatives. [I know many feel that ‘networking’ is schmoozing and a bit ‘icky’ but if you think of it as an opportunity to learn about someone else, to offer help, and to gain feedback and advice then that’s not so bad is it?]
- Highlighting transferable expertise: Emphasise your transferable expertise, you might have many which might be related throughout totally different jobs and industries, and create sturdy accomplishment statements that display your worth to potential employers and in addition spotlight the RESULTS you obtain. [If you need help to do this, you’ll find it in my Career Success Program.]
- Addressing damaging stereotypes: Mature-age professionals may also help to dispel damaging stereotypes about ageing within the office by being open to new concepts, new methods of doing factor, new expertise, asking questions and being genuinely interested by studying from professionals of any age. [And just because you are of a ‘certain age’ it doesn’t mean you have to dress like an ‘oldie’ or ‘one of the greys’ – dress to express your personality and professionalism!]
To beat ageism it requires a collective effort from employers, staff, and society as a complete.
I’d prefer to ask you: How are you serving to to advertise a tradition of inclusivity and respect for all generations?
What else can we do to create a extra equitable and age-diverse office?
Let’s maintain the dialog going and I’d love you to ship me a message on LinkedIn or share a put up of you in motion displaying your power and enthusiasm no matter age and tag me so I do know!
Psssst … right here’s slightly identified secret … on the ripe age of 40 I choreographed and carried out in a musical in regards to the last days of Bugis Avenue in Singapore. We opened at Raffles Resort and obtained standing ovations every evening (and slightly scathing evaluations from the critics!) and it was SO MUCH FUN!
My dancers have been all of their late teenagers and twenties and all of us had one of the best time collectively. That’s simply to spotlight that we’re NEVER TOO OLD! And if each technology embraced what different generations add to their life expertise. Only for enjoyable, right here’s the hyperlink to a short snippet of our Finalé on YouTube!
Till subsequent time … keep joyful, wholesome and maintain an open thoughts!
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