Combating Age Bias in the Workplace

Older job applicants need a strategy to overcome ageist attitudes in the workplace, reports Beacon Senior News . Hiring older workers has benefits that more than make up for the drawbacks: seniors generally have experience in a wide variety of scenarios and deep knowledge in specialized areas, with the skill to adjust to sudden setbacks and take a stand when called for. In addition, a 2016 AARP study determined that "the relative productivity of both older and younger workers is higher in companies that utilize mixed-age work teams than in companies that do not." Senior job seekers are recommended to submit resumes detailing only the last 15 years or so of job history, emphasizing the high points. Seniors also should leverage their personal network, and ascertain the roles they might qualify for in the organization. Nonprofits where seniors have volunteered or donated over the years are one potential employer. Medical sales or patient advocacy organizations also are worth exploring, and jobs like dietitian, accountant, personal trainer, writer, editor, or any type of customer service representative are especially conducive to people with maturity and experience. Job training or resume writing workshops also are resources that merit consideration.