Sandy – Of course, there is age discrimination. No one is doubting that. My point is that there are ways to overcome it, and that it is helpful to focus on how to move ahead without dwelling on things that you cannot change. No one can change their age or past experience, but you do have a chance to change what happens in the future. Good luck!

One of the things that I that I have found with people who are older and in the job hunt, is that they may have found jobs from their networks in the past- old friends/ contacts and the like, so when they find themselves unemployed, it is a new world out there. The only “advertised” way to find a job is the large job boards, so for people who have been out of the hunt for a long time, they do not tap into the myriad of other ways to find a job as they don’t know the hidden market exists, or have not reflected enough on their past experiences in finding a job and how those jobs came about. The job boards are good at marketing themselves as the only solution to find a job, and the hidden job market is just that, hidden!

One trait I have found with older job seekers is that they do shy away from the concept of selling themselves, and do not explain to younger hiring managers, who “don’t know, what they don’t know” what life experience can mean.

Anita – Thanks so much for the additional insights. There is no question that job hunting isn’t what it was. Even how we network has changed! I think there are jobs for those willing to adjust and try some new things. (For example, the executive who mocked up a website.) In my experience, job seekers who are willing to try new things and who are willing to prove themselves (again) can be successful, but it can be a tough pill to swallow and an uphill climb to get there. (And resistance to new strategies is not specific to more experienced workers.) I appreciate your comment!

Mary Kaye – Thanks for your comment. While this post touches on age issues, there are many factors of job search that apply no matter what the age of the job seeker! I tell my clients that we can’t assume an employer will think too much about the resume…Never assume anything!

Mina –
I am sorry that this post hit a nerve for you. It’s really a wake-up call for job seekers who may believe they have no control over their job hunt. In fact, job seekers control a lot.

You suggest that we assume “that more than the majority are in fact tweaking their resumes and cover letters, or, better, that the majority are well targeted responses.” That is very generous. The more likely scenario is that job seekers who have not been in the market for years are not taking the steps they need to land their next opportunities.

If you have sent out hundreds of resumes and have not landed one interview, do not convince yourself it is because there are so many people well qualified for the jobs you are targeting. It’s time to do something different.

My clients (in all age demographics) are well prepared and find opportunities they would not otherwise land with the materials and strategies they used before we worked together.

P.S. – I suggest you revisit your knowledge of hyphenation rules before you criticize!

Okay, now write the article addressing, “I’m sure you are”.

It is very convenient to write a smart sounding article if you choose to exclude the big, real life problems of that over 50 demographic and conveniently excluding the well know fact that for every job posted there are no less than 8 people who are totally qualified and hundreds of resumes being sent for that one job posting. Of that hundred, let’s assume that more than the majority are in fact tweaking their resumes and cover letters, or, better, that the majority are well targeted responses. Now, you’d be addressing a real problem, not a conveniently comfortable subject which you can write well about.
Your article does not do well to advertise your top notch (no hyphen, same for “one stop”) job coaching. But instead shows you to be giving low tier, rehashed advise.
There is a concern, a big one, for job hunters who are over 50.
Why not try to keep your coaching and articles targeted to the age group best served by your life experience?