In part one of our two-part series we look at what interviewers might be thinking when you sit down in front of them and what you can do to overcome any misconceptions.

The biggest hurdles mature job seekers face is overcoming stereotypes, says Patricia Shaw, client services director at career management organisation Audrey Page & Associates. She says jobseekers can be pigeon-holed no matter what their age, but those over 50 are sometimes prone to being categorised as (brace yourselves):

• Over-qualified.
• Lacking energy and vitality.
• Unable to adapt well to change (for example, in technology) or new ways of doing things.
• Prone to health problems.
• Being past their prime and only capable of delivering a reduced performance.

So, what can you do to combat these biases and other misconceptions?

1. Understand the stereotypes

Shaw says be aware that stereotypes like these might actually exist. This will help you prepare positive responses to questions that might arise.

“Understand what some of those myths and misconceptions might be and then ensure responses don’t play into the stereotype,” says Shaw. At the same time, she says it’s equally important to be authentic and honest in your responses.

One of the stereotypes may be that mature job applicants don’t keep up to date with technology. To ensure you don’t fit in with this it’s important to have a good working knowledge of social media platforms. “Understand what the cloud is; know what big data is.”

“Those things could well be on the agenda of most organisations,” she says.

Biases can begin affecting the interviewer’s perception when they seek to establish if you can do the job (based on your knowledge, skills and experience); if you will do it (based on your motivation and resilience), and if you will fit into the culture of the business.

When answering the questions, Shaw says be aware of your body language and the tone of what you’re saying. Make eye contact with the interviewer and have a positive sense of presence.

2. Listen for a subtext

“A good interviewer… will know that they can’t ask specific questions in the same way you can’t ask a 25-year-old woman, ‘Are you expecting to have children soon?’ There are things you just can’t ask because they’re either politically incorrect… or would fall under discrimination. However, that doesn’t mean they won’t be asked in a different way.”

It’s important to stay attuned to what you think the subtext is and remember that not all questions are evidence of a bias. Thinking this could cause you to misinterpret what is being asked.

“A lot of interviews are based on standard questions that are asked of everyone,” she says. “A very standard question would be, ‘How do you maintain your energy levels during very busy or stressful periods?’… and they will ask people of every age that question. But for a mature aged applicant it could sound like a thinly disguised way of asking them if they’re worn out, washed up and past it. It’s really important not to over-read it.”

3. Watch for red herrings

Shaw says that applicants will typically be asked questions in the negative, such as, ‘Tell me about a time when you did feel worn out,’ or ‘Tell me about a time when you didn’t feel up to date with what was going on’.

She says you don’t necessarily have to answer the question that is being asked of you, “because what you do is provide a litany of failure… of times when you haven’t been able to do it.”

Try to acknowledge the question and tell them how you managed that situation in a positive way.

She says if you’re asked a technology question such as, ‘Have you been involved in a conversation about a subject that isn’t on your radar?’ say something like, ‘Of course, there are always times where somebody will be more informed. If I talked to the IT department they will talk about technology that will be well beyond most people. What I do is ensure I keep up to date with technology and I’m a regular user of Snapchat and LinkedIn.’

“Again, you’re just putting the concept to them. You’re not being defensive; you’re being honest.”

Have you been faced interview hurdles as an older jobseeker? How did you overcome them? Please comment below or start a conversation over on the Living Well Navigator forums.

Source: Living Well Navigator