Forty may be the new fifty but not if you are job searching. We have laws to protect us from age discrimination in the workplace but in reality discrimination occurs daily. Don’t be discouraged. You can improve your chances of breaking through the age barrier and landing a fulfilling job by following these tips.

Take inventory of your skills

If you have been at home raising children or taking care of an aging parent you may think you have little to offer employers. If you take time to list everything you have done, while out of the workforce, you will be surprised by what you see.

Compile a list of all your skills and accomplishments. For example, if you were in charge of coordinating volunteers for a major PTO event, list everything you had to do to keep team members motivated. Now think about what companies look for when they hire employees. Notice any similarities?

Give your resume a facelift

The purpose of a resume is to get you a job right? Wrong. All a well-written resume will do is get you in the door for an interview. Then it’s up to you to convince the company you are the best candidate for the job.

Does your resume look weathered? Over time, has it grown to three or four pages? Are you still listing the first job you had right after high school graduation? Are you displaying the date you received your college degree? Freshen your resume up by condensing your background. Limit your job history to the past 10 years and eliminate dates that reveal your age. Worried about losing important information? Consider summarizing the relevant pieces of your previous work history into a few short paragraphs. A lighter more updated look should increase your chances of receiving interviews.

Some companies still handle resumes the old fashion way. They read them. However, many organizations are turning to resume management systems, which require a different type of resume. Action words, such as “managed” or “designed” used to be in vogue. Today it’s more important to use nouns, since many employers are searching their databases using key words.

Looks matter
 
Understandably you want people to accept you for who you are but in our culture looks do matter. You can update your appearance without taking drastic measures. You do not need to book an appointment with a plastic surgeon, so put the phone down. Focus on your wardrobe, hair and makeup.

Dressing for interviews can be confusing in this day of business casual. Half the people in the office are wearing jeans while the other half are in Dockers. Neither style of dress is appropriate for an interview. This is your opportunity to make a good first impression. It is better to be a bit overdressed than dressed too casually.

If your suits still have shoulder pads then it is time to make a trip to the mall. If you cannot afford to purchase a new outfit, then consider removing the shoulder pads and purchasing a few accessories to freshen up your wardrobe.

While at the mall, stop by the make-up counter. Notice all the lovely young ladies waiting to apply your make-up. These people are professionally trained. Heed their advice, but also watch your wallet. Most are on commission.

See the perfume counter? Great. Steer clear. It is no longer politically correct to suffocate others in the office with the smell of your favorite perfume.

If you cannot recall the last time you had your hair styled then it is time to call for an appointment. While there, consider throwing in a few highlights to cover some of those gray hairs. You can always go back to your original look once you have landed the job.

Grease your network

You know more people than you think if you are active in your community. For most people, coaching the little league team is not a full-time job. Ask around and find out what your kid’s coaches do from 9-5. Research their companies to see if there are job openings that might be right for you. Then ask them to introduce you to the hiring manager. Don’t worry about stepping out of bounds. Many companies offer their employees a referral fee when candidates are hired. Look at this approach as a win-win situation.

Network

Passive job searching did not work when you were twenty so what makes you think it will work now? Get out of the house and start connecting. Attend conferences, association meetings and become visible. Do not just show up. Become involved. Offer to lead a committee or recruit volunteers for a nonprofit. You never know whom you might impress in the process.

Don’t know what you want to do when you grow up? Hire a professional to help you figure out. Career coaches can help you open up a new chapter in your life. They will also prevent you from wasting time applying for positions that are no longer suitable for you.

The best way to find a career coach is through referrals. Ask people who have recently returned to the workforce who they have used. Once you have a few names in hand, select the one that best fits your personality.

Be prepared

It used to be enough to walk into an interview prepared to discuss the company’s latest product or marketing strategy. Today you have to be prepared to meet with someone who may be half your age.

Do not assume the person interviewing you is not the decision-maker. In some companies, like technology-based organizations, you may be speaking with one of the founding partners. When responding to interview questions, watch your tone. Most organizations are looking for enthusiastic and energetic employees, regardless of age.

Job searching can be a daunting task or a process that encourages you to push your boundaries. Like age, it is all in your attitude.