Transforming ageism

Lately, I’ve seen several people talking on Instagram about ageism and how they feel that being over 50 could be why they’re still unemployed. I too, am older than 50, turning 56 next month, but I haven’t really thought about its impact on my job searching.

I encountered a lot of ageism when I was younger though. I was the sweet little girl, who was “allowed” to be present in meetings, rather than assuming that I always should, whenever the meeting concerned projects I was working on. As a copywriter, working in the advertising industry decades ago, meeting with the client; the business we were making a campaign for, is absolutely crucial to gain an understanding of the tone and soul of said company. I simply would do a less good job, if I didn’t get to speak first hand with them.

After I turned 30, I for sure felt I no longer would have to worry about being “too young”. But then instead, a couple of years in, it felt like many didn’t want me to have power. Instead of letting me work for them with my power!

Fast forward to the last couple of years, when my life has slowed down, I’m more at peace and less stressed, one would think this would be an attractive trait? I think the only way to curb ageism, is to own it. If we can find things that are positive about our age and use these to our advantage, we can help turn around the pre-conceived notions about not hiring middle-aged. We need to verbalize all the benefits of being over 50:

• We have no young kids that need us home for sick-days, be picked up early after school, or prioritize recitals to attend.

• We feel more at home in our skin and can embody self-confidence with humility.

• We’ve already been through various cycles of change, so we can recognise them as such, and therefore be more comfortable with the process.

• We’ve worked with different types of people before, so we can adjust and team up.

• We have enough experience, so we don’t need to compete as much with younger.

• We can relate to both younger people (who we used to be) and people of our own age.

• We can trust in our own judgment.

  
  

Can you think of anything more? What is true for you and is this something you can point out in your list of competencies or in your personal letter, when you apply for a job?