I recently came across an excerpt from Stephen Viscusi's book, Bulletproof your Job. Steve doesn't sugar coat anything here. He just calls it as he sees it. Read the entire article and use the parts you agree with to improve your chances of getting hired in this tough economy, where perception is reality.
How
old an impression do you make when you're interviewing? Not "just" the
way you look. Of course, we all know that your boss can look up your
age in your personnel file, or an interviewer can just count backwards
from the year of graduation printed on your resume. However, here's is
the truth: "perception" is the new reality,
like 60 is the new 50. So you need to learn the fine art of being
"perceived" as younger, through conversation and dialogue, as well as
looking younger. I want to address both, since that is the most
frequently asked topics, readers e-mail me about.
Is this fair? Is it even legal? And most importantly, should you give
in to such nonsense? I'll put it this way: if you are over 40, you need
to read on.
During a "recession", bosses can use that magic "R" word as a blank
check to fire almost anyone for any reason. And pay attention,
over-40s: the wounded economy is an especially perfect opportunity for
higher-ups to fire those senior workers whose high salaries and big
egos have outlasted their welcome.
Then, for those who are unemployed, you must do whatever it
takes to convey to hiring managers that you are employable. What does
this mean? No one wants to hire someone who's stuck in the
old-fashioned way of thinking that being qualified, working hard, and
being loyal to a company is enough. Your Princeton degree and enviable
references won't get you far if you're that naïve.
So back to the age thing. While many workers have learned that good
looks and a polished appearance go a long way toward success in the
workplace, too many of them fail to realize that cultivating the
perception of youth and a high energy attitude is an equally important
part of the equation for baby boomers. It's no secret that we live in
an age-obsessed society. Like it or not, "Interviewing Younger" is the
new catchphrase.
"Interviewing Younger" and being perceived as more youthful at the
office is a vocabulary, a body language, and a look. And here's a
secret: these rules apply EVEN MORE when your boss is your age or even
older. It's not like you are following these rules to impress a young
person. Whatever the age of your boss or interviewer, you need to
create a youthful perception about you. Otherwise, there's someone else
waiting in the wings with quicker computer skills and contemporary pop culture knowledge that will be all too happy to fill your shoes.
So how do you do it? I reveal here some of the secrets, that I give in my book, "Bulletproof Your Job" (HarperCollins).
But for those know-it-alls who have yet to buy my book (and by the way,
it's the type of book you should keep in your desk at all times to
remind yourself how to hold onto your job while everyone around you is
losing theirs), here is my holiday gift to you.
Be forewarned,
I mix in the shallow "looks" tip's, that seem to enrage woman the
most--along with the "attitude one--some of this may seem tongue and
cheek, or counter intuitive, either way--they work!
Rule #1: " Crest" Brand- White Strips. Yup, this is a shallow,
cosmetic-based tip. But I get so many letters from people who just
don't understand that having coffee-stained teeth doesn't do you any
favors in the interview department. Stop rolling your eyes, go buy the
strips (use the store brand for all I care - I'm not picky), and whiten
those teeth. Then SMILE. Smiling makes you look and feel younger - not
bitter, old, and unemployed. I don't care if you really are bitter, old, and unemployed. It's about perception, remember?
Rule #2: If you are over 40, I want you on Facebook or LinkedIn today.
No friends? You already have one: just Facebook me. If you don't know
how to join, let your kids show you, or even better, have a young
person at work "reverse mentor" you on how it works. Let that same
person help you choose your profile picture. No drunken debauchery,
please.
Rule #3: Know about and frequently use Google, BING, Yahoo, ASK
and Wikipedia. Bookmark them on your computer and set one as your
homepage.
Rule #4: Watch an episode of "Family Guy." Discuss. Repeat.
Rule #5: Peruse your local Apple store. At least learn the difference between an iPod Classic, iPod Touch, and iPod Nano
and you're on your way. And buy a set of those identifiable white
headphones to keep around, even if you don't have the iPod to go with
them. It's all about perception.
Rule #6: Don't talk about how you're so addicted to Starbucks, Coffee Bean,
or whatever your coffee place of choice is. It seems like this would
make you appear younger, but it won't. Spending your day at Starbucks
screams "unemployed loser," and ever since Michael Gates Gill
wrote "Starbucks Saved My Life", the average age of their customers
must have shot up dramatically. (By the way, Michael is a friend of
mine who I met at a book fair. He's a lovely man who wrote a terrific
book, but he's 68 and well... let's just say that Starbucks is a very
early 2000 sort of Devil Wears Prada.) Besides, you should never walk into an interview with a coffee cup, especially since you just whitened those teeth.
Rule #7: Pick up a copy of "Entertainment Weekly"
before an interview. But for God's sake, don't take it in with you and
don't let anyone see you reading it. That said, nothing gets you more
up to date on the youthful world of pop culture like an issue of "EW".
Rule #8: Learn how to "text". TWITTER and Skype
Rule #9: Young people get their news online - they don't read
newspapers. So don't carry one into an interview with you or be seen
reading it at the office like someone's mom or dad.
Rule #10: Make eye contact- and use my famous Viagra handshake (learn
all about it in my book, "Bulletproof Your Job" (HarperCollins). Eye
contact is so critical to being perceived as young; don't be afraid to
use it. Speaking of eyes--COSIDER CONTACTS!
Rule #11: Rarely refer to your children, never your grandchildren, and never ever your great-grandchildren.
Rule #12: Go to the gym... or at least say that you do.
Rule #13: Never talk about the 80s or 90s, and never use words from "your day." Nothing at work is groovy, dy-no-mite, or tubular. Ever.
Rule #14: Get a TiVo or DVR, or at least know how they work.
Rule #15: Practice "sounding young" on the phone. Take a small
survey of how old you sound on the phone, and then practice with a
friend sounding younger (a tip: talk higher and peppier). This is
critical. In the same vein, make sure your outgoing voicemail message
isn't too long or boring. Short and sweet with a positive attitude is
all you need.
Rule #16: Dress is very important: always dress
age-appropriate. No 40+ man should be wearing an Abercrombie &
Fitch t-shirt, and no 40+ woman should be sporting a skimpy halter top
(and these items should never be worn to work, no matter what your
age).
Rule #17: Give your hairstyle a long, hard look. No wonder there are so
many makeover shows! My advice is to ask an outsider his or her
opinion. Someone who loves you won't want to hurt your feelings, or may
love your look for sentimental or romantic reasons, but sadly that
won't help you find a job. Bad coloring jobs spells disaster for both
men and women, and let's face it, hair weaves for men rarely work. Men,
don't go overboard on finding a new hairstyle - just clip your nose and
ear hair and you're on the right track. Ladies, pluck or bleach facial
hair - it's never good at any age, but for the over 40 set; it will
scream menopause way before you've even reached it. And, men-the
Goatee-Van Dyke thing-just screams, "I have been unemployed a LONG
time. Shave it, and if you grew it because your bald, as a decoy. Guess
what? You are still bald!
Rule #18: Skip the cologne and excessive perfume. And while
we're on the subject, wear deodorant. You may laugh, but many people
just don't do it.
Rule #19: Do not "Block" your Phone. It just screams that you
have bill collectors after you, and no perspective employer need to
call twice. They have plenty of options.
Rule #20: Have your e-mail address on your resume, you would be surprised how many people don't.
Okay... feel any younger, or just berated?
Trust me, I just took 15 years off the way you come across.
Yeah, some things I talk about here are cosmetic, but most are not.
It's all about perception...and perception is the new reality.
About the Author: Stephen Viscusi
Twitter Stephen@workplaceguru
Stephen is the founder of www.bulletproofyourresume.com and Stephen is the author of the HarperCollins book "Bulletproof Your Job" published in 9 languages. He can be reached at Stephen@viscusi.com.
Facebook and LinkedIn Stephen @ "Stephen Viscusi"
Stephen Viscusi is the host of the upcoming TV show "The Headhunter From Hell".
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As a 28 year-old who works in online marketing and social media, I'd say your advice is right on target. I'd like to add one tip for after you get the job. If your office has causal Fridays or anytime you have the option to wear jeans at work, don't wear "mommy" jeans or other out-dated jeans. Nothing ages you faster. Try a dark wash, trouser-leg or bootcut style, and make sure your jeans are long enough that they almost touch the ground. If you need more direction, try watching "What Not to Wear" on TLC.
Posted by: Joanne | December 28, 2009 at 12:40 PM
That is great advice Joanne. Those mommy jeans are certainly something that needs to be left at home or donated!
Roberta
Roberta Chinsky Matuson
President
Human Resource Solutions
413-582-1840
Roberta@yourhrexperts.com
www.yourhrexperts.com
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Posted by: Roberta Matuson | December 30, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Hi it is Stephen Viscusi-
If you want a New resume for 2010--and the free consultation included from me--if you order by Janary 15 2010 --and mention "Roberta Matuson" and or her Generation Intergration BLOG/Website--when you order you can take @) percent off the price. You just need to Subsribe to Roberta's BLOG- Visit www.bulletproofyourresume.com
Posted by: Stephen Viscusi | December 30, 2009 at 11:30 PM