In my 50+ job search workshops, participants said that they were experiencing a very disappointing pattern. They were getting second interviews that were not resulting in job offers. I was curious about that. Obviously the interviewer or hiring manager had not seen age as a barrier, initially. So what happened? What I learned was that in each case, the second interview had included a tour of the workplace and introductions to other members of the team.
When a more experienced worker is introduced to a team whose members are primarily younger, it's important to quickly connect. Remember, when it comes to a new hire, the employer has three questions: Can you do the job (skills, abilities)? Will you do the job (work ethic, dependability)? Will you fit in (relationships, compatibility)? Your job, when you meet with potential colleagues is to demonstrate that you can fit in. It's essential to connect with them in the brief encounters you'll have. You need to demonstrate that, in spite of age differences (and years of directly related experience), you will be a likeable colleague.
8 Tips for Making Connections
DO NOT:
1. Talk extensively about your years of experience
2. Boast about previous projects
3. Talk down to those you meet (superior to inferior; parent to child)
4. Let your age biases show (Think you don't have any? Think again.)
DO:
5. Listen more than talk
6. Demonstrate interest; ask questions
7. Make eye contact
8. Use a person's name throughout the conversation
If these tips seem simple, it's because they are simple. It's about "other-centeredness" - taking the spotlight off yourself and shining it over there - on the person you are in conversation with at that moment. Simple as it is, in the heat of the selection process - when your next job is at stake, it's very difficult not to be self-conscious, somewhat anxious, and focused on marketing yourself. This is one time when marketing yourself means being warm, friendly and interested in others.
For more about making connections, download the article at www.rcmassociates.com What to say after you say hello to learn the many ways to make connections throughout your job search. Read about the conversation between Scott and Jack at a networking event and discover how Scott identified the conversation connectors. See how easy it is to have a meaningful conversation using that simple process.
When a more experienced worker is introduced to a team whose members are primarily younger, it's important to quickly connect. Remember, when it comes to a new hire, the employer has three questions: Can you do the job (skills, abilities)? Will you do the job (work ethic, dependability)? Will you fit in (relationships, compatibility)? Your job, when you meet with potential colleagues is to demonstrate that you can fit in. It's essential to connect with them in the brief encounters you'll have. You need to demonstrate that, in spite of age differences (and years of directly related experience), you will be a likeable colleague.
8 Tips for Making Connections
DO NOT:
1. Talk extensively about your years of experience
2. Boast about previous projects
3. Talk down to those you meet (superior to inferior; parent to child)
4. Let your age biases show (Think you don't have any? Think again.)
DO:
5. Listen more than talk
6. Demonstrate interest; ask questions
7. Make eye contact
8. Use a person's name throughout the conversation
If these tips seem simple, it's because they are simple. It's about "other-centeredness" - taking the spotlight off yourself and shining it over there - on the person you are in conversation with at that moment. Simple as it is, in the heat of the selection process - when your next job is at stake, it's very difficult not to be self-conscious, somewhat anxious, and focused on marketing yourself. This is one time when marketing yourself means being warm, friendly and interested in others.
For more about making connections, download the article at www.rcmassociates.com What to say after you say hello to learn the many ways to make connections throughout your job search. Read about the conversation between Scott and Jack at a networking event and discover how Scott identified the conversation connectors. See how easy it is to have a meaningful conversation using that simple process.
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