The Job Search And Age

It seems as if the only people who look forward to getting older are kids.  Maybe it's true what they say: Youth is wasted on the young.

We don't like to acknowledge it, but age plays a big part in the job search.  If you are in your 50s or older, it often seems as if the deck is stacked against you.  How can you expect to get a job when there are younger candidates who can seemingly perform better?  Whatever happened to the days when you could get a job simply on your years of experience?

The sooner you move on from those glory days, the more success you will have in today's job market.  Nonprofit employers aren't interested in how long you have worked in the industry.  They are more concerned with whether you can bring the goods.  Instead of citing your 20 years of work experience, identify the benefits your employer will receive by hiring you.  Highlight your achievements in your resume and/or cover letter:

"As a Director For Development, I was able to increase our fundraising effectiveness.  We bought in X amount of dollars per quarter during my tenure."

By showing what you have accomplished, you can prove that you are just as worthy as a younger employee.  An effective sales pitch is the perfect way to put the perceptions of older employees to rest.  You may not be able to get back the days of yore, but you can at least bring back some of that old enthusiasm.