Earlier this week, I read with interest a news release issued by Retired Worker, the largest employment website in Canada designed for retirees who want to work on a part-time, temporary or contract basis. The release, entitled 50+ Job Seekers Need To Keep Their Appearance As Up-to-date As Their Skills, urges boomer job-seekers to take a good look at themselves in the mirror and make sure that they are dressing for success.
I cannot agree more – whether they are looking to re-enter the workforce or not, retired baby boomers need to exude confidence and look up-to-date. Boomers are often misconceived as ‘over the hill’ with a ‘take-it-easy’ work ethic. They, therefore, need to dress not only for success, but to ‘kill’ in order to encourage employers to focus on their knowledge and experience instead of their age. When interviewing for potential employees, I often look for a ‘killer’ instinct in job candidates – a determination to succeed and a drive to excel in a competitive environment. Why should interviewing boomers be different? Boomers looking for a job should look as well-groomed and polished as their younger counterparts!
I wish you’d been there when I did a radio interview a day or two after the media release was sent, when I took a call from a fairly irate older worker who thought I was being unreasonable!
Older people think nothing of telling 22-year-old recent grads to take their nose ring out and buy a decent interview suit – but they don’t like it when they themselves are given similar advice….