Smashing perceptions - Five questions you may find difficult to answer at an interview

Smashing perceptions - Five questions you may find difficult to answer at an interview

By TAEN – The Age and Employment Network

 

If you are asked about your age

Don’t volunteer your age but if you are asked directly, don’t be defensive about it.  Say that you are in your 50s or 60s and then direct the focus to the position at hand and act positively and enthusiastically.

Eg.

• I am really keen on this opportunity because I have always been very interested in this area of work. 
• I enjoy working with younger colleagues and keeping up to speed with latest practice and techniques.  

 

If you are asked about your health

Emphasise the steps you take to keep your energy and fitness levels up.  If you have a disability or health problem, do not hide it but show how you would overcome it or deal with it if hired.

Eg.

• I took this into account when applying for this job.  I do not have any health problems.
• I am as healthy as the average person and I have always had a good attendance  record in my previous jobs.
• I appreciate this job needs a certain stamina and I am prepared for this

 

If you are asked about your IT skills

You may have very good IT skills – in which case say what they are (the IT packages you are familiar with and have used).  If your IT skills are not particularly strong, do try and take some training before your interview to give you confidence in your answers. Give reassurance that you have some idea and express a willingness to get up to speed with the company’s IT procedures.

Eg.

• I took a refresher course at the local college.
• I practise at my daughter’s when I go over there every week.  

 

If you are asked about working for a younger manager

Many younger managers feel that an older person will resent being told what to do, and be difficult to manage.  They also may believe that ‘old habits die hard’ and that it will be difficult for an older person to adapt or keep up to speed with the workload.  They will need to feel comfortable about your willingness to follow their requests.  You may like to think of an instance where you worked for a younger manager in a previous job or that you accept younger leadership outside work.

Eg. 

• I have had a younger manager in the past and we worked well together.  
• That is not a problem for me. I am quite happy to work with a younger manager.
• I don’t define other people by their age – I like working with people of all ages
• I like keeping up with younger people and the latest ways of working. 

 

If you are going for a completely new area of work

 You may think your CV has very little that is applicable to the new job for which you are trying.   This is where you need to bring into play your technology  and organisational skills or industry knowledge and show how you could bring those attributes to a new position. 

Don’t forget – many people first think of what they did in their last job, but you may have skills that you have developed in your personal life which you could apply in a work situation.  Carers, for example, are very good at multi-tasking. You may have adminstrative skills that will stand you in good stead.

Eg. 

• I have driven all my life and kept a clean driving licence, so I could learn very quickly to make deliveries in a larger vehicle.
• I have always taken part in local community activities in my spare time and I would bring my organisational skills to the job.

 

If you are asked when you plan to retire?

Now that the Default Retirement Age of 65 years has been abolished, many companies are worried that they may be landed with older people whom they would find it difficult to retire.   Unless you have definite plans, you may not wish to answer this with a planned date.

Eg.

• I enjoy working and I would not have applied for this job if I didn’t think I could manage it.
• I haven’t got an exact date and I don’t plan to set one while I am fit and active and want to work.
• I feel I still have plenty to offer in terms of expertise and energy.

 

TAEN – The Age and Employment Network works to promote an effective job market that serves the needs of people in mid and later life.

 

Take part in TAEN’s Survey of Jobseekers aged 50+   http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TAENSurvey

Tell us your experiences of job searching, the questions you were asked and the support you received.

People should not be forced out at 50 plus. Help us to argue for better support for older jobseekers. 

Comments

[mike]

Although this is an encouraging article I do wonder how realistic it is. I am in my forties and cannot find work and I have recently studied a degree in engineering. It is very disappointing so much effort not recognized. The article suggests courses such as Learn Direct but if a degree in engineering doesn't cut it what use is a lightweight course like those (and I am not meaning to offend). The reality out there is so different from someones perception sat at a computer thinking fuzzy warm positive thoughts. I wish it wasn't though. The employers want job ready people mainly and looking very short term. If you are older trying to change careers you have little chance it seems.

[martin a garrett]

Hello
next week i'll be sixty and have been out of work for five years. five years. How does that happen? at first i was confident i would soon get a job, after eighteen months, i thought, what's going on here? i should have had an offer by now. three years and one realises that something within society has changed. or does the change lie closer to home?
"SHIRKER"? if only.
remain positive, yes, but realism should play its part. Why employ an older person when a young, attractive, vibrant, healthy person is available. a younger wife or husband or partner? ha ha you choose. the country chose two younger men at the last election, choosing men in their forties and sacking the fifty plus. it's not just me.
age is playing its part, wrinkly, balding, shaky.
But hey, i can lie with the best of them.
greetings

[Simon]

We who are over 50 appreciate the efforts and input this article represents, but sadly the answers given don't work.
Employers can see when you are hedging, by not telling your age. They can see that there are gaps in your C.V if you are trying to hide the amount of experience one might have. They can hear when you are covering yourself in trying to be eager to get job, when employer knows direct boss is a 25 year old ambitious kid who will have the attitude Not you to having older employee with loads of experience. It is not you who needs to prove you can work with younger people it is the younger bosses who need to prove they can work with older employees.
If you you show too much experience , then you show you are a threat. If you hide your experience, then you are accused of lying. It is a no win situation.
The age of acceptance seems to be lowering month by month. At age 55, I feel I am being treated like people were 75 when I was 35, I am now regarded as far too old.
As mature experienced workers, we do not job hunt. We stay and need job security. We are loyal and prepared to work as part of team but we expect to be respected not deliberately mistreated to get one over on us. We understand respect and will give it where it is due. And reject it where it is not forthcoming.

[mary]

Regrettably I have to agree with Mikes comments. Im 56 and not one Employer will entertain me.

[Deborah]

Well done Simon some excellent points. I have only been applying for jobs for a relatively short amount of time but am already seeing the no win situation.