Going through an interview session with the younger generation can certainly present an entirely different set of problems for baby boomers. However, there's no need for older job seekers to get disheartened so easily. In addition to older employees having more job experience, there is also the Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
According to the Act, any kind of employment discrimination against those over 40 is illegal. Listed below are a few common interview questions based on age - and some helpful tips on how to answer or avoid them tactfully.
Addressing Retirement Issues
Questions relating to your retirement or future career plans are usually asked to candidates to determine whether the job will be used as a bridge to fill in retirement gaps. The question "what are your expectations from the job a few years down the line" is another way of asking the same question.
No matter how the interviewer puts the question, be sure that you tackle it gracefully. While it would be better to discuss the retirement issue honestly, you also need to convince the interviewer that you are looking forward to long term employment.
Salary Requirements
Although this is a tough question that definitely arises at every interview, dealing with salary issues will require skillful negotiation on your part. This question can prove to be even more difficult for older candidates with years, even decades, of expertise and experience to answer. However, in order to avoid your former income from working against you, you should make every attempt to reply in a firm but cool tone.
At first try giving a noncommittal answer - but if probed further, give a salary range. Generally, you should refrain from stating exact figures regarding your salary requirements. And, you should always let the employer give the first number.
Needless to say, do some research on the position and its salary before attending the interview.
Dealing with Competence Issues
Even though the interviewer will not (or should not) ask questions related to your health, efficiency and mental capacity directly, you will almost certainly be asked variations of these questions. For example, employers may ask if you will be able to cope with fast paced working conditions or if you are OK with working late.
Take this in a positive light and use this opportunity to reveal your skills, qualities, and enthusiasm to the interviewer with the help of the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action and Result).
Such questions also reveal details about the demands, working hours and expectations of the job.
Questions Related To Experience and Qualifications
Mature candidates often find themselves struggling to answer over-qualification questions. Questions asked may include asking why you are applying for a particular job when your qualifications and experience can secure you a better position. Knowing this, you should include only 10-15 years of experience in your resume. This is particularly true for older jobseekers with 20 years' or more experience.
When answering questions like these, stress your strengths and career achievements. Other questions that are probed in order to find out about your age can be refused, since they are illegal. However, do so in a manner that is not offensive to the interviewer.
Do you need interview tips that will practically guarantee your next job offer? This article is designed to provide you with some useful interview tips and four proven strategies for making the most of every job interview you go on. Specifics may vary from person to person; however, the following information includes helpful and important guidelines from which everyone can benefit.
It's a competitive world out there in the job market. Maybe you're not thinking about changing jobs right now, but eventually you may be searching for a new position with another company.
To follow are four proven interview tips and strategies for making the most of every job interview you go on:
Interview Tip #1: Research, research and more research. One of the surest ways to nail an interview is to find out beforehand as much as you can about your prospective employer. Go online and do a search about the company, chances are the company has its own web site that will tell you a lot such as who their customers are, what their markets are all about, what their business plans are, etc. The person interviewing you will be very impressed that you took the time and the initiative to find out as much as possible about the company you want to work for.
Interview Tip #2: Ask questions of your own. Certainly, the bulk of your interview will be spent answering questions from the person or people who may be hiring you. Yet, it's a great idea to make the conversation two-way by being prepared to ask some questions yourself. Doing so demonstrates your interest in learning more about the prospective position and how you can best fill it. Try to keep the questions positive and proactive, for example, ask something like: what role do you see my experience and talents playing in the future growth of the company?
Interview Tip #3: Put key accomplishments in your resume. Simply listing your previous job positions may not be enough. Today's corporate recruiters and prospective employers want to see results. In other words, not only what your job description was but how you took that job to a higher level. For example, maybe you saved your previous employer thousands of dollars each month by coming up with an innovative new way to ship products. Or, perhaps you contributed a great idea for a sales presentation that helped your company attract a multi-million dollar client. Put that kind of information right in your resume. Then be prepared to explain further during the actual interview.
Interview Tip #4: Be you. When you're on the interview, keep in mind that besides your experience, skills, knowledge and background, you're also being judged on your personality...how well you'll be able to get along with future co-workers, how easy you'll be to work with, and other traits. Resist the temptation to try and change your personality when interviewing because chances are you will appear rehearsed, or worse, phony. Simply be yourself, congenial, nice, and approachable. Letting the real you shine through will allow you to be more comfortable as well as natural.
Both Tony Jacowski & Sharon Mann are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Tony Jacowski has sinced written about articles on various topics from University, Six Sigma and Information Technology. Tony Jacowski is a quality analyst for The MBA Journal. Aveta Solution's Six Sigma Online offers online and certification classes for six sigma pro. Tony Jacowski's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.
Sharon Mann has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family, Home and Home Management. Sharon Mann is President of the I Hate Filing Club, a group of nearly 100,000 office professionals who hate filing but love finding new ways to become more organized.. Sharon Mann's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.