AI vs. Advisor: Winning the Executive Career Game with the Human Touch
Executives face a multitude of challenges when it comes to managing their careers. With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and its increasing integration into
Will I work again?
Am I too old to be hired?
Will any employer take the time to see—let alone value—what I have to bring to the table?
These questions are all too familiar to millions of older job seekers.
Sadly, ageism is alive and well. It's not just folks in their 50s who face it; it's happening to folks in their 40s, too. Age discrimination tends to occur more in industries where the work performed is physical in nature, such as construction or manufacturing, but it isn't as widespread in other industries as it once was.
Job application details and background checks inadvertently provide employers with enough data about candidates to estimate their age. And unfortunately the wealth of personal data available on the Internet reveals not just age, but many other personal facts, should a hiring manager or employer want to know such things.
But here's the silver lining in the ageism cloud: As the labor market is flooded with older job seekers, some employers have come to recognize their unique value. Older workers generally need less training, can hit the ground running in a new role, and can contribute in multiple functions within an organization. Such "multipurpose" workers offer employers the opportunity to fill more than one role with a single candidate, thus saving hiring and payroll expenses while bolstering efficiency and productivity.
The good news is that there are a number of strategies that 40-year-old+ workers can implement to help reduce the impact of potential discrimination, boost their employability, and capitalize on the value they offer budget-constrained companies:
While ageism may be a reality, it doesn't have to be yours. By preparing a personal anti-discrimination strategy composed of one or more of the suggestions shared above and executing that strategy on a weekly basis, you can shorten your job search and land a role that enables you to contribute your considerable experience in a workplace that welcomes you.
Executives face a multitude of challenges when it comes to managing their careers. With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and its increasing integration into
BlueSteps Career Advisor Spotlight Interview: Empowering Executives with Kathryn In our quest to bring you the most insightful voices in career coaching, BlueSteps is thrilled