Boomer? Looking for a job? Good luck with that
July 30, 2008

If you’re a baby boomer and you’re thinking of looking for a new job, I have a few words for you: good luck, sucker.

I’m a boomer, and I’m always looking for a new job. I’m not sure why; I mean, I already have a job and it doesn’t agree with me. It’s a huge time sink, and makes it difficult to accomplish things I aspire to – things like sleeping until noon, or spending the day sitting on the deck drinking espresso and throwing rocks at the neighbor’s cat. The upside to being employed is that it does allow me to pursue some of my other interests, such as eating regularly and sleeping indoors.

Anyway, for the job-seeking boomer, times are tough. I just read an article about how hard it is for people in that age group who are searching for jobs. Lots of them are looking for work for the first time in years, or even decades. Some have been laid off. Still others are coming out of retirement because their nest eggs have shrunk (that happens to me, too – though usually when I’m coming out of the pool).

You don’t have to take my word for it, though; just listen to the AARP Public Policy Institute. They recently reported that workers 55 and older take an average of 21 weeks to find a job, about five weeks longer than younger job seekers. Most of that extra time is spent searching for their reading glasses, walking from room trying to remember why they got up in the first place, or throwing rocks at the neighbor’s cat.

For the job-seeking boomer, the landscape has changed, and what worked when the boomers were young and starry-eyed often doesn’t cut it any more. Plus, many employers are now drug-testing job candidates, which weeds out many of those who still like to get starry-eyed on the weekends.

One of the most critical parts of the job search is the interview, and that can be especially intimidating to workers over 50. A good resume may get a candidate in the front door but the interview is often make-or-break time. Here are some valuable tips for the job-searching boomer.

First and foremost, brush off that chip on your shoulder. Even if your interviewer is younger than you, always treat him or her with respect, answer questions with a “yes, sir” or no, ma’am” and keep remarks like “goddam punk kid” to a minimum (even if your interviewer is a goddam punk kid which, considering your age, is almost a given).

Also, dispel stereotypes about older workers by not being the typical older worker. Be flexible, and try to be current on new trends. Use the word “totally” as much as possible, and drop subtle references to how much time you spend on the Interwebs.

Updating your image is also a good idea. Wash and dry your interview outfit in the hottest water possible, then sleep in it the night before. That, combined with not shampooing or combing your hair communicates that you are either very hip, or homeless and possibly schizophrenic. Either one will give you a big leg up in today’s competitive job market.

One more note about appearance: unless you are applying for a job in a remake of “The 10 Commandments,” beards are a bad idea -- especially on women.

After the interview, send your interviewer a note of thanks the same day. In this day and age of e-mails, a hand-written note on a piece of nice stationery will make you stand out and be remembered. A note written with a quill pen on a piece of vellum will do the same thing, but probably not in the way you want.