On the Penguin USA Blog, Robin Ryan writes Don't look old if you want to get hired (January 22).
Her first rule "the first thing I tell my over-40 clients: #1 DON'T LOOK OLD! You must be perceived as the person who is the solution to the employer's problem of whom to hire."
Second she suggests that "a surprising fact that most boomers fail to realize is that their
ATTITUDE is a major stumbling block. Too many mature workers show up
looking weatherworn, tired, defeated, desperate, just plain OLD and
worn out. You must have an enthusiastic attitude that radiates energy
that insures you can do the job."
As for the resume part "You need to have a resume full of accomplishments. Keep it focused on the last 10 years, don't go back further than that."
Is too much experience a negative.
I agree with her on not showing up looking defeated and worn out.
On the other hand, I don't think being over 40 classifies you as old.
Being Just Over 50 and Not Dead Yet myself, despite being plugged in the online community and current trends, I consider myself full of energy most days yet I cannot hide the few wrinkles I have and do not see a year round tan as a plus.
What does looking old mean?
Should hiring be based on appearances rather than substance?
Lucy Kellaway takes a somewhat contrarian view as far as men as concerned with Clooney won't do in business (January 25, 2010).
She first notes:
"In continental Europe, corporate life is stuffed with matinee idols.
There is Alessandro Benetton, Wolfgang Bernhard at Daimler, Bernard
Arnault at LVMH, Henri de Castries at Axa, François-Henri Pinault at
PPR – all are distractingly good-looking, and there are many more where
they came from.
But in the UK and the US, the pickings are very
slim indeed. There are a few dishy entrepreneurs. Michael Dell is quite
handsome in a square-jawed sort of way. Richard Branson has – or had –
something. But in mainstream corporate life in the UK and the US, the
ugly mug rules."
Lucy then offers some explanations:
"The first is that men in business start handsome enough but by the time
they are big enough to get noticed they are old and bald and have eaten
too many aeroplane meals.
there are easier and more glamorous paths to success than a long
arduous climb up the ladder in cement or insurance. Instead they go
into investment banking, show business, media and the law, where looks
– and the arrogance that goes with them – are admired."
Robin Ryan is the author of Over 40, You're Hired (cover above)
Not feeling old and craggy for Monday Work Etiquette #126
Previously: Work and Play, Thought Provoking Word Posters by Vincent Perrottet