Wary of Age-ism in the Executive Job Market?

Manyof my executive clients express concern about their longevity in the workplace as is generally apparent at least to a degree in their executive resume. A recent article on Weddles.com discusses how to best work around the issue of age discrimination. It would seem that the trend is favorable for older workers, in that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics observes that the participation of older workers in the workforce is increasing (unemployment among those 55 and older decreased to 3.4% in 2005, from 4.1% in 1985). However, many still find themselves passed over when the final cut is made. This is because, as we all know, statistics can be deceiving. While the strict percentage unemployed went down, the number of candidates looking for work in that age category went up, way up: by nearly 40%!

It's not a lack of jobs that is the source of the problem. There's a virtual war for talent going on out there. So what gives? It would seem that age discrimination is alive and well, despite legislation outlawing it and the fact that many enlightened employers have come to realize the true value of seasoning and experience in employees, especially those at higher level, strategic positions. Yet research shows that age bias often begins as early as 45 years of age!

The article suggests 4 excellent strategies to position yourself as strongly as possible to combat age bias. To paraphrase their suggestions in brief:

1) Keep your skills at the forefront of your profession. Dedicate yourself to state-of-the-art knowledge acquisition as a way of life.

2) Market yourself based on the ROI you can offer the employer, results you can deliver, not "X" number of years of experience. Make sure your executive resume writer forcefully describes the contributions you have made and can make going forward.

3) Position yourself as invaluable by working above and beyond the call of duty... step outside the parameters of your job description.

4) Keep physically fit and look as youthful as you can. Exude vitality, stamina, and a "can-do" attitude.

When you think about it, these should be steps EVERY employment candidate should take, not only those fearing potential age discrimination!

New College Grad in Your Family? Good News...

According to an article in the May 1st Christian Science Monitor, "The lean job market college graduates faced in the first half of the decade is gone, and companies are upping the ante to obtain the best talent." Some of my executive clients in recent years have been rather appalled at the apparent ROI obtained on the many thousands of dollars they had invested in their sons' and daughters' educations. Many were graduating only to find it nearly impossible to find a job using their new degree, and some would end up flipping burgers.

Apparently that situation is now changing. It's now a buyer's market for graduates seeking jobs, with hiring growth in many sectors of the economy and employers expecting to hire 13.8% more new graduates overall this year than last. This is particularly true for graduates who have been savvy enough to gain some experience through internships, with engineering and financial services being especially "hot" categories this year.

Starting salaries are on the rise, too.

NACE reports these majors with the highest average starting salary and these fastest growing occupations:

Majors with highest average starting salary:
Chemical engineering: $55,900
Computer engineering: $54,877
Electrical engineering and communications engineering: $52,899
Mechanical engineering: $50,672
Computer science: $50,046

Fastest growing occupations:
Home health aides: $8.81 per hour
Network systems and data communications analysts: $60,000
Medical assistants: $24,610
Physician assistants: $69,410
Computer applications software engineers: $74,980

Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)

Of course, none of this means that grads can afford to be lazy in their job search. Make sure your new grad leverages all of the online and traditional job search methods, with particular attention to networking. As Pat Garrott, Associate Director of Purdue University's career center says, "In order to actually get the job, you have to use your network."