SEPTEMBER 11th, 2025 - BY HELEN SANCHEZ

As we all know, job hunting when you are considered ‘older’ comes with a unique set of hurdles. Older job seekers can face outdated stereotypes, tech bias, and the ‘overqualified’ moniker.

You have decades of experience, wisdom, and resilience under your belt. Still, somehow, it feels like the job market is tilted toward those considered ‘digital natives’, those considered ‘cultural fits’, and those who exhibit ‘limitless energy’. Ageism is undoubtedly real and exhibited often, but it does not have to define your journey. You can level the playing field and sometimes tilt it in your favor.

Although you can face bias, be considered overqualified, or have a cultural mismatch, you should not allow self-doubt to lead you to question your worth. You should always be ready, willing, and able to emphasize your value.

So, how do you prepare to be your best self? You can take steps to always be at your best and confident.

Preparation

● First, you must always ensure that you keep your skills updated. Invest in learning the most current tools and techniques in your industry.

● Review your digital presence and keep it professional, thorough, and updated.

● Use a classic resume format to highlight your professional skills, soft skills, achievements, and, ideally, your previous 10-15 years of work history.

● In describing your achievements, be sure to quantify some of your accomplishments with specific metrics and results.

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Interview Strategies

● Be prepared by practicing your interview skills. You can have a friend interview you, record it on your phone, and review your performance. Would you hire yourself?

● Research the company for a mission statement, news updates related to new projects or products, expansion, etc., and become familiar with what they do.

● Prepare specific examples of your achievements that you can share as a story. Being a storyteller will help you stand out and help the recruiter remember you.

● Emphasize your adaptability and continuous learning.

● Also, be prepared to highlight how your real-world experience is an asset, bringing stability and perspective.

● Be prepared to ask questions relevant to the company, industry, and position.

● Always emphasize that your value is relevant to their needs. How might your experience solve a problem for them?

Follow-Up

● The day after your interview, send the hiring manager and/or recruiter an email note thanking them for their time. Try to reference something memorable from the interview that relates to the company and emphasizes your interest and how you would contribute. Remember to mention that you look forward to hearing from them.

● Ask them about their timeline during the interview, and if you do not hear back from them within that time frame, send another quick note about a week later, briefly expressing your interest and excitement.

● If you feel there was common ground and the interview seemed to go well, but you do not get the job, send a note thanking them again for their time and asking them if they might share some feedback with you for your improvement in securing a job offer in the future.

Always remember that your experience is comprised of insights, problem-solving skills, and professional judgment gained through your years in the workforce. Consider your experience your competitive edge.

These are some simple ideas for you to put in place to strengthen your job search results. Being confident about your skills, experience, and suitability for the job is essential. Job searches are not easy, but it is easy to begin doubting yourself after some rejections. Remember that everyone experiences rejection, whether they are young, old, or in between. But if you stay focused and commit to the work of finding a job, you will find more success.

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Go to my website, Tanagui LLC, to download a free Job Search Tips & Career Planning Workbook, and book a free consultation to learn about our Building Your Legacy Season course.

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About the Author: Helen Sanchez is Idonea’s Talent Empowerment Strategist, bringing over 30 years of experience in recruiting and career guidance. As the founder of Tanagui, LLC, she is dedicated to helping women over 40 navigate ageism in the workplace and secure meaningful careers. With a background in Women & Gender Studies and African American Studies, Helen is an advocate for intergenerational workplace equity and a passionate speaker, writer, and career coach. Connect with her on LinkedIn.