5 Tips for Getting Around Age Discrimination in a Job Search

5 Tips for Getting Around Age Discrimination in a Job Search 5 Tips for Getting Around Age Discrimination in a Job Search 4 Being pro-active may be one of the most beneficial stances you can take to combat age discrimination in a job search. In a recent article, Career Rocketeer outlined ways to counter age discrimination in the hiring process. Work not only to demonstrate all the ways that youre a great candidate for flexible work and other job opportunities, but look for ways to highlight how your age might be a positive attribute, rather than a negative one. Here are five tips to get around age discrimination in a job search: Get behind the reasons for no. Find out whats holding you back and why people may be saying no to your job application. As the Career Rocketeer article notes, put yourself in the employers position and assess your job application from their point of view. One tip: be forward-looking! Your resume should certainly list past accomplishments, but make clear to potential employers how they will benefit from your talents in the future. Push a few boundaries. If youre worried about age discrimination in your job search, now may be a great time to figure out (if you havent already), what you really  want to do in your career. Exploring  steps to successfully change careers  and figuring out where you want to go next can give you greater control and make your job search less age-focused and more goal-oriented. Set realistic salary expectations. Brush up on your negotiation skills to get the best salary and benefits for you. Even though you may have many years in the workforce, dont necessarily assume that will put you at the higher end of the salary scale. Do your research to find a realistic salary range  for your targeted job and, when the time comes, negotiate accordingly. Skills, skills, and- oh yes- skills. Stay on top of sought-after skills and trends in your industry, and look for courses offered by local colleges, as well as free courses offered online by major universities. Knowing the forecast for  skills that will be in demand  in the coming years will offer you guidance on how to bolster your resume. Work to stay upbeat. Especially if youre an older worker (which some HR professionals categorize as anyone age 35 and up!), youre probably well aware of the real and potential hurdles you face. Do your best to keep the possibility of age discrimination in your job search from bringing you down! Staying positive in your job hunt will help you stay motivated for the long haul, thereby increasing your chances for success. Readers, have you encountered age discrimination in a job search? Tell us your experience, and how you handled it!