I am too old to get hired: How to keep your confidence high

Are you feeling discouraged about your job prospects due to age-related concerns? You're not alone. Many people in their 40s, 50s, and beyond face similar doubts when searching for a new career opportunity. However, it's essential to remember that age is just a number, and with the right mindset, skills, and strategies, you can overcome these obstacles and land your dream job.

Debunking age-related myths

But this couldn't be further from the truth! I've seen many candidates who have successfully landed jobs by focusing on their skills, enthusiasm and chronological age (which can actually be an asset). Remember, age is not a barrier to success. I do say that there's no-one willing to find work and purpose who is not going to find anything!

The potential is within ourselves, we are designed for achieving a mission here. Many things don't happen overnight, finding a good job definitely needs motivation, dedication to the search process and willingness to learn. The effort definitely will worth it, just be calm and relaxed that the Universe will align things for you!

The power of transferable skills

When considering a career change or job transition, it's easy to get caught up in the idea that you need to start from scratch. However, your previous experiences, skills and expertise are valuable assets that can be transferred to new roles. Take time to reflect on your work history, identifying transferable skills such as:

• Leadership abilities: even if you didn't directly lead a team, you can consider coaching new team members, interns or students as part of leadership.
• Problem-solving techniques: not everyone is a good problem solver. First you need technical expertise, secondly you need willingness to help. Last but not least, you cannot solve everything on your own so you leveraged your communication skills and the network that you built. Learn here about the importance of networking
• Communication skills: as mentioned above, having good communication skills will help you anywhere in any position. I can't stress enough the importance of communicating well, clear and concise! Mastering this means you are also better as a person since you diminish your narcissistic (selfish) nature for the greater good.
• Attention to detail: have to mention this one since it helped me a lot, because I consider myself to pay attention to details and also not being a nitpicker. In my case, this skill served me well to spot problems, misunderstandings and inconsistencies early on. Therefore, the processes got improved at high cost efficiency without affecting end-users.

Staying focused in a sea of job sites

In today's digital age, it's tempting to spend hours scouring job sites like Monster, Indeed, Dice, and CareerBuilder. While these resources can be helpful, they can also lead to frustration if you're not strategic about your search. To avoid getting lost in the sea of job postings:

• Set a timer for 30 minutes and focus on searching
• Use specific keywords related to your skills and experience
• Prioritize quality over quantity – aim for 2-3 relevant jobs per day

I strongly advice you not to apply for a position if you don't feel like fitting in. Applying just for the sake of applying will most of the times lead to frustration. 😟

Confidence boosters

When faced with age-related doubts, it's essential to maintain confidence in yourself and your abilities. Here are some tips to help you stay positive:

• Celebrate small victories along the way (e.g., completing a challenging project or landing an informational interview)
• Surround yourself with supportive people who believe in you
• Focus on what you can control – your attitude, skills, and actions
• Don't omit to connect with people seeking for work, even if they are younger! Learning is a two-way street and you can learn a lot!

Try to engage in an outdoor activity such as biking, hiking or even running. I found that if I do sports I have a confidence boost allowing me to move mountains out of the place 😀

Remember, age is just a number, so keep yourself healthy. As a Romanian saying goes: "Man learns as long as he lives!".

Conclusion

Remember, age is not a barrier to success, and it's essential to maintain confidence in yourself as you navigate the job market. By focusing on transferable skills, staying focused during your search, and celebrating small victories, you'll be well-equipped to overcome age-related doubts and land your dream job. Keep your body and mind active. This way you won't feel the pressure of aging!