Getting your player ready...
Dear J.T. & DALE: I’m tired of age discrimination. I’m in my 50s and have good years left. When did “overqualified” become such a bad thing? Any tips on fighting back?
– Lawrence
J.T.: We get questions like these so often that I put together a series of short videos to help. If you go to my website, CareerHMO.com, and click on the “Free Tools” tab, you’ll find “9 Ways Seasoned Workers Can Improve Their Job Search.”
DALE: It’s always good to see J.T. in action, and in the videos she’s joined by two other career coaches, one with plenty of “seasoning.” As for “tips,” I think they flow from thinking through the answer to this question: “What are the traits of a great employee?” Every manager wants someone who has (1) energy and enthusiasm, who is a (2) team player, (3) quick learner and (4) NOT high-maintenance. Many managers have doubts about how senior employees rate on all four.
J.T.: If you’re hearing “overqualified,” that’s telling you something very important about how you’re coming across. When you hear “overqualified,” what they probably mean is “overpowering” or “overselling yourself” or maybe “overconfident.” The upshot: You are coming across too strong.
DALE: Agreed. The “overqualified” employee usually is the “I’ve-seen-it-all” employee, which turns out to be someone who takes pride in not learning. That’s how older workers can seem, especially to young managers. The solution is to make sure you ask questions in the interview, seeking the opinions of the hiring manager. J.T.: But be careful not to come on too strong, as if leading an interrogation.
DALE: Your goal is to be seen as curious and eager to learn. That’s another way to be a team player and to show energy. Ask a great question, like my all-time favorite, “What kind of people do best here?” Then, really listen to the answer.
J.T.: That’s the way you show respect, particularly when meeting with a younger manager. Part of the wisdom you bring to the workplace is the ability to communicate with people of all types and all four generations in the workplace. DALE: Finally, Lawrence, you asked about “fighting back.” Don’t. Embrace the New Workforce, welcoming the chance to work with younger generations, and you’ll find that what seemed to be age discrimination turned out to be reasonable doubts when assessing any new hire.
J.T. & DALE: BEST OF THE MONTH
J.T.: We like to pass along great career resources, and today it’s the new book “The Ultimate Guide to Internships,” by Eric Woodard, who’s director of internships and fellowships at the Smithsonian Institution and has created internship programs at the White House and the U.S. Senate.
DALE: Don’t be dissuaded by the book’s subtitle, “100 Steps to Get a Great Internship and Thrive in It.” The author does not suggest a hundred-step program; instead, he presents a hundred ideas. My favorite: Woodard points out that many companies do not have internship programs, and trying to establish one seems like more work than current employees have time for. Who could do that work? Yes, you, the new intern. You pitch the company and make starting a program your first assignment.
J.T.: The author also spends a good deal of time on how to make the internship a success. He gives the example of “Michelle,” who takes the initiative to go around and introduce herself to the employees who weren’t available on the interns’ tour of the offices. Woodard says of her: “Bravo – great initiative. Way to stand out from the crowd!” However, the next paragraph changes everything: “Except in Michelle’s case, she wound up shuffling into my office slurping on an iced coffee through a straw. She didn’t have a pen, she didn’t have paper – she didn’t have a card, just the coffee… Imagine instead, if Michelle had stepped forward with pen and paper in hand, ready to take notes about any cool projects I happened to need help with.”
The point is that it’s up to you to find a great internship AND to turn it into a great experience.
– Workplace consultant and career coach J.T. O’Donnell has coached, trained and mentored employees and managers on a wide variety of career-related subjects since 1994. Her book, “CAREEREALISM: The Smart Approach to A Satisfying Career” is available at JTODonnell.com. Management guru Dale Dauten has written six books and is an authority on innovation in the workplace. His latest book, “Great Employees Only: How Gifted Bossess Hire & Dehire Their Way to Success” is available at Dauten.com. copyright 2013 King Features.
