Yesterday’s Baby-Boomers, today’s mature workers, may be facing for the first time a bias towards younger workers. Good News! They don’t have to.

Is there a bias towards the younger worker? If so, then our one-time “Baby Boomers”, today’s mature worker, may for the first time be facing age discrimination, yes? Well...only if you can prove it. The question then becomes ‘what good would it do you if you did...a job with that organization? Would you want that? NOT! Okay, here’s the deal: The key for the mature professional conducting a job search, according to Randolph L. Stevens, Founder and President of R.L. Stevens & Associates, a 28-year old full service career firm, is authenticating relevancy, fit and adaptability; and when you can do that better than the next person, you get hired. So, put your energy into defining your unique “value-mix” as Randy Stevens calls it – your mix of talent, experience, skills, core competencies, etc. you know, your Branding – and illustrate how that mix will benefit an organization.

Workplace marketability is almost always age-neutral. If the mature worker does not successfully convey the right message or demonstrate the right proposition – how his or her value-mix can benefit the employer, he or she may feel a bias; however, it is a bias towards the more relevant, better-fit, more adaptable candidate, not necessarily a bias against age. Prove your value and benefit and you’ll be hired!

Here are 10 Tips for the Baby Boomer seeking a career or industry change, or a transition into a new role:

1. Use your marketing letters and documentation to show employers a history of growth in and dedication to professional development.
2. Prove your continued intellectual vitality: Be prepared to outline completion of recent coursework, certifications, programs and other skill enhancements relevant to today’s business challenges and needs.
3. Show how you stay on top of technology trends.
4. Develop a “Webfolio” to show cutting-edge market awareness.
5. Be knowledgeable on the use of the Internet and Windows-based programs.
6. Eliminate everything that makes you appear older and possible out-of-step: Update your physical appearance, wardrobe and communications skills.
7. Demonstrate your marketplace knowledge (i.e. market/industry changes and trends).
8. Be knowledgeable of the day-to-day challenges (problems, concerns & opportunities) employers face and link them to you as a solution-provider.
9. Demonstrate your adaptability and flexibility regarding hours and compensation: Consider proposing alternatives (i.e. project work, contract work or consulting).
10. Entertain the idea of working part-time for multiple employers rather than just one. (Demonstrated value could lead to permanent positions)

The REAL Deal: Employers weed-out job candidates whose skills are out-dated or who exhibit low energy or little flexibility, or any combination of these. Some may call it ‘age discrimination'. I call it fielding candidates for the most relevant marketability. The operative word here is “relevancy”.

I assure you, if you follow the 10 tips above, you will discover that there is a far more interesting and robust job market for the mature worker than you may have imagined. It’s really up to you!

Hope this helps!