Readers Respond: How Do You Sustain Relevance and Gain Respect as an Older, Experienced Employee?

As an older, more experienced employee, you bring notable strengths to any workplace. Yet, sometimes younger employees or employers see your strengths as liabilities – or they fail to see your strengths at all. They don’t comprehend that your experience, life knowledge and longevity add much to workplace success through the diversity that your age and experiences bring to the table. It’s up to us to change their opinion or, at least, make them aware that age and experience deserve respect. How do you maintain your relevance, display your strengths, and obtain respect as an older, more experienced employee in your workplace?

See more Reader Responses to additional thought-provoking questions.

older employees

As a person who has been employed for over 35 years, I find it harder to get hired even with all I know. I dress sharp and stay fit, but as I walk out the door with the feeling that I got the job, I am surprised to find out in a few days that they chose someone else. One comment was that they chose someone who fit the office better. I used to always get the job. I need some advice as to what are employers looking for. I would actually like to interview the employer first as I am the one that needs to feel they are a good person to work for. I have left jobs for the very reason that I cannot see myself having to spend the rest of my life with this person. Getting back to now it's harder to find the next job. I gave myself a month last time when putting in my notice and am still only working part time. Any advice would be welcomed. (Problem is that, in this job market, it's hard for anyone to find a new job and people are staying with their current employer until they find their next job. And, people over 40 report that they experience a kind of subtle discrimination. Read the article that is linked at the top of this page. I have some career info on this site that you can access on the left column of the homepage. We also have a job search site that is packed with information. A post on the associated forum might draw some responses as well. Best wishes on your search.)

—Guest Eilleen

Listen

I spend a lot of time listening to my younger colleagues. It's so important to them that their thoughts and ideas are respected. It's important at any age, but the younger employees really seem to thrive when older coworkers listen. Plus, I learn a lot about what's going on in their lives. I don't know if it makes me more relevant, but I think it makes them feel respected.

—Guest Sarah Middlin

Gaining Respect

When experiencing age discrimination I am indignant. I seek self expression without returning harm for harm. I endeavored to speak out about the particular offenses in order to promote understanding to the best of my ability to do so. If I am left in a state of confusion and frustration, I clarify the issues in my own mind and communicate with everyone with the capacity to understand. I test my own perceptions against the sounding board of another person's experience and judgment. I make every effort to test whether my perception is the correct one for the situation I find troubling or incredulous. I spend much time considering how best to handle a difficult circumstance. When I do speak out, I moderate my views and hope to reconcile and to promote mutual understanding, When all else fails I am a strong advocate of long-tested views. I believe in the Davy Crockett philosophy: assure strong conviction and proceed from there.

—Guest Richard Colley