Until we inhabit a world where ageism ceases to exist, second-best for more experienced people in the workforce may be to project an X-factor I call agelessness.
I define agelessness as a vibe that does not shout your age. Instead, it shouts growth mindset, engagement in the world, and openness. Of course, hopefully, by the time you are of a certain age when you want to appear ageless, you’ve also accumulated a rich store of wisdom and groundedness that is your foundation.
If you’re ageless, no one thinks about your age. Unless it is to wonder, “How old do you think s/he is?” and then be unable to answer.
Here are five very tactical actions (a couple of which may sound crazy!) that you can take to up that ageless X-factor:
Drop your keys. You don’t need to run marathons or participate in Tough Mudders, but you should demonstrate the ability to work hard and quickly (without a nap!). I recently heard about a highly experienced exec who makes a point of dropping his keys during every job interview…precisely so he can very quickly pick them up. This puts his energy and reflexes on display.
Get a stylist. Dress for success. Success, that is, in a young company. No one expects you to wear hoodies and Allbirds, but how you dress reveals something about how you think of yourself. Go for age-appropriate but current. Department stores like Nordstrom offer free stylist services, or try out a Stitch Fix stylist. Then, check out the dress code at a specific company by sitting in the parking lot a few days before the interview and observing employees’ dress.
Be meme-literate. It’s important to have the generational awareness to keep cultural references relevant. Continual quoting from ‘80s movies may not go well. YouTube is your friend, as is Reddit’s home page with popular posts. Stay up on what’s hot on Netflix. You’ll be ready to chime in with the work chatter.
Boost your social presence. You’ll need at least a small presence on social media, at a minimum on LinkedIn. Having no account at all feels, well, pretty antiquated. You can use the free plans for Buffer or Hootsuite to thoughtfully craft posts and schedule them. Position yourself as a thought leader by writing. Show your fun side with gifs. Spend time building your social networks.
Update your tech skills. No one expects you to clean up the code on the company’s app (unless you’re applying for that role). But you should have basic skills in the obvious realms: documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and messaging. Then, invest in learning the latest platforms (Slack, anyone?): Certifications in specific technologies can only enhance your credibility.
Certainly, if you’re in job search mode, this X-factor should be top of mind. But even if you’re not, it’s a good idea to periodically do an “ageless audit” and make any course adjustments. No matter your motivation, being ageless just plain feels good!