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REBECCA KUZINS

Staff Reporter

If you’re over 40 and in the market for a new job, sporting a nose ring or dropping words like “cool” and “rad” won’t impress a prospective boss during an interview.

It’s far more important to appear energetic than to pretend you’re 25.

Job counselors and recruiters say that many employers don’t mind hiring more seasoned workers because their level of experience and maturity can be prized commodities. But the hardest sell for those older applicants can be convincing employers they have the requisite vitality and enthusiasm.

“Sometimes our clients say, ‘I’m 53 years old and no one wants to hire me,’ ” said Jay Soloway, Southern California operations director for Drake Beam Morin, a national placement firm. “It’s better to approach job-hunting saying, ‘I have a barrel full of experience and people are just dying to hire me.’ If you believe you are valuable, this will come across to an interviewer. If you believe you’re ashamed of your age, this comes across as well.”

Brad Taft, senior vice president of the Right Management Consultants employment agency, said older job seekers have plenty of selling points.

“You’re not washed up at 40. You’re bringing a wealth of experience, strong skills, knowledge and abilities to the job. You have a work ethic and loyalty that may not be shared by younger employees.”

Dianne Sundby, a Beverly Hills career psychologist, conducts mock job interviews with clients to help them convey vitality. She advises clients not to speak in monotone or sound uncertain.

“No one wants someone on staff who’s a downer,” she said. “Don’t hem and haw during the interview.”

Body language is a prime indicator of energy. Sundby said applicants should engage an interviewer by making eye contact and sitting forward in their chairs instead of slumping or leaning back.

Still, all the energy in the world won’t compensate for a lack of solid skills. “You can’t be old and charming and have no skills and get work,” said employment counselor Jocelyn Lighthill, who runs a support group for older workers at Jewish Vocational Services.

Because many support group members are in their 60s and 70s and have never worked on a computer or used the Internet, Jewish Vocational Services provides introductory training courses in those areas. Counselors also encourage clients to seek additional instruction.

While such skills are essential for job seekers of any age, they’re especially important for older workers, who often must convince an employer they are not afraid of technology and are willing to adapt to the changing demands of their industry.

Such skills should be highlighted on resumes along with specific work experience and accomplishments.

Richard Holt, vice president of professional services for placement firm Lee Hecht Harrison, also advises older workers to eliminate any unnecessary dates on their resume.

They definitely shouldn’t give away their age by listing the year they graduated from college, unless they’ve gone back to school recently. And the listing of past jobs shouldn’t begin with dates of employment. It’s more important to detail accomplishments first, then place the dates at the end of the entry.

In addition, don’t list jobs held more than 15 years ago, unless a position was especially relevant to the position being sought.

“We don’t feel a resume has to list every job you’ve had in your lifetime, especially if the positions are not relevant to the job you (want) now,” Taft said. “A resume is a tool, an advertisement for you to get a job.”

While preparing for an interview, research the firm to get an idea of the types of employees hired. Do workers span a wide range of ages?

“Find a workplace that matches your style,” said Lighthill. “In some workplaces, there’s an incredible age diversity. Mature workers should seek those places out.”

During the interview, job seekers should explain what they can do for the firm by giving examples of accomplishments at other companies. In addition, applicants should show flexibility by talking about past jobs that required them to adapt and change their mindset.

Lighthill said many older job seekers run the risk of appearing overqualified in the eyes of a prospective employer.

“You have to change this perception,” she said. “You have to tell the boss during an interview that there will be things on this job that will be new to you, that you are prepared to learn something and get something out of it.”

Lighthill also advised job hunters to stay as flexible as possible on salary.

“Negotiate a salary that’s relevant to the place you’re seeking to work,” she said. “If you made $100,000 at another job, and the place you’re looking at now only pays $60,000, be prepared to earn $60,000.”

Last, but not least, applicants should take pains to dress appropriately. Employment counselors say it’s ridiculous to try to look 25. But on the other hand, job seekers don’t want to appear too drab or dowdy.

“Basic grooming is very important,” said Timothy R. Chrisman of Chrisman & Co., which recruits employees for the financial services industry. “If your shoes aren’t shined and you go into the interview, then you’re stupid, regardless of how old you are.”

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