Posted on: Monday, May 31, 2004

AT WORK
Young, old job seekers have it tough, but for different reasons

By Andrea Kay
Gannett News Service

From the outside looking in, it's easy to see why some mature workers have a tough time getting a new job. The same goes for some younger folks entering the workforce.

Standing in a retail store recently, I observed a 20-ish looking woman enter in slippers and sleeveless top — her midriff peeking out — and declare to a clerk: "I'm here for a job interview. I'm 45 minutes early."

I don't care how casual the place, dressing like you're heading to the mall with friends is no way to make a good first impression, let alone get a job.

And why would you show up 45 minutes early? If you want to scope out the place before the interview, that's one thing. Do it under cover and before the day of the interview. When you're arriving for the interview, coming 10 minutes early is about right.

Maybe it's just me, but I can't understand half of what some of these fast-talking young folks say. Like the young woman who left me a voice-mail message asking for insight into why employers aren't returning her calls.

"This is Amy Something-Or-Another," she said with the speed of lightning. She left a phone number, which I played back six times, but never quite understood. If I ever get a chance to talk to her I will suggest that no one calls back because they can't understand you when you talk 150 miles per hour.

The casualness with which many young people speak can also be off-putting. I recently called the main number at a major university where a young person answered the phone. All I could decipher was "U. of Something." When I asked if I had reached the university I wanted, she said, "Yep." When was the last time you called an organization and the operator said "yep"?

As far as the mature workforce goes, they may speak more slowly, dress more appropriately and understand proper decorum, but some have deeply engrained habits that are getting in their way.

Take the nicely dressed 50-something man who came to discuss his frustration in looking for new employment.

He entered my office and within 15 seconds was leaning forward in his chair, pointing his finger as he spoke, telling me how much he could do and had accomplished and how no one appreciated him.

Obviously driven, dedicated and hard-working, he wanted me to tell him what he was doing that was turning off employers.

All I knew was that I was feeling like I wanted him to back off and give me some air. He kept telling me he was all about building relationships. But he came across as aggressive, impatient and not giving a hoot about connecting to the person across from him.

He was concerned about an interview he was going to have with a woman. When he referred to women as "gals," I suggested he refer to females as women, just as he had referred to males as men.

"You must be one of those women libbers," he snapped back.

No wonder he was having trouble. He may have put on the right clothes and had a strong work record, but by trying to put me in my place through sarcastic ridicule, he was showing his true colors. And you can bet that employers pick up the same message.

Whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned worker, if you're not getting anywhere in your job search, it's worth asking someone how you're coming across. Ask them to bring up even what may seem like a small thing — because that's what will end up being the big stuff that hurts you.

Career consultant Andrea Kay is the author of "Greener Pastures: How to Find a Job in Another Place," "Interview Strategies That Will Get You the Job You Want" and "Resumes That Will Get You the Job You Want." Send questions to her at andrea@andreakay.com.