(You might like to know some interesting facts about the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967. For example, did you know that it only protects people over 40?)

Sue Shellenbarger’s recent Work & Family Mailbox column in the Wall Street Journal gave the following suggestions to allay those concerns for an applicant over 50:

1. Let them know you plan to stay with the company at least 5 years.
2. Present yourself as active and fit. (This is easier if you are actually active and fit. Go to the gym!)
3. Be prepared to negotiate your salary. (Let them know your experience really is worth more.)
4. Provide examples of new things you’ve learned or worked on. (Starting an industry blog, as mentioned in our last post, might help with this.)

She also points to a couple helpful web sites for older workers:

• Jobs4point0.com
• Workforce50.com

(The latter site is a mess to look at. Do they really understand their audience? I think that workers over 50 might appreciate a cleaner site that’s easier to navigate.)

1. Show You’re Current

This can be particularly helpful for workers who are re-entering the workforce after a few years off, or for older workers who, in spite of laws against age discrimination, may have a hard time convincing the whippersnappers reviewing their qualifications that they know a LOLcat from a YMMV.

Merely having a blog is going to demonstrate a willingness to embrace current technologies and trends, but best yet, blogging knowledgeably about the latest industry developments can impress prospective employers.

2. Industry Exposure & Networking

You’re bound to make some connections in the blogosphere if you stick around long enough and, as mentioned above, contribute content of interest. Those connections may help you find your next employer, or may even be your next employer.

This may be tough if you are looking to stay local and the industry is geographically widespread, but you can always focus your posts on a specific region or even specific companies if you are hoping to catch their attention.

3. Reveal Your Enthusiasm

Who would you want to hire, all other qualifications being equal: the competent person, or the competent person who spends time researching and writing about topics and trends in his or her field?

It reminds me of a recommendation I received for a dentist a few years back: “He talked about amazing advances in dentistry he’d just read about in the latest dentistry journal.” That’s the guy I want. He inspire confidence more than the guy who goes on and on about his latest fishing trip or golf outing.

We all want to hire people and work with people who like what they do and enjoy coming into work every day. Blogging about your field is a great way to show employers that you’re in it for more than just a paycheck. (Well, paycheck and benefits package.)

Caveats

Starting a blog can take a lot of time, and involves not just creating valuable content, but marketing it. Prospective employers may google you, but they might not–so if you want to show how current and enthusiastic you are, you’ll have to bring it up.

That said, although you may find that your efforts may not be the silver bullet that lands you the job, most people do find it rewarding an engaging.  Few people regret starting a professional blog.

Getting Started

Popular (and free!) blogging services include:

• Blogger
• WordPress

If you want your very own domain name, I can recommend osric.net, which hosts foxsuit.com and provides blog software.