You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream
C.S. Lewis
Are you over 50 and navigating the job market in Denmark? Don't let age hold you back!
Age can be a concern for expats seeking employment when relocating, especially if they are moving to a new country where cultural attitudes towards age may differ from their home country. Though ageism, or age-based discrimination, may affect foreign workers in different ways throughout their job search and career path, the Danish workforce is becoming increasingly inclusive of mature professionals like yourself. Here's why:
🇩🇰💼📈 Denmark's employment landscape is thriving for mature professionals. In 2023, over 50 wage earners neared 1 million, with an 88% employment rate for those aged 45–54. Steen Nielsen, deputy director of Dansk Industri, notes an average 30-week job hunt for ages 30-59. Compared to the USA's 54.3 weeks for older job seekers, Denmark offers swift opportunities. Last year, over 164,000 people over 50 secured new jobs, reflecting the country's dynamic labour market.
But how can you overcome biases in employers' attitudes towards ageing employees and job recruitment processes to land your next interview and secure your desired job?
1️⃣ Highlight Your Strengths: Showcase your wealth of life experience and expertise. Your maturity, stability, independence, and professionalism are invaluable assets in any workplace. Employers indicate that seniors outscore younger employees in characteristics such as social skills, loyalty, managerial skills, reliability, and the ability to cope with stress. Take that information to your advantage and make those skills visible in your social media, LinkedIn profile, CV, cover letters, interviews, and networking events.
2️⃣ Embrace Lifelong Learning: Upskill yourself with relevant certifications and workshops. Investing in continuous learning demonstrates your adaptability and eagerness to grow. Some employers fear that older employees are slower at learning new things and become anxious when it comes to developing new skills and competencies. Challenge their hesitations. Where a company believes that seniors over 50 demonstrate a “willingness to learn,” they find a greater inclination to hold onto their older employees or recruit seniors. Jensen, P. H., & Møberg, R. J. (2012)
3️⃣ Network Strategically: Don’t rely on resumes alone. Connect with senior HR recruiters, business owners, and employees in your target industry. Reach out to former colleagues, classmates, and industry contacts. Attend professional association meetings, and industry conferences where you can reconnect with old contacts and make new ones.Their insights and connections can open doors to new opportunities.
4️⃣ Be Authentic: Don't shy away from your age. Embrace your vitality and present yourself with a healthy, fresh, and confident image. Some employers have the stereotype that being a senior means you are less flexible and physically weaker than younger employees. That you may lack vitality to work in a fast paced work environment, or that you may not get along in a culture with younger workers or bosses. Your life experience and open attitude are your greatest assets! Highlight that you possess the right skill set, a growth mindset, and the disposition to collaborate with your prospective junior colleagues.
5️⃣ Stay Tech-Savvy: Keep up with industry-specific software and digital trends. Demonstrating your tech proficiency, ensuring you have the critical computer skills to get the job done, and understanding the role social media plays for your career and future company can help dispel age-related biases.
6️⃣ Crossover you discomfort: Take some time to reflect on what specifically is causing your discomfort. Is it fear of rejection, self-doubt, embarrassment, or something else? Navigating discomfort during a job search journey is a natural part of growth and change. To overcome this, name the benefits of your actions. What will you gain from gradual exposure and setting realistic expectations? Reach out to your support system. Acting as your accountability partner, friends, family, career coaches, or mentors can provide valuable perspective and encouragement.
As you may already know, I’m a true proponent of coaching, so I invite you to consider the following five questions to gain insights into your internal beliefs and fears that may be stopping you in your job search:
What specific concerns or fears do I have about my age impacting my work transition?
What strengths and experiences do I bring to the table that are valuable, regardless of my age?
How can I leverage my network and professional connections to explore opportunities and overcome age-related biases?
If age weren’t a concern for me, what industries, employers, and job positions would I consider as the next move in my career direction?
What steps can I take to build confidence in my ability to compete in the job market, regardless of age?
For more reflections on my experience living abroad, my work on self awareness and my perspective on career transitions, follow me on:
Website: www.atypical-careers.com
Article written by Edith Escobedo
Photo by Wix media
Thanks for sharing your time with me!
Edith
Bibliography:
Statista (2022), Employment rate in Denmark in 2022, by age group. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1166057/employment-rate-in-denmark-by-age-group/
Jensen, P. H., & Møberg, R. J. (2012). Age Management in Danish Companies: What, How, and How Much?. Nordic Journal of Working Life Studies, 2(3), pp. 49–66. https://doi.org/10.19154/njwls.v2i3.2363
Dansk Industri (2022). Analyser, Seiorer klarer sig godt på arbejdsmarkedet, https://www.danskindustri.dk/arkiv/analyser/2022/4/seniorer-klarer-sig-godt-pa-arbejdsmarkedet/
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