“Vitality deceives an employer,” the Shark Tank star recently said in a free live question-and-answer session with her Patreon community. “If you come in vital, full of life and enthusiasm, they will forget that you are 53 and think you are acting younger and they will be more attracted to you.”
“Ageism is a problem and I would be lying to you if I said don’t worry about it,” Corcoran, 66, added. “If you are over 50, [employers] will hesitate… What you should do is do your best.”
Corcoran isn't wrong. Older workers have been the most affected by ageism and workplace discrimination over the past two years. 26% of U.S. workers ages 50 and older said they were the target of age-related comments at work between November 2022 and April 2023. This emerges from a recent study by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).
SHRM also surveyed 1,000 human resources managers who said employees are more likely to be perceived by others as incompetent with technology (49%), resistant to new ways of doing things (38%), and stubborn or grumpy (48%). .
That might explain why Corcoran advises older workers to appear more lively, energetic and fitter – but she also says that focusing solely on your age won't do you any good in the long run.
“If you're older and let that get in your way, just look good and go for it [your age] to the side,” she advised.
Instead, focus on what you bring, such as: B. years of experience, wisdom and problem-solving skills.
“I hire a lot of people who are older … and they have so much more wisdom,” Corcoran said. “There is no circumstance they encounter that they have not seen before and for which they do not have a solution. So you need a lot less training, you have a lot more life experience and judgment.”
Patrice Lindo, a career coach, agrees with Corcoran, telling CNBC Make It that the concept of being “too old” to reset your professional life is “more and more outdated.” She advises her clients over 40 to “emphasize the value of their accumulated experience and the importance of continuous learning and adaptability.”
Simply put, there are a wealth of qualities that only experienced professionals can rely on. Aside from that, wearing an outfit that makes you look energetic is arguably the most important part of showing vitality, Corcoran said.
“Just make sure you dress really smart and look like someone full of energy,” she said. “This is how you should conduct your interview – from a place of energy.”
Disclosure: CNBC owns the exclusive off-network cable rights to “Shark Tank.”
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