Watch Out for That Wrinkle -- It May be a Career Killer

Recently, a friend told me about a party she attended called "Botox or Bangs." For those of you unaware of this trend (as I was), it means that when you get of a "certain age" you can either cut bangs to hide the wrinkles in your forehead, or you can get Botox to freeze your forehead so it doesn't move for months and it looks unlined.

My friend opted for the bangs -- and the Botox.

When I asked her why she would ever willingly let another person stick a needle in her face, her answer was this: "I just got a new boss -- and she's younger than me."

Yeah, so?

"Well," my friend says, "I know it may sound stupid, but I don't want to be the 'older employee' in my office. It's very competitive these days. I consider it to be an investment in my career."

OK. Well, silly me. I always considered an investment in a career to be attending a training session on PowerPoint presentations or taking a class at the university. But needles? Never crossed my mind.

My friend -- always very honest -- also confided that she was contemplating an eye lift, which I assume means even more needles and a couple of knives.

Why?

"Because," she explained slowly to me as if I were a 3-year-old wanting to know why I couldn't shave the family dog, "the people I work with are getting younger and younger. I don't want to have to look for another job at my age. I've got to hold onto this job, so I need to be as 'fresh' looking as possible."

I realize some of you are not going to be surprised by this in the least. After all, we see television programs that promote the young, the nubile and the unlined. We watch reality shows on everyday people becoming "swans" after undergoing plastic surgery, and books on how not to look old are bestsellers.

Still, it's disturbing to think that older workers believe they are no long viable unless their faces resemble something out of Madam Tussaud's wax museum. Back fat, jiggly arms and crow's feet are now career liabilities?

According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, about two thirds of its members say that men and women are requesting cosmetic surgery because they wanted to remain competitive in the workplace.

Earlier this year I interviewed Dr. Gordon Patzer, founder of the Appearance Research Institute, and he told me that employers consistently hire and promote the best-looking candidates in a pool of equally qualified people. At the same time, he talked about the ugly downside of a society obsessed with youth and good looks, noting the rise of unhealthy body obsessions.

My friend assures me that she knows what she's doing, and won't end up looking like Priscilla Presley. The Botox, bangs and impending eye lift are not just for career reasons, she says, but also because they will help her feel better.

"I just want to look as young as I feel," she says.

I understand, believe me. But I can't imagine where this country would be without people like Benjamin Franklin and John Adams and Eleanor Roosevelt and Mother Teresa, all people who didn't look that "fresh" during some of the most productive years of their lives. Would bangs have meant they had even more impact? Would Botox have meant they were smarter or could earn more money?

I don't mean to sound naive. I know in this world many people have "procedures" and feel great about it. But I can't help but wonder if a few lines on the face, a bit of gray in the hair, and perhaps wisdom and experience conveyed in the action of a worker wouldn't be of value to a younger manager.

If not, then maybe the newest employee benefit offering should be a payroll withdrawal option for "Botox or bangs."


Are older workers feeling more pressure about the way they look? What should they do about it, if anything?


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Stop Saying "When I Was Your Age"

This is a frightening time for everyone in the workplace, when fears abound about what latest economic downturn will result in layoffs. One of the most vulnerable groups of employees are the experienced workers with their higher salaries and richer benefits.

Older workers need to understand that this is the time to ratchet up their game. They need to be seen as vital by going after new clients, taking on new projects and just being seen as a dynamic voice in the future of a company.

And, most important, make sure you look the part of a vital employee. For example, are you still wearing the tie you got from your kids in 1990? Does your hairstyle involve a comb-over, anything with AquaNet or is hard enough to crack an egg on? Do you complain openly of your aches and pains and have no idea who Kanye West is?

If so, it’s time for some updating. Consider:

• Visiting a personal stylist. Of course, you’d look ridiculous with a tongue piercing, blue spiked hair and biker boots. But you also need to have someone qualified analyzing your appearance from year to year. Visit a department store cosmetics counter (preferably with younger employees), a hair salon that caters to younger professionals and look into getting some new duds, even if it's just one or two more updated pieces. Also, nothing makes you look worse than clothes that are too tight, too loose or too worn, so get them altered or get rid of them if needed.

• Keeping up on current events. Not just what's happening on Wall Street and in politics. Pick up a copy of Rolling Stone magazine. Check into some of the television shows and movies being talked about by younger staff members. Look at some of the popular videos on YouTube and even visit Facebook so you understand the concept of how it works.

• Saying “When I was your age…” Never, never, begin a sentence this way. You might as well ask for a box of Depends and some denture cleaner. Try not to recall your glory days, but rather offer opinions based on experiences in your career that are timeless and universal.

• Offering contacts. There’s nothing quite as valuable to co-workers and company brass than the relationships you have formed over the years with vendors, customers, competitors, etc. There is be a certain level of trust among those with long relationships that can be highly valued in a competitive environment.

• Keeping the edge. Don’t rest on former glories. Always appear enthusiastic in offering new ideas or accepting new challenges. Don’t have a “been there, done that” attitude that says you’re bored, but you’ll do it because you get paid to. Use new technologies to implement your strategies. If you don't understand how to use some of the latest hi tech stuff, learn. Take a class or enlist the help of a younger worker in exchange for some mentoring from you in other areas.

• Making sure your game is sharp. Keep track of your daily accomplishments, goals met and problems handled. This will be a valuable record when it comes time for performance evaluation — or a discussion of your future with a company. Keep documentation of all projects you worked on, kudos from co-workers or bosses, and even favorable notes from customers.




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Poor Handwriting Skills a Problem

I had a very frustrating Monday as I tried to post to this blog. It finally posted sometime after 10 p.m. when I gave up in frustration and went to bed. My sister, no computer whiz, suggested that "maybe the guy holding the satellite was out sick."

This is the second time this has happened, and I am open to suggestions as to where to take this blog besides blogger.com, which I find has about as much tech support as my sister can offer. Any suggestions on where I could move the blog that would be more dependable and offer the support I'd like?

Hopefully, this Tidbit Tuesday will post without problems, and the satellite guy is on the job. Here goes:

* When I was interviewing bosses for my book, "45 Things That Drive Your Boss Crazy...and How to Avoid Them," I was surprised by the vehemence some managers had for employees who could not write them a simple note. They complained that while much of the handwriting was sloppy, they were more concerned with the fact that they couldn't begin to decipher the meaning. That's why an article in Newsweek citing a study showing that good handwriting was critical in educating children caught my attention.
"Handwriting is important because research shows that when children are taught how to do it, they are also being taught how to learn and how to express themselves. A new study to be released this month by Vanderbilt University professor Steve Graham finds that a majority of primary-school teachers believe that students with fluent handwriting produced written assignments that were superior in quantity and quality and resulted in higher grades—aside from being easier to read."
Researchers believe poor handwriting skills filter into all areas of a child's learning and may hamper them in being successful.
One boss I spoke with told me that the more she had to rewrite or edit an employee's written work, the less likely she was to call on that person for important assignments. She added that while it would be nice to have the time to help an employee become a better writer, the truth was that she was jammed for time like most people, and wanted to be able to submit work to her boss that required the least amount of extra time from her.
So, it may be that not only do poor writing skills impact a child's learning, but their future success in the working world as well.

* Many GenY workers have gone to work for companies that also then hire their friends -- GenY employees say they'd rather work with people they like and often will jump ship to join buddies at another company. But according to a Wall Street Journal story, these workers might want to be careful.
"A growing number of companies sue job hoppers for luring staffers or customers while still employed," the story says. "Such lawsuits often claim breach of fidiciary responsibility."
The story goes on to say that even in a job interview, you should never suggest how many loyal co-workers would tag along with you. "Some skittish businesses reject candidates for boasting about their ability to recruit teammates."

The Chritian Science Monitor says that a new Financial Freedom Senior Sentiment Survey reports that among the 35 percent of seniors who plan to work in retirement, more than half say they enjoy working. Nearly 40 percent are bored. Twenty percent say their spouse is driving them crazy, while another 16 percent think they spend too much time with their spouse.
But retirees must learn the world of hunting for a job in the Internet age, and many are visiting online sites set up to help older Americans find jobs suited to their interests and skills.
At the same, while there is age bias against many of these workers, employers may not be able to snub such job applicants for long.
"Whatever challenges older applicants face, demographics are increasingly on the side of retired workers. In the next 14 years, the number of people over 50 will increase by 74 percent, and the number under 50 will increase by 1 percent...There simply are not enough younger people to replace those who are leaving the workforce due to retirement."



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Generational Divide May Be Overblown

They're energetic, often launching businesses they feel passionate about. They are committed to helping others, and want to make sure they have time to do the things in their private life they love doing, such as traveling, or spending time with family and friends.

Think I'm talking about GenY? Think again -- I'm referring to those over 50.

While there has been a lot of press given to GenY and the impact they will have on the workplace, a real shift has been taking place on the other end. The over 50 crowd -- those baby boomers who have dominated the American workplace for generations -- aren't quite ready to ride off into the sunset.

A record 24.6 million Americans age 55 and over are still on the job, a huge shift from what has been seen in the past. AARP found that 69 percent of people age 45 to 74 are working, or planning to work, in some capacity after retirement.

Why the change? One reason is that many can't afford to retire because of rising healthcare costs, or other costs of living -- such as supporting family members --that cannot be met by Social Security or other pension income.

But many other boomers report they simply don't want to retire -- they like working and challenging themselves every day.

The really interesting part of all this is how much many of their desires match those who are sometimes half a century younger. In "70: The New 50," author William C. Byham, a Ph.D., found in his research that these workers want to help others; spend more time with family and friends; work fewer hours; have more flexibility; and take more vacation time.

Gee, that sounds awfully familiar. Exactly like what GenY is saying. Could it be that instead of spending so much time and energy touting which generation is having the biggest impact on the workplace we should be channeling our energies towards these generations helping one another meet their goals?

Of course, there are differences. GenY is often referred to as narcissistic, money hungry and a great desire to be famous.

Still, I've worked with enough GenYers to know that they are not that different from where we all want to be -- financially stable, doing work we love, making a positive impact on those around us, being treated with respect for our skills and abilities, and enjoying life with good friends and family. In that regard, there is no generational difference on the job...just a real desire for the same thing.





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Remaining Viable as an Older Worker

It can be stressful searching for a job when you’re in yours 20s or 30s, but what about decades later, when you’re in your 40s or 50s? It can be terrifying.

Certainly, when you’re older you have more experience to offer an employer, but, well, you’re older. And in a youth-obsessed society, that can seriously impact your ability to get the job you desire and believe you are qualified to fill. Is that fair? No. Is it legal? No. But it happens all the time, from the worker who is slowly eliminated from top-level meetings, to the job candidate being denied a second interview once the interviewer saw the crow’s feet and gray hair.

Still, the news is not all bad for older workers. Just look at the start-up companies that go begging for older executive coaches when they realize they have zero management experience, or the employers who hire back retired workers when they find they make better, more dependable employees.

At the same time, it’s best to be prepared for the way you will be viewed by others once you hit your middle years. For example, are you still wearing the tie you got from your kids in 1982? Is your hairstyle reminiscent of Mary Tyler Moore 30 years ago? Do you complain openly of your aches and pains and have no idea who Kanye West is?

If so, it’s time for some updating, so you won’t be outdated. Consider:

• Visiting a personal stylist. Of course, you’d look ridiculous with six earrings in your ear, blue spiked hair and biker boots. But you also need to have someone qualified analyzing your appearance from year to year. Visit a department store cosmetics counter, a hair salon that caters to professionals and consider getting some new duds, or at least update your current wardrobe with alterations. (By the way, this applies to men and women.)
• Keep up on current events. Not just what your 401(k) is earning and what’s playing on the Golden Oldies station. Pick up a copy of Rolling Stone magazine, check into some of the trendy television shows being talked about by younger staff members, and visit MySpace and YouTube so you understand what's popular. Okay, so maybe it isn’t your cup of tea, but look at it as an investment in your career.
• “When I was your age…” Never, never, begin a sentence this way. You might as well ask for a rocking chair and arthritis medicine. Try not to recall your glory days, but rather offer opinions based on experiences in your career that are timeless and universal.
• Offer contacts. There’s nothing quite as valuable to co-workers and company brass than the relationships you have formed over the years with vendors, customers, competitors, etc. There is be a certain level of trust among those with long relationships that can be highly valued in a competitive environment.
• Keep the edge. Don’t rest on former glories. Always appear enthusiastic in offering new ideas or accepting new challenges. Don’t have a “been there, done that” attitude that says you’re bored, but you’ll do it because you get paid to.
• Know when to give in gracefully. This is something time in the workplace has given you: the ability to know when it’s a no-win situation. This is when you back off and learn to fight another day. Because if you keep at it, you may end up looking like a cantankerous old blowhard who can’t work with others.
  
  For more information on career resources for older workers, check out the "career links" on this website.