Interviewers are usually aware that if they even hint that a candidate won’t work out because she’s “too old,” a legal nightmare will ensue. In-house lawyers have warned HR managers, along with everyone else on staff responsible for hiring decisions, that discriminating against someone because of her age is patently illegal. As a result, age discrimination has gone underground, where it’s generally couched in language that’s more “politically correct.” Questions such as “Most of the people we have working here are babes in the woods. Do you really think that you’ll feel comfortable here?” and “Don’t you think you’re a little light on ‘life experience?’” often reveal an interviewer’s secret prejudice, but being prepared with a compelling answer can help you overcome it.
56.
In our company, people skateboard through the hallways, blast music from their computers, and work 24/7. We’re totally open to hiring working moms, but at the same time, I’m a little concerned that you won’t fit in here.A.
I think that your concern is valid, and I really appreciate the opportunity to address it, Stan. First of all, I have three kids who skateboard around our house nonstop. One of them also plays electronic guitar till all hours of the night, and believe me, at this point I consider it “white noise.” I am thoroughly capable of screening out all kinds of disruptions and focusing on the work. Secondly, the fact that I am a working mom forces me to be more efficient. Because I don’t do my work with headphones in my ears, you’ll find my reports well-organized, clear, and typo-free. Why work 24/7, when you can work for ten hours a day, finish everything on your plate, and deliver an excellent product? At the same time, I want you to know that if you ever give me a project that requires me to stay until all hours of the night, I will come through for you. That’s what babysitters, nannies, and husbands are for—covering for me when it’s going to be another late night at the office.Follow up with an example from your last job where you stayed until 3 o’clock in the morning to complete the project.
57.
You have all the qualifications that we’re looking for, Sheila. But the person you’d be reporting to is fifteen years younger than you. Do you think that could be a problem?A.
The way that I see it, Jay, age is more of a mindset than an absolute, chronological number. I watch movies that are targeted to fifteen-year-old girls. Does that mean that I’m really fifteen inside? No, of course not! On the other hand, I tend to read autobiographies that are popular with seniors. While the magazines that I enjoy, like Business Week and Inc., are definitely written for men in their thirties and forties.In the pursuit of knowledge, I always try to identify experts, and I’m quite open to learning whatever they can teach me, no matter how old they are. I’m greatly looking forward to meeting my new boss and learning everything I can from him.
Mention a previous boss of yours who was only a couple of years younger than you (if true), and stress how much you learned from her.
58.
Are you telling me that, now that you’re forty-something, you would be willing to start at an entry-level position just to get your foot in the door here?A.
Sometimes you need to take a step backward to move your career forward. Starting in an entry- level role would allow me to learn your business from the ground up. I would have the chance to interact with customers, suppliers, and retailers, picking up essential product knowledge along the way. The career that I’ve been in is so different than yours that I would love the opportunity to start over again in your field. The salary cut would be well worth it, because in a sense I would be paying your company to relaunch my career.59.
Marianna expressly requested a “junior- to mid-level associate.” You were probably at that level roughly ten years ago, right?A.
Yes, I was, but then I branched out on my own and started a new company. I’m happy that I tried it, because I learned with absolute certainty that I missed working at a big firm like yours. I really enjoy working in a team atmosphere. I have a good eye for design, and a gut instinct for merchandising and pricing. But with my own company, I often felt like I was spending more time shipping boxes than doing anything else!Life is too short and we all work too hard to have zero fun on the job. For a start-up, my business was pretty successful. But I wasn’t having any fun running it day to day. I want to get back to doing the things that I love. If that makes me a mid-level associate for now, or even a junior, I happen to think the move is well worth it.