Working Knowledge A Monthly Column about Life on the Job

By Elisa F. Topper American Libraries Columnist Elisa F. Topper is director of the Dundee Township (Ill.) Public Library District and a career consultant. Contact her at working@ala.org. Column for November 2004

Fighting Age Discrimination

I was an attorney for more than 15 years, but decided to go into a field where I could feel good about helping people in a positive way. After giving it some serious thought—and reading about an impending shortage of librarians—I quit my job and went to library school, where I served as an officer in the student association, completed a practicum and internship, and maintained a strong scholastic record. Although I graduated more than a year ago, I still haven't found a full-time professional position. Because I am in my mid-50s, I am beginning to suspect that age discrimination may be a factor. Any advice?

Librarian of a Certain Age

It certainly sounds like you did everything right to lay the foundation for a new career, but keep in mind that career changers do meet extra challenges in their job searches. As for your suspicion of age discrimination, I must admit that for most of my almost 30 years in the profession, I thought librarianship was one field where age discrimination didn't exist. I no longer feel that way today.
You've probably heard that “50 is the new 30”; but this phrase has yet to make its way over to the employment world, while, unfortunately, misperceptions of older workers have entered our profession. Older workers are unfairly viewed as unable to perform at the level of younger employees, and are often stereotyped as stubborn, inflexible, and slow to accept new technologies. They are also believed to bring higher pension, health-care, and salary requirements.
The truth is that American workers are getting older, and, as ages increase, so too will complaints of age discrimination in the workplace. Meanwhile, how can you make the best of such an environment?

• Know your rights. In 1967, Congress passed the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), which made it unlawful for employers to permit a worker's age to influence employment decisions (see www.eeoc.gov/facts/age.html). It protects individuals 40 years of age or older, and it applies to employers with 20 or more employees. While ADEA doesn't specifically prohibit an employer from asking an applicant's age or date of birth, such inquiries may deter older workers from applying or they may otherwise indicate possible intent to discriminate based on age, and the ADEA points out that these requests will be closely scrutinized.
  
• Older job-seekers and career changers should use a functional résumé—one that highlights job skills—rather than the traditional chronological résumé that emphasizes dates.
  
• Consider using your legal expertise in a position where advocacy is a focus. For example, explore jobs working for literacy groups, where you could use your knowledge as a librarian together with your legal background to help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn to read.
  
• Do you look your age? Maybe it's time for a not-so-extreme makeover—consider coloring your hair, updating your wardrobe, and getting advice from impartial parties about how you look and sound.
  
• Ask for assistance from your graduate-school faculty members. Former students who become employers often call schools looking for prospective employees.
  
• Stay busy—volunteer at your local library, become active in alumni associations—and stay positive, and eventually a position will come your way.
  

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Resources

• Age Discrimination in the American Workplace: Old at a Young Age by Raymond F. Gregory (Rutgers University Press, 2001).
  
• Defeating Age Discrimination to Maximize Your Job Search (Nonstop Internet, 2003).
  
• Every Employee's Guide to the Law: What You Need to Know about Your Rights in the Workplace—and What to Do If They Are Violated by Lewin G. Joel (Pantheon Books, 2001).
  
• Job Discrimination II: How to Fight, How to Win by Jeffrey M. Bernbach (R&R Writers/Agents, 1998).
  

(c) Copyright 2004 American Library Association