OLD! - 5 Ways You're Saddling Yourself with That Label (and blowing your shot at a promotion at work)

 We don't think of Rupert Murdoch or Mick Jagger as "old." They present themselves in work and social life in ways that don't invite that kind of labeling.

But, you may be making yourself a sitting duck to be experienced as, yes, old. That's because of how you're behaving. And that can be blocking promotions at work as well as ruling you out in your hunt for a job or even contract assignments. 

The good news, and there is always good news in America the land of resets, is that your can take the bullseye off your back. Just stop doing these 5 dumb things. But, you have to stop all 5. No half measures. 

Apologizing for being old. 

First of all, no one wants to hear such a negative. It's a downer. 

Secondly, there is no need for it. That's like someone saying they have brown eyes. Age is obvious. 

And, third, you should be opportunitistic and position and package age as a platform for a message that will get the right attention. 

Brilliantly, Paul Weiss Chairperson Brad Karp took control of an interview with Insider. He put his age - 63 - out there as the timing for a possible transition to another career path. If he does decide not to re-up his contract for chairperson in May 2023, then the world has already been put on notice that he could be a free agent. The odds are that Karp is already being approached with possible Nexts. Yes, be smart, like Karp. 

Expressing regrets. 

You are marking yourself not only as a loser but an old loser. You are a loser because you should have sorted through all that, put it away, and shut up. You are seen as old because you are in the past. Old people are in the past. 

Also, regret has no basis in reality. It is a fantasy of what could have been. You regret not going to medical school instead of getting a Ph.D. in X or Y. Since you didn't go to medical school you have no data on any the career outcomes. Get it: It is totally fantasy. 

Gushing. Poise in aging signals self-confidence. And self-confidence deters the kind of shabby treatment that the under-40 inflict on the over-40. 

Poise mandates leaving over-enthusiasms behind. Those are a lot to inflict on others - actually they could be experienced by them that you are sucking up all the oxygen. 

Okay, you love the deal you got on the house when everyone else seemed to be paying too much. Tone it down. Be concise. And, it's a only-mention-once. 

Acting young. 

You are not young. There are options in everything from language to clothing that you cannot take. 

Verboten is saying: This makes me feel young. That's an admission you feel old. You shouldn't be feeling that way. Old is a negative state of being. 

Resisting technology. 

No, you don't have to keep up with it all. However, you have to master what involves your work and social life. Also, none of it is hard to learn. But, yes, you have to invest the time in learning. Just like you don't complain about technology, you don't complain about having to learn technology.

Reflection: "Old" is usually self-inflicted. 

Your career issues in 2022.  Complimentary consultation for coaching, job-search materials, and interviewing. Please contact janegenova374@gmail.com or text 203-468-8579.