Leading with "I'm probably older than you imagined for this position" will absolutely get you scratched from consideration.
Ageism is a serious problem in hiring right now. Almost everyone I know who has been looking longer than six months is over 50. An article like you mentioned would be welcome.
I recently talked about how I was at work when I was depressed and how I overcame it and developed resilience to be more effective at work and better with people. I laid bare my shortcomings, and I was rewarded for it with a final interview. The hiring manager was very impressed when I told her that I had overcome depression; that answer helped me display my strengths better than bragging about my work accomplishments, which I did not expect. I’m about to do the final round, and hoping this approach pays off once again.
Anuradha, that’s incredibly brave of you to share your personal challenges during the interview process, and it’s fantastic to hear that it was received so positively!
Being open about overcoming difficulties like depression not only showcases your resilience but also your emotional intelligence, both of which are invaluable in any workplace. Best of luck in your final interview round! It sounds like you’re bringing something truly unique and powerful to the table.
Maybe that hiring manager has read the final chapter of Adam's latest book, Hidden Potential ;) (which I obviously recommend to everyone who doesn't own a copy)
Joking aside, congratulations on the progress you've made - as the book says: "The true measure of your potential is not the height of the peak you've reached, but how far you've climbed to get there"
This is wonderful. After all, who wants to work for a company that can’t deal with employees having mental health issues? By mentioning this outright, you can determine if this is the kind of place YOU want to work… Love your approach @Anuradha Pandey - bravo! 👏
It takes an open-minded hiring manager who is willing to leverage the transferrable skills and invest the time in developing the new hire. I was lucky enough to have such manager when I switched careers. I did almost exactly what Ms. Hansen did, except it was in a live one-on-one interview and it went shockingly well (and it still is going shockingly well).
Thank you, Adam Grant. Your insights are golden, bringing hope to the occupationally-discouraged. You have such wisdom. I hope you'll come up with answers to "Where do you see yourself in five years?" I've always wanted to say, "Still pondering your mystical question."
Adam, it all returns to authenticity in interviewing. And in life. Rather than over-hyping just be truthful, sincere about how you can add value and why it matters. Do your homework and understand the company’s or the orgs pressing needs, gaps. And don’t hesitate to ask, if that is unclear in the discussion. Be curious. Get them talking about their needs. Ask the five why’s even, all of that will open up new possibilities for you and them, to react to.
I wonder if this works for women, POC or members of other marginalized communities when they're interviewing with someone from a majority community. Is there any data on it? I wonder if it would confirm the biases against some people interviewers already have.
I think this technique most often fails when the interviewer is not too bright.
Smart interviewers weigh the accuracy - dumb people (honest to God) want to be lied to.
If you're interviewing, even if you need the job, consider whether or not you want to work with people with no self awareness and little humor. Because the only times I've ignored that in an interview I've regretted it.
That's where I was being interviewed - not when I was the interviewer.
I also think the approach suggested matters only when you're being interviewed by a subject matter expert (ie someone who knows the field so well they can sniff bullshit). That's not always the case in hiring interviews. My suspicion is that when the interviewer is not an expert, biases would come into play especially for minorities.
Yes, if they alone are responsible for the decision and they truly are a SME. But bias is also demonstrated by some of the smartest people you might meet and some of the biggest brands, simply because the interviewer fears not looking good in front of their boss or the rest of the business. It's fear and it's not rational. Thanks for commenting, TRG!
I have my doubts. My daughter is a trans female diesel mechanic trying to land her first job. It's been a year since she graduated. Her tenacity in the face of adversity should be a huge selling point, and she has worked on developing that aspect for interviews, but it's not enough to break through the biases.
I love this and it comes at the perfect time as I was recently laid off and am in full-time job hunting mode. It's exhausting, and even more so when, like me, your experience is so diverse all over the place. I've heard a lot of "oh companies like unconventional backgrounds" but that's not the reality of the market. The vast majority of companies DO want people who check the boxes, which makes pitching myself a struggle. The best I can do is lead with integrity and hope it resonates with 1 of the 300 hiring managers who see my cover letter.
Sephone, I hear you on how challenging the job hunt can be, especially with a diverse background.
It’s tough when it feels like you have to fit into specific boxes to get noticed. Leading with integrity is a powerful approach, though. It ensures that when the right opportunity comes along, it’s a great fit for both you and the employer.
I encourage you to keep going—your unique mix of skills and your authentic self are bound to shine through to the right people. Here’s to that one hiring manager who sees the value you bring!
Thank you so much for this thoughtful and encouraging comment. These words are just what I need to fuel my applications today (especially after a rough yesterday). I really look forward to connecting with that one hiring manager.
I do project and product management. Strong emphasis on improving processes and championing transparent communications. (Canadian, but open to contract work)
And good reminder! I hadn't really thought of Substack for work outside of my writing.
Adam, a great writing piece with some great cousel! I loved the line the young man used with an upset interviewer: “How could you have the audacity to give advice?” an interviewer scoffed. “I may only be 28,” Zaslow replied, “but I have the wisdom of a 29-year old.” Perfectly, youthfully cheeky and also brilliant.
For me, being on the retired end of things at 71, I remember DETESTING interviews and not doing well at them, not remotely. I will say that I certainly know about survival. It was mainly my 31 years of living in San Francisco (until summer 2011) that honed my survival skills. In between jobs, etc., you focus on keeping life as simple as you possibly can. You keep in touch with everyone you know, so they know you are seeking employment. You check out temp agencies to keep the basics afloat. You do free-lance "gigs" and gather the nuts and berries you need to survive. The simple act of sitting down and examining your basic survival needs, can be illuminating. So much of what we spend can be unnecessary. I am not speaking for others, only self, when I got into substantial debt UNWISELY and had to go file a "wage-earners plan" of chapter 13 bankruptcy. When I emerged from five long years of awful payments, I chose to not rebuild my credit (addictive personality!). I have lived debt-free and with no credit at all since 2002. Choose what works best for your own temperament. Self-employment can work as well, in short hops as you figure out your plan of action. Examine your core gifts and skills and what makes you happy in the realm of work. I would be cautious of places like Craig's List, which used to be a good place but has elements of creepy in it now, to some degree. I salute all of you brilliant people here, who are seeking work. I pray that you will be guided to the best place for your unique set of gifts and talents. Authentic is always good and I hope you find authentic from the employer as well, so your gifts are not disabused or wasted. You are needed in this world, that is always my core message. WEW
Wendy, I really appreciate you sharing your experiences and wisdom, especially about simplifying life and focusing on what truly matters during tough times.
Your journey through self-employment and learning to live debt-free is genuinely inspiring. It's a great reminder that understanding our own needs and limitations can lead to a more sustainable and fulfilling life.
Thanks for the encouragement to remain authentic and value our unique gifts, wishing everyone here the best in finding work that respects and utilizes their talents!
Sol, so glad to have offered a word of encouragement to you! The simple focus of doing a deep dive through your own heart and psyche is a good exploration. You can find your innate gifts, what you love and are good at and begin to work in the direction of those things for work. Granted, that may not happen immediately but the journey will keep you moving toward hope!! Keeping on along with you, Wendy
I was once at an in-person interview in a very male dominated manufacturing company. The job I was applying for was in a field where I was well-qualified. I went in confident and interviewed with numerous people. The final interviewer was a 2nd generation VP at this worldwide organization. He grilled me on many things. I'd had some mfg. management experience at other organizations, so he asked why I would want to shift from a management/leadership position to an individual contributor role. When I answered, I looked at his face and sensed that he couldn't imagine why anyone would want to take what he thought was a step backward. During the silence as he considered my answer, I asked him, "What do I have to tell you or share with you for you to see that I'm the best qualified candidate for this role?". In an instant, I'd captured his complete attention. He shook his head, leaned forward with a look of disbelief on his face... and then he laughed. Out loud. And smiled. And put his interwoven hands behind his head. At that moment, I knew the job was mine. I had taken a risk and it had shown him something that my stories and experience could not. He hired me. It was the best job in my entire corporation lifetime! Motto: Know who you are and speak your truth. It is your greatest asset.
kathy, interesting story-Your courage to challenge assumptions and speak your truth not only earned you the job but also transformed a skeptical interviewer into a believer.
I like your motto: knowing oneself and confidently articulating one's worth is indeed a priceless asset.
Thank you for sharing this inspiring story, kathy!
A big YES to talking with wisdom rather than trying to be impressive and clever. However this depends on corporate culture as well. If they like blowhards, you aren't going to get the job but then again you probably aren't going to thrive in that climate.
There is so much power on humor but not everyone is open to it. Also every interview or people is so different. I think is very hard to find exactly what to say without having an idea who is interviewing you. It is about doing in that moment what you think is best even though sometimes that might not work.
The problem with the "just say it out loud" approach is that it's the job interview equivalent of a Hail Mary in football. When it works, everyone loves it and talks about it forever. When it doesn't, you lose the game, everyone second-guesses your decision, and no one writes about it a decade later.
Worse, a Hail Mary will lose more often than win. Is there a better approach that avoids lucking out because that one interviewer out of 50 thought the candor was admirable?
I guess a loss of not getting a job isn't always too consequential? You get the opportunity to try it again, but better, at the next interview...
This advice seems to be specific to people who perhaps on paper don't yet have the prerequisite skills that have been requested - not for people that do have the "10 years of manager experience". If you don't meet the criteria on paper then it makes sense to "just say it out loud" rather than exaggerate or lie... but if you already meet all the criteria then this advice is not for them?
So perhaps the "better" approach - that may result in "more" successful job interviews - for people that are underqualified but have aptitude to move into a more senior position is to not try and progress but stay on a "lower rung"?
Dan, agree with you. Relying too much on the "just say it out loud" tactic can be super risky. It's like swinging for the fences every time instead of playing it smart with a good strategy. Maybe a better approach is to blend honesty with a bit of tact?
I would love to read a similar article that demonstrates winning interview techniques for ages 50+.
Leading with "I'm probably older than you imagined for this position" will absolutely get you scratched from consideration.
Ageism is a serious problem in hiring right now. Almost everyone I know who has been looking longer than six months is over 50. An article like you mentioned would be welcome.
That’s a great topic Susan. It also applies when acting in a role as a consultant pitching solutions to customer challenges.
Agreed, although HR sensitivities when interviewing consultants varies depending on the industry.
Oh wow, yes that that is an amazing idea.
I am truly sorry that you experienced ageism during interviews. This is why I would like Adam to give us interview tips!
I recently talked about how I was at work when I was depressed and how I overcame it and developed resilience to be more effective at work and better with people. I laid bare my shortcomings, and I was rewarded for it with a final interview. The hiring manager was very impressed when I told her that I had overcome depression; that answer helped me display my strengths better than bragging about my work accomplishments, which I did not expect. I’m about to do the final round, and hoping this approach pays off once again.
Anuradha, that’s incredibly brave of you to share your personal challenges during the interview process, and it’s fantastic to hear that it was received so positively!
Being open about overcoming difficulties like depression not only showcases your resilience but also your emotional intelligence, both of which are invaluable in any workplace. Best of luck in your final interview round! It sounds like you’re bringing something truly unique and powerful to the table.
Thank you, those are kind words
Glad to help :)
Maybe that hiring manager has read the final chapter of Adam's latest book, Hidden Potential ;) (which I obviously recommend to everyone who doesn't own a copy)
Joking aside, congratulations on the progress you've made - as the book says: "The true measure of your potential is not the height of the peak you've reached, but how far you've climbed to get there"
This is wonderful. After all, who wants to work for a company that can’t deal with employees having mental health issues? By mentioning this outright, you can determine if this is the kind of place YOU want to work… Love your approach @Anuradha Pandey - bravo! 👏
It takes an open-minded hiring manager who is willing to leverage the transferrable skills and invest the time in developing the new hire. I was lucky enough to have such manager when I switched careers. I did almost exactly what Ms. Hansen did, except it was in a live one-on-one interview and it went shockingly well (and it still is going shockingly well).
Thank you, Adam Grant. Your insights are golden, bringing hope to the occupationally-discouraged. You have such wisdom. I hope you'll come up with answers to "Where do you see yourself in five years?" I've always wanted to say, "Still pondering your mystical question."
Adam, it all returns to authenticity in interviewing. And in life. Rather than over-hyping just be truthful, sincere about how you can add value and why it matters. Do your homework and understand the company’s or the orgs pressing needs, gaps. And don’t hesitate to ask, if that is unclear in the discussion. Be curious. Get them talking about their needs. Ask the five why’s even, all of that will open up new possibilities for you and them, to react to.
I wonder if this works for women, POC or members of other marginalized communities when they're interviewing with someone from a majority community. Is there any data on it? I wonder if it would confirm the biases against some people interviewers already have.
I think this technique most often fails when the interviewer is not too bright.
Smart interviewers weigh the accuracy - dumb people (honest to God) want to be lied to.
If you're interviewing, even if you need the job, consider whether or not you want to work with people with no self awareness and little humor. Because the only times I've ignored that in an interview I've regretted it.
That's where I was being interviewed - not when I was the interviewer.
I was thinking that too!
I also think the approach suggested matters only when you're being interviewed by a subject matter expert (ie someone who knows the field so well they can sniff bullshit). That's not always the case in hiring interviews. My suspicion is that when the interviewer is not an expert, biases would come into play especially for minorities.
Yes, if they alone are responsible for the decision and they truly are a SME. But bias is also demonstrated by some of the smartest people you might meet and some of the biggest brands, simply because the interviewer fears not looking good in front of their boss or the rest of the business. It's fear and it's not rational. Thanks for commenting, TRG!
I was thinking the same thing. My inner skeptic radar was going off reading parts of this. 🤨
I have my doubts. My daughter is a trans female diesel mechanic trying to land her first job. It's been a year since she graduated. Her tenacity in the face of adversity should be a huge selling point, and she has worked on developing that aspect for interviews, but it's not enough to break through the biases.
I love this and it comes at the perfect time as I was recently laid off and am in full-time job hunting mode. It's exhausting, and even more so when, like me, your experience is so diverse all over the place. I've heard a lot of "oh companies like unconventional backgrounds" but that's not the reality of the market. The vast majority of companies DO want people who check the boxes, which makes pitching myself a struggle. The best I can do is lead with integrity and hope it resonates with 1 of the 300 hiring managers who see my cover letter.
Sephone, I hear you on how challenging the job hunt can be, especially with a diverse background.
It’s tough when it feels like you have to fit into specific boxes to get noticed. Leading with integrity is a powerful approach, though. It ensures that when the right opportunity comes along, it’s a great fit for both you and the employer.
I encourage you to keep going—your unique mix of skills and your authentic self are bound to shine through to the right people. Here’s to that one hiring manager who sees the value you bring!
Thank you so much for this thoughtful and encouraging comment. These words are just what I need to fuel my applications today (especially after a rough yesterday). I really look forward to connecting with that one hiring manager.
What do you want to do for work Sephone? You never know someone hiring might be looking here 👀
I do project and product management. Strong emphasis on improving processes and championing transparent communications. (Canadian, but open to contract work)
And good reminder! I hadn't really thought of Substack for work outside of my writing.
You got it Sephone :)
Adam, a great writing piece with some great cousel! I loved the line the young man used with an upset interviewer: “How could you have the audacity to give advice?” an interviewer scoffed. “I may only be 28,” Zaslow replied, “but I have the wisdom of a 29-year old.” Perfectly, youthfully cheeky and also brilliant.
For me, being on the retired end of things at 71, I remember DETESTING interviews and not doing well at them, not remotely. I will say that I certainly know about survival. It was mainly my 31 years of living in San Francisco (until summer 2011) that honed my survival skills. In between jobs, etc., you focus on keeping life as simple as you possibly can. You keep in touch with everyone you know, so they know you are seeking employment. You check out temp agencies to keep the basics afloat. You do free-lance "gigs" and gather the nuts and berries you need to survive. The simple act of sitting down and examining your basic survival needs, can be illuminating. So much of what we spend can be unnecessary. I am not speaking for others, only self, when I got into substantial debt UNWISELY and had to go file a "wage-earners plan" of chapter 13 bankruptcy. When I emerged from five long years of awful payments, I chose to not rebuild my credit (addictive personality!). I have lived debt-free and with no credit at all since 2002. Choose what works best for your own temperament. Self-employment can work as well, in short hops as you figure out your plan of action. Examine your core gifts and skills and what makes you happy in the realm of work. I would be cautious of places like Craig's List, which used to be a good place but has elements of creepy in it now, to some degree. I salute all of you brilliant people here, who are seeking work. I pray that you will be guided to the best place for your unique set of gifts and talents. Authentic is always good and I hope you find authentic from the employer as well, so your gifts are not disabused or wasted. You are needed in this world, that is always my core message. WEW
Wendy, I really appreciate you sharing your experiences and wisdom, especially about simplifying life and focusing on what truly matters during tough times.
Your journey through self-employment and learning to live debt-free is genuinely inspiring. It's a great reminder that understanding our own needs and limitations can lead to a more sustainable and fulfilling life.
Thanks for the encouragement to remain authentic and value our unique gifts, wishing everyone here the best in finding work that respects and utilizes their talents!
Sol, so glad to have offered a word of encouragement to you! The simple focus of doing a deep dive through your own heart and psyche is a good exploration. You can find your innate gifts, what you love and are good at and begin to work in the direction of those things for work. Granted, that may not happen immediately but the journey will keep you moving toward hope!! Keeping on along with you, Wendy
Thanks Wendy 🤍
This was such a kindly written article and just the kind of encouragement needed to keep pressing forward in a job search. Thank you!
I'm also currently searching for a job. Good luck on your hunt!
Thank you Sephone, very kind and likewise!
Deanna, cheering for you-you got this!
I was once at an in-person interview in a very male dominated manufacturing company. The job I was applying for was in a field where I was well-qualified. I went in confident and interviewed with numerous people. The final interviewer was a 2nd generation VP at this worldwide organization. He grilled me on many things. I'd had some mfg. management experience at other organizations, so he asked why I would want to shift from a management/leadership position to an individual contributor role. When I answered, I looked at his face and sensed that he couldn't imagine why anyone would want to take what he thought was a step backward. During the silence as he considered my answer, I asked him, "What do I have to tell you or share with you for you to see that I'm the best qualified candidate for this role?". In an instant, I'd captured his complete attention. He shook his head, leaned forward with a look of disbelief on his face... and then he laughed. Out loud. And smiled. And put his interwoven hands behind his head. At that moment, I knew the job was mine. I had taken a risk and it had shown him something that my stories and experience could not. He hired me. It was the best job in my entire corporation lifetime! Motto: Know who you are and speak your truth. It is your greatest asset.
kathy, interesting story-Your courage to challenge assumptions and speak your truth not only earned you the job but also transformed a skeptical interviewer into a believer.
I like your motto: knowing oneself and confidently articulating one's worth is indeed a priceless asset.
Thank you for sharing this inspiring story, kathy!
A big YES to talking with wisdom rather than trying to be impressive and clever. However this depends on corporate culture as well. If they like blowhards, you aren't going to get the job but then again you probably aren't going to thrive in that climate.
Yes Judy, nuances are important.
Oh, this article has given me hope as I do open up with my shortcomings and am no self-promoter 😂 thank you 🙏
There is so much power on humor but not everyone is open to it. Also every interview or people is so different. I think is very hard to find exactly what to say without having an idea who is interviewing you. It is about doing in that moment what you think is best even though sometimes that might not work.
The problem with the "just say it out loud" approach is that it's the job interview equivalent of a Hail Mary in football. When it works, everyone loves it and talks about it forever. When it doesn't, you lose the game, everyone second-guesses your decision, and no one writes about it a decade later.
Worse, a Hail Mary will lose more often than win. Is there a better approach that avoids lucking out because that one interviewer out of 50 thought the candor was admirable?
I guess a loss of not getting a job isn't always too consequential? You get the opportunity to try it again, but better, at the next interview...
This advice seems to be specific to people who perhaps on paper don't yet have the prerequisite skills that have been requested - not for people that do have the "10 years of manager experience". If you don't meet the criteria on paper then it makes sense to "just say it out loud" rather than exaggerate or lie... but if you already meet all the criteria then this advice is not for them?
So perhaps the "better" approach - that may result in "more" successful job interviews - for people that are underqualified but have aptitude to move into a more senior position is to not try and progress but stay on a "lower rung"?
Dan, agree with you. Relying too much on the "just say it out loud" tactic can be super risky. It's like swinging for the fences every time instead of playing it smart with a good strategy. Maybe a better approach is to blend honesty with a bit of tact?
It is generally not a good idea to lead with shortcomings. Be authentic but not self-deprecating
Perhaps Adam is biased as he mentions a pair of experiments he did himself, but what is your data?
Also, is it not possible to be authentic when talking about short-comings while simultaneously not being self-deprecating?
This is wonderful. I think the power of humor is often not talked about enough.