You must have some working knowledge of how thing are done today
➔ One of biggest complaints that employers have about job seekers over 50 is that they are technologically deficient in one way or another. So the argument goes, they’re either techno-phobes who don’t even know how to turn on a computer, or their skills are so out of date they’re still using their aol.com email addresses.
Although those impressions are mostly unfounded, there is some truth to the notion that 50+ job seekers have not kept up to date regarding technology. If you expect to compete in today’s job market, your technological skills must be current. What you learned (mastered and practiced) 20 years ago doesn’t matter.
Finding solutions
Fortunately, there are many avenues available to pursue to remedy the situation. If you need an IT update, look to your local community colleges, career centers, libraries and tech schools. Most offer classes of one kind or another. Some are even totally free or free to anyone over a certain age (which varies based on geography.)
If you’re too intimidated to venture out and attend a class, there are innumerable online videos that you can view in the comfort of your own home while you remain in your pajamas. Depending on the skills you need, some may only be 7-10 minutes while others may last 60-90 minutes. It depends on your skill level going in, or how deeply immersed you wish to become.
For example, Microsoft Excel is one of the most ubiquitous pieces of business software out there. Many companies use it daily to track finances, to manage databases and customer contacts, and more. It’s very flexible and powerful.
A quick AI search revealed that there are literally “millions of tutorials on YouTube covering Microsoft Excel, ranging from basic functions to advanced techniques.” And that’s just Excel.
By the way, our using AI to discover that answer suggests something else again. AI is no doubt a skill that you may not have to master, but you should at the very least be familiar with its capabilities and functions.
This merely scratches the surface. It’s all out there. You just have to look for it.