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I don't really have a questions, I just need to vent!
I interviewed for a project manager position earlier this week. My friend referred me so I felt I had a pretty good chance of getting hired. The VP that interviewed me seemed to like me, and I felt I did well when answering her questions. Well, I got an email from my friend shortly after the interview telling me that the VP had chosen someone with more experience (that's fair). However, he mentioned that she told him she didn't think I'd be a good cultural fit because I look really young. I'm 28, but I've been told I look 19. Basically, there's not much I can do to make myself appear older, and I feel that in the future I may be denied jobs that pay well because of this.
I got laid off last month, but with this latest rejection I think I'm going back to school full-time instead of looking for another job.
Then do some social engineering and learn to look the part more. Grow some facial hair, wear glasses that make you look older. I look young too. It was a problem when I was 30 looking 21 with employers, now it's a benefit that I am 43 and look about 35. In fact I noticed losing weight and cutting my hair military short with no facial hair made me look 35 so it's helping.
Then do some social engineering and learn to look the part more. Grow some facial hair, wear glasses that make you look older. I look young too. It was a problem when I was 30 looking 21 with employers, now it's a benefit that I am 43 and look about 35. In fact I noticed losing weight and cutting my hair military short with no facial hair made me look 35 so it's helping.
I am female, so it would probably not be a good idea for me to grow facial hair.
Maybe I should get into acting where they want you to look young.
I have baby-face issues, too. I grew a goatee and it seems to work in terms of making me look older. Give it a try. Don't throw yourself back into school based on your emotions, only go back if you have a clear path on what you are going to accomplish. Like the poster above mentioned, look the part. However, it is unfortunate that you will come across prejudice people no matter what. You can't cure stupid, so there's no use worrying about it.
Edited: Saw that you indicated that you're a female. Maybe there are some types of clothes you can wear that make you appear older. Use big words. Otherwise, refer to my last sentence above.
Location: Stuck on the East Coast, hoping to head West
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Sometimes "too young" is code for too unprofessional--either in dress, manner, speak, tats, earrings, etc.
Compare how you're dressed, your hairstyle, etc to those that are working in the office. All the women wear suits and pearls, then you should, too. If your friend already works there, you could try asking him/her for an honest opinion about your appearances as compared to those who work there. The key is to fit in.
Alternatively, they could've have coupled the "too young" comment with the not-enough-experience comment to soften the rejection blow.
Here are a few tips on how to look older for a woman. Wear lose fitting clothes and eye glasses. Most of the time that tends to make women look older. Good luck in your next interview.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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When hiring for a project manager, you need to overcome your young appearance by related your experience in managing a diverse team that included older people. Head off their worry ahead of time in the interview. You don't want to lie or make things up, but if you have managed someone even a year or two older than you it would be honest to say "older people." Hiring managers with older, seasoned staff do worry about whether a younger person can handle their people. Years ago I managed to get a supervisory job at age 26 where I had staff in their 60s, so I know it can be done successfully.
That's b.s.! I have friends my age who look really young like I do and have held managerial positions. One has held (is holding) prestigious jobs in Hollywood where most of her coworkers are in their 30's and up. You just gotta sound mature. That's what my friends did. Although my other friend has that really sweet young sounding voice no matter what so that one beats me! It just depends on the company.
Here are a few tips on how to look older for a woman. Wear lose fitting clothes and eye glasses. Most of the time that tends to make women look older. Good luck in your next interview.
So the way to dress older is make yourself look ugly? Ain't saying wearing eyeglasses makes one look ugly but if one doesn't wear eyeglasses normally, it's for a reason.
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