Have a job interview for a director level position.

33 Comments

1. AnonymousNovember 15,2021 at 5:52PM UTC

   Speaking with authority and knowledge and exhibiting your expertise is the surest way to move people past the optics.

   I've had this issue as well when I was younger but noticed that as soon as I opened my mouth people seem to drop their initial reaction fast and start talking on a higher level.

2. Lauren Springer (she/her/hers)November 15,2021 at 6:50PM UTC

   I agree with the previous response from Anonymous about demonstrating your expertise and coming with concrete and transferable examples of times when you've done what the job requires. Follow the STARR interview method to provide well-rounded responses and reflections/learnings for each example. Listen to them and ask good, probing questions to highlight the value you will add from day one.

   WRT aging yourself, IDK. I can only speak from my own experience that I feel my most badass-boss-lady-like when I look the the part. For me, in this current environment, that's my sassiest pair of red framed glasses and a bold piece of jewelry. Do whatever makes you feel AMAZING and own your experience. You've got this!

3. Rhonda RondeauNovember 15,2021 at 8:09PM UTC

   Well aarp keeps spamming me and my boss might be young enough to be my son... so there is that :P

4. Barb HansenNovember 15,2021 at 10:18PM UTC

   Confidence is usually a winning attribute.

   Talk about your measurable successes in previous roles.

   And be yourself!

5. AnonymousNovember 16,2021 at 3:03AM UTC

   If you lead with a strong resume, why would they be super interested but give up all interest once they say you based on a young looking face?

6. Dawn S. CrossNovember 16,2021 at 1:28PM UTC

   Don’t artificially age yourself. Having a baby face may not be the issue, but the confidence that does (or doesn’t) project through can be the hindrance. Be confident, wear appropriate clothing for the position (not your, not old, appropriate).

   Go in as if the position is yours, but not arrogant. Let the recruiter know what you can bring to the role. It shows through and that is your biggest asset.

7. AnonymousNovember 17,2021 at 4:07AM UTC

   Unless we are talking about looking like a preteen I think you're putting too much emphasis at looking a bit younger.

   Trust me, if you're confident and know your stuff that will take center stage. People who kick ass in interviews are people who are disarming and brilliant in an understated but commanding way.

8. Kelly BrennanNovember 17,2021 at 1:12PM UTC

   Agree with others confidence and experience are the most important. If a supervisor doesn’t want to hire you due to your looks, I doubt you’d be comfortable with the role based on your question. Wishing you luck.

9. AnonymousNovember 17,2021 at 2:11PM UTC

   This is spot on! If your looks are going to make it break it for them this is not the company you should be with. Hiring should be based your experience, qualifications and what you can bring to the company.

10. KelleyNovember 17,2021 at 1:20PM UTC

    Go in with confidence and know that you can speak on experience to show you deserve this position. If the hiring staff look too much at your appearance as a factor in their decision, it’s not the type of place you’d probably want to work anyway.

11. Gretchen SkalkaNovember 17,2021 at 1:37PM UTC

    As the other wise commenters have said - confidence is one of the most important tools in your professional toolbox.
    It cannot be understated. When you're confident of your abilities and can talk through situations, resolutions and experiences you've had that speak to the role in question - THAT is what gets noticed.

    Embrace your abilities and your confidence.
    I can't wait to hear how you aced the interview!!

12. AnonymousNovember 17,2021 at 1:42PM UTC

    As a few people have mentioned you don't need to age yourself be confident and dress the part. I'm fairly young and hold a director role at my company. I was just hired into the role in June. Compared to all of my peers at the director level, I am likely the youngest person with a director title. I also look younger and sound younger than my age. It's not about how old you look but more about if you can walk the walk and talk the talk. Good luck!

13. AnonymousNovember 17,2021 at 1:53PM UTC

    I have looked younger than I am for my entire 48 years . You do not have to age yourself if your credentials and professionalism are present . Your skills set will speak for itself . Good luck

14. AnonymousNovember 17,2021 at 2:13PM UTC

    I'm 37 and still get carded at bars and liquor stores... Your credentials and experience should speak for itself! Have confidence and go in there and show them what you're made of - if they can't see past your "baby face," is it really even a company you want to work for?

15. Jennifer WuolletNovember 17,2021 at 2:19PM UTC

    This is why I let my grey hair grow out. Lucky or unlucky for me I went prematurely grey. Not sure what you can do but know that you aren't the only one. Good luck!

16. FlossyNovember 17,2021 at 2:29PM UTC

    You can do a couple of things that are typically now something not done
    1) put graduation dates on resume
    2) list older jobs to give weight to your experience
    3) Make sure you are dressed on the conservative side and have make-up that isn’t trendy and makes you ageless
    4) Reference work you have done in your answers that demonstrates your depth of experience.
    5) Feel free to address it head on. They can’t ask you your age but you can disclose it - if there is an opening

17. AnonymousNovember 17,2021 at 2:37PM UTC

    Confidence is key, as mentioned by everyone else.
    But as a former performer I know dressing the part always helped at auditions. To me, interviews are a lot like auditions, so here are my tips:

    -If you have long hair, put it up. Keeping long hair down has a youthful quality to it. Plus, you're confident. You don't need to hide your face or be playing with your hair (tucking it behind your ears, etc.).
    -If your hair is short, take the time to style it.
    -Avoid shimmery highlighters or eye shadows - it's a makeup trend that's better pulled off on young skin, so using them will make you seem younger
    -Instabrows - you're going to be a director, you don't have time to create this look ;)
    -Dewy, fresh skin - adding that one to the list is hard because this is what everyone wants... So matte moisturizer, primer, foundation, and concealer.
    -Statement scarf or necklace - I think of all of the awesome females who I looked up to and they always had a statement piece

    Feel free to use one or none of these. I know that if my best friend came to me with this, stressing confidence wouldn't be enough to calm her nerves and boost her excitement. I hope this post helps and I hope the rest of you reading this don't crucify me for posting these tips.

18. AnonymousNovember 17,2021 at 2:39PM UTC

    Depending on the situation sometimes it helps to address the elephant in the room. I had a role where I had to dispatch field service, and our best supervisor literally looked like he was still in high school. Depending on the customer I sometimes 'warned' them in a friendly ay, and I always got great feedback.
    Those were usually men though, who are usually a bit more straightforward.

19. Lisa Leslie HefterNovember 17,2021 at 2:48PM UTC

    I have always looked younger than my age. I tend to address it head on-you can do that by talking about when you finished college “x” years ago or your years of experience. The other comments about styling yourself will help as well. You won’t need to do that long term because once people know you they think about your proficiency. Good luck-you’ve got this!

20. NeridaNovember 17,2021 at 2:49PM UTC

    Hi! Thanks for sharing. I'd say two impactful things out the gate are A) Handshake (or short strong gestures since it's COVID like confident eye connections B) Tone of voice. Makeup can take you so far, dressing can take you far. But if you feel insecure about your baby face, make sure they see that baby face and hear an adult. Limit "soft" gestures too: smiling, giggling, being obnoxious or boisterous. Just in the beginning till they can appreciate your uniqueness more. Think about how the young girl seemed so big and strong when she spoke out on our last president (no political debates ppl lol). But she WAS young and still stronger than many adults. And younger ppl have director positions sometimes. Don't let the world view of you change your view of you. If they were smart they'd see that as an asset. But till you find your perfect match.. As a young girl that got advanced in her career EARLY and has had many older men and women treat like a child, and at 5'2" the first two things mentioned here I've found help ppl take me more seriously. Bleached Barbie can be a director, youth can, the elderly can, and you can too. You got this!! The only thing I've found to combat ppls perception of weakness is to lead with inner strength despite all obstacles.

21. AnonymousNovember 17,2021 at 4:18PM UTC

    I agree with the posters who mentioned finding a way to directly address it, especially if everyone else in the room is closer to your age or older. I've found it's easier to name and explain any elephants in the room than wonder afterwards if that was the reason you didn't get an offer. If you're in your 40s but look like you're in your 20s, that might be as simple as talking about what you were doing "20 years ago" when you started in this field. Or mention how looking 10 or 20 years younger than your age has made you more approachable and facilitated interactions with younger staff/clients. Lots of ways to frame it without making it a central point of conversation.

22. Ann B.November 17,2021 at 4:24PM UTC

    Definitely, confidence will win them over but there are some specific things you can pay attention to that will help you seem mature. Record yourself or have a friend listen to you as you talk about yourself. You want to be sure your voice is not too high-pitched. I tend to do that when I'm nervous, so try to imagine a situation where you would be nervous and make an effort to lower your voice. Also, be sure you're not making your sentences sound like questions by raising the pitch at the end. Another vocal habit that younger women tend to have is vocal fry - when your voice gets artificially lower and crackly. Younger people tend to think this adds authority to their speech but people older than Millennials find it annoying and immature-sounding.
    Best of luck to you! I'm sure you'll crush it!

23. Healthcare workerNovember 17,2021 at 4:32PM UTC

    Tone of voice is more important than how you look with respect to seeming too young. Keep the higher pitched sing songy way of talking out of your delivery. Also speak directly, don’t cushion or hedge your answers with wishy washy language that many younger women use to seem more appealing or approachable. I was just coaching a social worker who works for us on this yesterday so here is an example to help you understand what I’m referring to:
    She would say to the families/patients that they need to find a PCP because they may not qualify to continue on our services. This was after we had told her they would be discharging and were no longer qualified per CMS regs. The family was putting it off not getting things in place and she didn’t know why. I told her to stop beating around the bush and stare directly “ you need a PCP because you are coming off service on this date.” Simple straightforward language is really the key. In an interview some ways this could happen to you is by using cushioning words instead of making a direct statement. Eliminate the words and phrases like “I judged wanted to” , maybe, I think this would, I just wanted to touch base, In my opinion, sorry etc. these types of phrases make you sound unsure, weak and young and inexperienced.

24. Healthcare workerNovember 17,2021 at 4:34PM UTC

    Typo above the phrase is I just wanted to not I judged wanted to, autocorrected for unknown reasons.

25. Karen GongawareNovember 17,2021 at 4:42PM UTC

    Just because you appear younger doesn't mean you get treated that way. I agree with Healthcare worker who said to watch the language, volume, rate, and tone of your voice. Watch what you wear, what hairstyles you use, and your body language.
    I have never treated anyone differently because they look younger or older. My treatment is based on their behavior and ability to do the job. If you are being "overlooked" for promotions then take a look at yourself (behavior, verbal, non-verbals, etc.) and not your physical "youngness."

26. AnonymousNovember 17,2021 at 6:33PM UTC

    That is great! Be prepared to discuss your strategy and plans for your team.

27. Shelby CNovember 17,2021 at 7:31PM UTC

    Dress professionally and hold yourself well. If they didn't think you were qualified, you wouldn't be there. If you want to be the boss, you need to act accordingly and that starts with confidence.

    I was on a corporate BOD at twenty-eight, the only female, and everyone was at least twice my age. It only presented as an issue once and it was sexism - not agism. One of them asked me to fix coffee. I told him I was sure that the receptionist would be more than happy to assist him.

    Best of luck!

28. Kirsten BunchNovember 17,2021 at 9:11PM UTC

    Be.your.self. You are qualified. Whether you think you are too old, too young, too big, too small, too shiny, that's what will come across. Believe that you are a kickarse boss lady who can do the job and that will come across in the interview. #coachtip Create a archetypical ally that you can envision before you go into the interview. Someone young and super confident and accomplished. It can be a character from a movie or a rockstar (Billie Eilish comes to mind). By doing this, you will calm your body and create energy that will carry you through the interview.

29. Stephanie YoungNovember 17,2021 at 10:27PM UTC

    Dress conservatively and in darker (but not black) colors. People always think that conservative goes with credibility (and age). I'd go light on the makeup and stay with a conservative look.

    There's no reason to do more than that. You're qualified AND you're young. Bottom line is that you want to be a good fit for what they want, so it's important to be yourself, be who you are, and see what they're looking for.

30. AnonymousNovember 22,2021 at 4:37PM UTC

    I was going to say the opposite about makeup. I find that when I see other women my age in heavier makeup than I'd normally wear, I think they're much older than they are. I'm not saying wear HEAVY makeup, but some lipstick I feel does make you look older/wiser!

31. Fiona EdatNovember 18,2021 at 12:21AM UTC

    Fake it til you make it - you get a job based on how well you interview, not exactly how your resume looks like. If you have been given the opportunity to interview and learn more about the role, then prepare as well as you can and show up confidently that whatever is best for you will happen. Hope that helps!

32. Kimberly MoonNovember 18,2021 at 2:59PM UTC

    Congratulations! I’m so glad you built up the courage to give it a shot! I have the same issue, along with a voice that sounds small. It is so frustrating. My solution is high heels to make myself taller. Wearing a suit, since younger women (at least in my industry) opt for more casual attire, subtle makeup and hair. And then I work to build rapport with each interviewer by finding commonalities. Then you hit em with your knowledge and experience. Let that expertise speak for itself. Good luck!!!

33. AnonymousNovember 18,2021 at 5:00PM UTC

    Record yourself speaking ans answering questions and then watch with a critical eye. Even better, get a panel of friends to watch with you. I have noticed that women sometimes 'up talk.' They end every sentence as it it's a question. It's maddening to listen to and always makes me feel that they are inexperienced and uncomfortable, even when they are talented experienced professionals. Don't do that!!