Can you be too old for your industry?

Recently at a networking event, I got chatting with a couple of ladies about age. One of them asked if I had ever been faced with any type of ageist behaviour because I work in a field of marketing usually associated with younger people. I told her no because, at the time, I couldn’t think of any instances where age was a factor, but afterwards I gave it some more thought!

Age is just a number

Discrimination on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, religion etc is covered by the Equality Act and as such is illegal, but you only need to browse the internet to see examples where age has been a factor for many people in a variety of sectors. For example, IT/tech, advertising, creative industries (animation/design), travel (airline staff), hospitality, acting/presenting, music and in some cases retail – think Abercrombie & Fitch - are all industries where age discrimination has made the news.

But surely as a business owner working in social media in her fifties and sixties, people can see past my age and instead focus on my knowledge and experience? Well, I had always hoped so, but then I remembered being passed over for some work a few weeks ago by someone I networked with regularly who effectively swapped me out for a younger incumbent. I have no idea whether age was a factor, but the fact that it might be, is worrying.

Image, language and appearance

It’s a well-used mantra that you and your business have 7 seconds to make a good first impression, which is why paying attention to how you behave, what you say and how you look is important. I have always prided myself on being honest, friendly and chatty. 

I take care over what I wear, but not obsessively, and am careful how I speak to people, but this whole age thing has got me wondering if because I am older than other social media consultants, whether this is a problem for some people. Perhaps younger people are seen as being better at creating relevant content on fashionable subjects which can engage young people? Or maybe people see social media as a young person’s game? Whatever other people’s thoughts are, I cannot control them. I can only be what I am and do what I do.

Learnt my craft

Of course, social media is a new phenomenon. The first proper social network was founded in 2002 and since then, of course, the increase in its popularity and use has been unprecedented. I got into it 11 years ago when I worked for another social media company. After three years I left and set up my own enterprise. 

Throughout this time, I have finely honed my craft and successfully built a company which has recently celebrated its 8th birthday and provides work for other self-employed creatives. I am proud of what I have achieved. I have never let my age get in the way of what I needed to do. I might not be in the first flush of youth, but I am dependable, have a strong work ethic and am loyal. Sometimes I see the new entrants to my industry come in and within a couple of years they have left – disillusioned with the levels of challenging work, effort, staying abreast of the changes/trends, whilst continuing to maintain good relationships with their clients and other business colleagues.

Change your perspective

So next time you look at someone and think, I wonder how old they are, change the question so instead you are asking, how much knowledge and experience can they provide me with?


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