There are many bright sides to being an older job seeker. You know your strengths and weaknesses. You're eager to learn new things. You bring a level of experience, wisdom, and dedication that can't be matched by younger workers.

All that said, interviewing as an older applicant can feel scary, especially if you haven't interviewed for a job in a long time (or ever). Here are nine tips to help you present yourself in the best light and make a winning impression on potential employers.

How do I interview as an older person?

1. Prepare for questions beforehand

While interview questions will vary from employer to employer, there are certain ones that tend to appear time and again. These include:

• “Why do you want to work for us?”
• “Why should we hire you?”
• “Why did you leave your last job?”
• “What are your short- and long-term goals?”
• “What are your biggest strengths / weaknesses?”

Think carefully about how you want to answer these questions and practice your responses—either in front of a mirror or with someone else. The more you rehearse, the more calm and self-confident you’ll appear during your interview.

2. Let your enthusiasm shine through

During your job interview, make it clear why you were drawn to the organization. Maybe you’ve always loved working with children. Or you're a loyal, longtime customer of the store you're interviewing with. If it's a charitable or service organization, you may feel a calling to help the people in your community. Speak from your heart, but avoid saying you need the job to pay your bills or supplement your retirement savings—even if it’s true.

3. Ask questions

A job interview gives potential employers the chance to evaluate your skills and talents. It’s also an opportunity for you to get to know the company and see if it’s right for you. Do some research ahead of time by browsing their website and social media profiles. Get a sense of what the company does and what their mission is.

At the interview, probe further by asking questions about the organization’s culture and values. This shows you’ve done your homework and are interested in making sure there’s a mutual good fit.

Examples of questions you can ask include:

• “Who will I work with day to day? What other business units or departments will I collaborate with?”
• “What are the immediate projects or tasks I will be expected to take on?”
• “How do managers give feedback to employees?”
• "Are there opportunities for additional education and training?"
• "How does your company reward employees for their achievements?"

4. Emphasize your ability to adapt

People age 60 and older are vulnerable to the stereotype that they’re stuck in the “old ways” of doing things. This may be especially true with younger hiring managers. You can combat this misconception by showing employers that while you have a lot of experience, you’re also open to new concepts and ideas. You embrace innovation and are always willing to learn something new—like how to use digital tools to your advantage in the workplace.

5. Highlight any technology skills you have

Another driver of age discrimination is the idea that older adults are not technology savvy (this, of course, is not the case). Instead of waiting for tech-related questions from the interviewer, be proactive and address this issue right out of the gate. Look for opportunities to mention how you've kept up with the latest technologies, whether it's taking a computer class or staying active on social media. If you're skilled in specific software tools related to your field, make it known and provide examples of how you've used those tools in other job roles.

6. Be ready for virtual interviews

Many companies today are choosing to perform initial interviews using video-conferencing technology. Make sure you're prepared for this possibility. Find out what platform the employer uses (such as Zoom) and get familiar with it before your interview. Do a test run to confirm that your camera is well positioned and the audio works properly. You could even do a mock interview with a friend or family member to help you get comfortable with the video interview format.

7. Keep your responses brief

If you tend to be talkative, make an extra effort to keep your answers to questions as concise as possible. Focus on giving the interviewer only the information they need—and resist offering elaborate explanations or getting sidetracked with personal anecdotes. "You must remember that the human attention span is much shorter these days, "Regina Rear-Connor, a New York-based talent acquisition leader and consultant, told Monster. "When you go down that rabbit hole, you lose the attention of your interviewer."

Additionally, try not to oversell your experience. Interviewers are mostly concerned with recent experience that relates to the role you’re applying for. Instead of listing out everything you’ve worked on or accomplished over the years, select parts of your work history that show you’re qualified for the job at hand.

8. Dress to impress

When it comes to interviewing for older adults, appearances matter. A business suit is appropriate for most job interviews, even if the workplace dress is more casual. Always err on the side of dressing too formally.

Other tips to keep in mind:

• Shower, shave (if applicable), brush your teeth, and comb your hair before the interview.
• Keep makeup simple.
• Do not wear heavy fragrances (like perfume or aftershave).
• Avoid chewing gum during the interview.
• Wear clean, pressed clothes.
• Wear clean, shined shoes (not sneakers or flip-flops).

Does age matter in an interview? It may—but you can shift the focus elsewhere by highlighting all the value you can bring to the organization. Showing you’re passionate, proactive, and flexible can help you stand out to employers and make age a non-issue.

9. Send a thank-you note after the interview

You've put a lot of time and thought into preparing for your interview, and you think it paid off. But you're not done yet! Don't forget to follow up afterwards with a simple note of thanks to the potential employer. Since few people tend to send a post-interview thank-you note, doing so helps set you apart from other older job applicants. It shows good manners, and it gives you an opportunity to reinforce your interest in the role and your qualifications.

Get more interviewing tips in this free, online course

Career Management Essentials is a free, online course from IBM SkillsBuild. Beyond learning more about the interview process, you'll find out how to create a standout resume, using AI tools to enhance and tailor it for different jobs.

Signing up is easy:

• Visit the course sign-up page.
• Create a free account using your email or Google account.
• Click "Enroll" and start building your career skills!

IBM SkillsBuild also offers free courses in artificial intelligence (AI) basics, building a strong professional skill set, and using digital tools to work smarter.

How do I get a job when I'm older?

Searching for a new job? Or returning to work after a break? NCOA's employment tool, Job Skills CheckUp, was created to help older adults learn how to succeed as a mature worker.  All you have to do is tell us about your goals and describe your current employment situation. Job Skills CheckUp will create a personalized plan to help you find job openings, build a professional network, prepare for job interviews, and more.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is also a great resource for help. SCSEP helps certain unemployed older adults age 55+ find gainful employment in a number of service areas. Should you meet the program guidelines, you’ll be matched with a part-time position that allows you to build skills and confidence while earning money.

Most people who participate in SCSEP are able to use their experience to find a permanent job. Just ask Karyl-Ann. After her rent went up, she was at risk of losing her housing. By chance, she learned about SCSEP from a friend. SCSEP placed her at Jackson County EMS, where she learned valuable skills on the job. Following 18 months of training, Karyl-Ann was offered a full-time position—and now she's thriving. "I'm so lucky," she told NCOA.

A note about SCSEP: Like many federally funded programs, SCSEP is going through some funding-related changes.

What to know:

• The program is still active and available in many communities 
• Funding varies by location, with some areas seeing brief pauses and others resuming services
• Start times may differ based on local funding and availability 

It's still worth applying. This can help you stay connected as opening become available. Find your local SCSEP office to get started.