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The Curse of Youth: What If I Look Too Young?
by Barbara Reinhold
http://editorial.careers.msn.com/articles/lookyoung/

Very interesting article - since most of us probably do not look our age.

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DEAR COACH: I'm looking to move out of the small consulting firm I've been with since finishing my MBA five years ago, but I've begun to worry about looking too young to be taken seriously. My older sister, who was once a corporate recruiter, has got me worrying, because she thinks I look very immature. Even though I'm nearly 35, I still get carded regularly, and teenage girls stare and giggle, saying things like, "He's so cute." I suppose I should be flattered, but it makes me think I look more like a date for the senior prom than a six-figures-plus consultant. I wonder if you have any advice for coming across more professionally as I begin my job search.

TYLER

DEAR TYLER: Here's the good news: Organizational psychologists have shown in studies that people who are considered attractive are more likely to get hired and be promoted, independent of their performance. This is obviously maddening for most of us average looking folks, but it should benefit you. And consider the lens of the perceiver here, too: Most older sisters never quite get over seeing their younger brothers as kids.

Still, there are some things you can do to seem more like a smart, experienced consultant than a teen idol. First, err towards formality in your choice of clothing for interviews. Dress a notch above what you'll see in the office and go conservative in your choice of ties. You may feel like you're on your way to a funeral the first time you dress up like this, so practice wearing your "costume" in public a few times before your first interview. You want to seem at home in these clothes.

Your knowledge of the job, the firm and their clients will, of course, be what makes or breaks interviews for you. Don't skimp on your homework about the firm, and try to have examples of your experience that dovetail well with what you learn. If they feel that you've had similar experiences, it can only help. Also have some interesting social tidbits for the conversation. Remember the "dinner table test." People hire employees they'd like to have dinner with. What do you read, what movies or music do you like, and where do you go to relax? If you've done some spying about the preferences of those who'll be putting you through your paces, it can help you shape some of your own comments. Some test conversations with older mentors might improve your confidence too.

Most important, both during the job search and after you're hired, will be the maturity of your thinking and the quality of your judgment. You've been through case interviews before and also have real-time experience to draw on to demonstrate your analytical and project management skills. This will be a good time to show your emotional intelligence (check out Working with Emotional Intelligence by Dan Goleman) and your ability to work as a team member too.

Finally, remember that, whether they admit it or not, most hiring committees would prefer to clone themselves or their adult children. That's what makes them feel most comfortable, even though all the research conducted in the last decade says it's better to hire people different from yourself to help you make better business decisions. So do whatever you can to establish rapport with your interviewers from the beginning. See whether they lean forward in their chairs or tip backward, whether they maintain eye contact or not, whether they respond quickly or take their time, and whether or not they seem comfortable with questions that involve feelings. Then pace yourself according to the tone they set.

It's not really going to be your age that matters here, Tyler, but your ability to connect with people quickly and tune in to how they want your messages delivered to them. That's not unlike being successful as a consultant. This will be easier than you think if you insist on seeing yourself as an energetic, innovative -- but mature-thinking -- young man with an MBA and relevant experience. Just deep six the kid brother perception of yourself for now.

Good luck,
CAREER COACH