“Younger brains, predictably, are set up to focus on the negative and potential trouble. Older brains, studies show, often reach solutions faster, in part, because they focus on what can be done.”
As a middle aged worker (deemed to be someone in the 40 – 60 year age bracket) the job search process can bring with it extra challenges. Age discrimination is a big one, with too many employers overlooking the experience, expertise and brain power a middle aged worker brings; instead opting for the youth and energy of younger applicants. According to new research in a post Brain Functions That Improve with Age, as we get older we become a greater asset to employers due to our brain changes.
“Over the past few years, neuroscientists have begun to zero in on the brain’s changes in middle age, and what they’ve found is encouraging. Results of long-term studies show that — contrary to stereotypes — we actually grow smarter in key areas in middle age which, with longer life spans, now stretches from our mid 40s to our mid to late 60s. In areas as diverse as vocabulary and inductive reasoning, our brains function better than they did in our 20s. As we age, we more easily get the “gist” of arguments. Even our judgment of others improves. Often, we simply “know” if someone — or some idea — is to be trusted. We also get better at knowing what to ignore and when to hold our tongues.”
This is an interesting article for anyone involved in hiring or who is considered middle aged, job seeking and is finding that doors are not opening. It may well be worth raising some of this research in the interview when questions come – “Why should we hire you?”





Last month I was delighted to be invited to speak at 
