Attitude affects behaviors and if you are thinking that you can never be young again and are too old for the job market, take solace from the research that indicates that young people can never be you!

Whatever the job market, and the hard times we are going through, your age can work for you. Yes, believe it or not it can in following five ways.

1.   Loyalty, while seemingly quaint and old-fashioned may become the “new black” because younger people are moving around so often that it is beginning to show up on the cost side of doing business. Businesses are looking for people to stick around. You know how to do that. As a matter of fact, that old statement, “You may be overqualified,” may be camouflage for fears that you may not stay!

2.  Time on your hands may be just the ticket because if you need to work a bit more, that’s fine while younger people are trying to find more work life balance.

3. A job without benefits? Sure, if you have Medicare. Believe me, I know a heck of a lot of 65 year olds who defy the old age adages and are defining themselves as wise, dependable and capable, running marathons and also who know how to do a whole lot more than someone in her 20s..

4. No ladder to climb. Those days may be over and advancing in your career is as needed now as a pair of training wheels. No, you are here and you have value and you can make things happen. Let that next employer know it.

5. You are through with moving up. Instead, you are at the stage where your biggest strength may be in developing others. Many firms now evaluate job performance by how effectively mangers mentor. Let the employer know that you are known for hiring the right people and developing them. No 23 year old can do that… for the most part.

So, fret not that you are not 23. That 23 year old will have to pay with years and tears, ups and downs. You need only go forward. Here you are and if you put your smile on, wear your best attitude and believe in yourself at whatever age you are, then you will be convincing to others.

We wind up finding what we expect to find. If we feel that there is nothing there, then we will see nothing. If we expect surprises to occur, they seem to show up. Go out there, you with your well earned wisdom and value and show how you can make a difference!