70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker has discovered that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by 30-something Jules Ostin.

I love the tagline from this movie; Experience never gets old. But more than that, I love the nuances in this movie about how generations work better when they work together.

Whether you’re 20-something feeling ageism because everyone wants the old experienced guy, 60-something feeling ageism because everyone wants the new, hip “it-guy”, or 40-something feeling ageism because you’re not old enough to be the experienced gal and not young enough to be the new, hip, “it-gal,” ageism is real, but it doesn’t have to stop you from living the life of your dreams. Here are some tips on how to succeed no matter what your age:

1. There are very real differences between generations because of the influences in their lifetime. Read David Stillman’s book When Generations Collide for understanding and solutions to the ageism gaps.
2. Know the objections to your “age-group” and have a counter solution prepared. You know your value, so make it known. How does your experience or lack of, or mix of experience and middle age, make you the best person for the job. It’s all perception, so make them see what you bring that will serve them.
3. Find examples of people your age successfully doing what you want to do and reference them.
4. Stay positive and confident. Rejection hurts at any age. The faster you bounce back from a “no” the faster you get to a “yes”.

AND ACTION! 

 

1. Read about the generation gaps and devise a plan for marketing yourself
2. Evaluate your attitude; are you focused on your age or on your dream?

Ben embraced the humor in his situation, and always gave 100%. While he started out as an “intern,” by the end of the movie his value was clear. Can you embrace a situation and then make yourself invaluable?