Proactively addressing the Geezer Issue

I have been reading a discussion on the excellent LIS Career Options LinkedIn group about the importance of proactively addressing issues or barriers when talking with a possible employer or client (or anyone else for that matter). That got me thinking of a recent experience I had, and how to address the issue it raised.

I'm approaching 60 and last week was told by a Gen Y'er that she was amazed at how tech-savvy I am for "someone my age." I could have gotten insulted, but instead I took it as good input from someone who probably blurted what others think. While I don't let what I imagine other people are thinking to rule my life, it's useful to be reminded that people do make generational assumptions.

I now make a point of surfacing my social media profiles, and I don't lead any marketing conversation with a recitation of my decades of experience. My aim is to show that I embrace new technology and that I'm not resting on her laurels and killing time until I can retire. ("Retire???")

Sure, some people may still assume I'm behind the times simply because I'm not 25, but at least I'm not contributing to the perception. Perhaps now is the time to take up hang-gliding...