You are over 50 and have just lost your job. You panic; you’ll never be able to find another job because no one wants to hire “older people.” Many people cling to this old belief and will sabotage their own job search efforts because of this attitude. Fortunately many of today’s employers appreciate the maturity and work ethic of older workers and this can offset the simple fact that they have lived for a few decades.

Does being older place you at a disadvantage in the job market? It would be foolish to deny that age discrimination does exist. But many people feel that they have faced discrimination based on being a teenager looking for a first job, lack of educational credentials, being black, being a women or being disabled. Almost every worker feels they have faced some type of discrimination at one time or another. But the fact that they are working proves that they were able to overcome the perceived negatives and obtain employment. In other words persistence pays.

Just as with other types of prejudice, there are ways to minimize the perception that you are too old to work. The first step is to change your own attitude. If you think you will not be able to find work because of your age, you may feel discouraged and this attitude will come across in the interview. Instead, view the experience you’ve gain as a valuable asset. It is up to you to demonstrate to the employer that you already possess the skills, talents, background and work ethic that they are looking for and would probably not be able to find in a much younger person. The older worker is also more mature, more reliable and accustomed to the requirements of a changing workplace. Businesses are finding that people over 50 can often perform the job just as well if not better than a younger person and they have fewer of the issues that cause young people to be absent from work.

Secondly, don’t hide your age. If you act like you think you are too old for the job, employers may agree with you. You should update your image so you look and feel more confident, which will help boost your energy level. While you don’t want to look like an overgrown teenager, you can update you hairstyle and wardrobe to project a sleek contemporary image. Invest in classic styles that never appear trendy and which present a professional look. Pay attention to your handshake, posture and eye contact so that you come across as a confident, vibrant, high energy person. Project yourself as cheerful, flexible and positive and back that up with proof of your skills and past successes and many employers will be happy to have you on their team.

The good news is that society and cultural attitudes are undergoing drastic and rapid changes towards older workers. Many companies are beginning to realize that the throngs of active, healthy baby boomers who are eager and willing to continue to be productive, can make an invaluable contribution to their bottom line.

Jobs for older people are plentiful if you know where to look. There are numerous services available designed to assist senior citizens with employment and other needs. For example, Retireecareers.com is an online database which contains approximately 50,000 jobs, specifically targeting retirees seeking a job, older workers over 50 or senior citizens. Jobseekers can search the website for free or pay for a subscription package which includes career counseling, resume critiques and guaranteed resume placement. Either way the site gives older workers the advantage as employers on this site already realize and appreciate their value. In addition, AARP and the Council on Aging offer a variety of services including employment assistance. Now you don’t have to give up your career just because you are older unless that is your choice.