Helping Women Overcome a Grey Ceiling: Tory Johnson

Tory Johnson, chief executive officer of WomenForHire.com and author of "Women For Hire's Get-Ahead Guide to Career Success," was interviewed on ABC's "Good Morning America" and gave advice to women on how to beat the perception that youth rules in the workplace and how to get the most of one's career as one get older. Johnson says Americans over 40 in search of jobs are encountering something they weren't looking for: a "gray ceiling"--a career advancement barrier that many older workers face in a workplace seemingly dominated by young people. Among the tips she offered on on how to make age an asset, not an obstacle, in the workplace, are:

• Don't use age as a crutch.
• Anticipate the stereotype and be prepared to counter it.
• Don't focus on age, focus on experience.
• Anticipate industry-specific opposition.

Source: "How Women Can Avoid the 'Gray Ceiling' at Work" ABC News: Good Morning America (May 24, 2005)