Looking the part at work

[DCIDecember]

Hi! I’m 27 but regularly get mistaken for looking younger than I am. I still get ID’d and I’m also really short.

I feel like it impacts me at work; I’m a female and a line manager. I get mistaken for being more junior than I am, people comment on my age a lot, I always get people I just meet asking how I got my job at such a “young” age and my career history.

Is there anything I can do to physically look the part more at work? Outfits to go for or to avoid?

people comment on my age a lot, I always get people I just meet asking how I got my job at such a “young” age and my career history.
Let them know the company doesn't approve of ageism.

Watching with interest

I'd say getting a hair cut and wearing a power suit is a good start

No replacement for a lined face though!

I had similar issues. Earrings (conservative ones not hoops) seemed to help, as did having my hair up.

Agree it shouldn’t be an issue, but in the meantime hope this helps.

Well that would likely fall on deaf ears as people don’t seem to acknowledge ageism much, especially towards younger people

I have had the opposite problem. Young 'co-ordinator' (sort of a line manager) who seemed to think I was a doddery oldie, when I had been hired for my expertise. My male colleagues were much taller than me. The co-ordinator was at least 6 foot tall and gym-honed.

The co-ordinator didn't know enough to know that my not doing something was because it couldn't be done, not because I was refusing to do it.

Word got back to the person higher up who had headhunted me that it looked like I was being bullied and it stopped. We got the go-ahead for what we needed to get the job done and it got done.

You can't make yourself taller (other than wearing heels and a bouffant hairstyle), but you can make sure that someone sits to speak to you. Stand-up meetings are a PITA. Colleagues a foot taller will talk to each other not to you.

Work on your presence and your authority.

Margaret Thatcher wasn't tall, neither was Queen Elizabeth II, but they both had presence and authority.

People are aware of ageism and it works both ways. You're in the role because you were considered to be the right person. Your age shouldn't be a factor.

Honestly? Smile less. Be less accommodating. Ensure that nobody talks over you and be a bit less patient. Do your job to an absolutely shit hot level but do not do any favours for anyone else unless you’re sure it will be appreciated, reciprocated, or useful in future. Look for the most senior, kick arse woman in your company and ask her to mentor you.

Don't be a people pleaser. Delegate. Watch your body/non-verbal language.

Work on cutting the age comments dead as they arise, and have a summary of your career history ready.