Q: My brother-in-law, 54, was laid off (downsized) from his high paying tech job 18 months ago. He has looked rigorously for a new job, but to no avail. Since he's been unemployed, his hair has turned completely white and he has grown a full beard, which is also pure white. I wonder if this is not a drawback in his job hunt. He seems to think that his resume should speak for himself. What is your take?

A: Your brother-in-law is in the tech field, which is one of the fastest changing fields, vastly populated by workers in their 20s and 30s. The competition he is up against is fierce. Younger generations know the latest in software and app development, have fast response times in learning and experimenting with new programs, and often have extensive networks of friends within the same fields whom they can call on if they need answers quickly. They've grown up with computers, from playing with computerized toys to the more sophisticated games to the business world; they are comfortable and fearless when it comes to trying new ways to access information. This is a lot for a long-time high-tech employee to compete with, without ever taking into consideration a full head of white hair and a full white beard.

A resume should feature the past 10 years of experience. It's most likely that the systems your brother-in-law started with 25 years ago are no longer sought after, so his beginning years in the field are likely of no or very little value now. As a techie from the past, he knows this.

He should also be actively networking on the various social media sites and emailing to friends and business acquaintances that he is in the job market and would appreciate leads and introductions whenever possible. That is likely the only way he is going to find another job. He needs to use every method available to further his job search.

With heavy use of social media, the question of photo usage arises. White hair alone shows age, but is not necessarily a turn off. A full white beard, however, can be a barrier to attracting people, if he has update his photos at all. Beards act as a wall to keep others at a distance or a shield to hide behind. Your brother-in-law is not in a blue grass band where the musicians can get away with funky appearances. He is in a field that requires knowledge, fast thinking, a modern mind, and a visionary approach to problem solving.

Full beards are not in style, not visually appealing and, if anything, act as a way of separating a person from colleagues. Apart from the fact that his beard is pure white, conjuring an image of Santa Claus, the old man of the sea, or a religious leader, full beards are an absolute ''no'' when applying for a job.

It sounds like your brother-in-law might be depressed over his unemployed status and over the lack of response to his resume. He may be falling into the thinking of, ''If they don't want me, I don't want them.'' Some people reach the point of refusing to play the game after a certain age, ignoring the facts that lower energy levels and an older physical appearance make a difference. They do, not just in how others see a person, but in how that person sees himself.

If you carefully observe your brother-in-law's behavior, you might notice a lower activity level in addition to an increase in irritability.

You may feel it's not your place to suggest his getting help, but his wife should consider how to get him to a career counselor who can work with him on all the factors he must focus on to get a job.

Email your questions to workplace expert Lindsey Novak at LindseyNovak@yahoo.com and follow her on Twitter @TheLindseyNovak and Facebook at Lindsey.Novak.12. To find out more about Lindsey Novak, visit the Creators Syndicate Website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Blondinrikard Fröberg