Approaches And Tactics For Older Workers Who Can't Find A Job


by Anna D. Banks, GCDF - Date: 2007-06-08 - Word Count: 554 Share This!

Trying to get a job has never been a cakewalk, even if the person is young and energetic. So this does not necessarily make it twice as harder for people over 40 to get a job. Though it plays a major role in the job opportunities, using the right advice and tactics can put that job in your pocket. So here are a few approaches and tactics that can let the 40+ get a job-

1. The first step is to believe that experience is a magnet. Potential employers like to have experienced people, as they are more matured toward handling difficult situations. So it is best to find a company where your experience can match the company needs.

2. If you want a part time job, convince the employer in a subtle fashion the pluses of having you as a part time employee The benefits can be with regard to company savings like salaries, incentives etc.

3. When making your resume, it is best not to avoid details of experience, take pride in the things that you have done and be excited about what you can still do. But remember that resume should not dwell on the things you have done in the past, but as experience that would be used in what you would like to accomplish.

4.Update your skills, especially those related to the computer. Age doesn't count when the skills are right and in today's world, computers are the master blasters.

5. If the interviewer is younger, give examples of how well you have worked within a younger environment. Mention the attributes that you have which are normally related with younger people.

6. Volunteering also helps, as quoted in an article by the BBC "it keeps a work-based routine and keeps you involved in the community" and this in turn leads to networking. This plays an important role since jobs at higher levels are not advertised or to a small extent and the require people with a lot of experience.

7. Also avoid trying to hide your age and even associate the experience you have with your age, studies have proved that the worst thing a job seeker could do is try and emphasize the positive qualities which employers associate. A useful idea that old jobseekers can do is start their resume with experience and qualities and mention their age towards the end on the second page.

8. Consider returning to work for your previous employer, after all you will have more people who can pledge for you. However, if you have been downsized then its best to pick up a job as soon as possible, since the longer you have been unemployed the more difficult it is to get a job.

9. When seeking a job, broaden your search. Dale Dauten along with Kate Wendleton in a syndicated column said, "At age 40, 40 percent of employers won't consider you; at age 50, it's 60 percent; and at age 60, it's 80 percent. Those are grim numbers, too high, but I want to illustrate a point. If at age 40, you picked 10 companies you wanted to work for, four wouldn't even consider you, leaving six. At age 58, and wiser, you know to broaden the search to identify 30 target companies. Guess what? That leaves six who would consider you, the same number as at 40 years".

Related Tags: job, experience, older, age, worker

ANNA D. BANKS is a career marketing coach, small business marketing consultant, speaker, and author. Since 1996, Anna has helped hundreds of job-seekers, managers, business owners, and sales professionals achieve career success. For more information visit www.CareerCoachAnna.com

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