Tips for the Older Job-seeking Population
by Teena Rose of Résumé to Referral http://www.resumebycprw.com
A red alert is probably
melodramatic, but I'm sure jobseekers in this age bracket probably feel
there is one. The bulk of the job-seeking population is currently facing
job-search woes that the elderly population has been experiencing for
years.
In recent years, I've seen that over-50 jobseekers have wised up to the
fact that age bias is still existent in America's workforce.
Armed with this information, these jobseekers are
redesigning their résumés so that obvious red flags are no longer
present. Employers are finding it more difficult to
"guesstimate" someone's age because these individuals are
eliminating older positions, degree dates, and shaving information from
the backend of their career; information that generally makes a résumé
lengthy and less focused. With a targeted
and lean résumé, an over-50 jobseeker is likely to obtain more
interviews
than with a heavy, all-telling version.
Other factors older jobseekers should consider are personal hygiene,
attire, and language skills. A person who takes the time to adequately
prepare a résumé should also take enough time to work on personal
appearance and traits too.
Certainly I'm not recommending that an individual run out and get
thousands of dollars worth of plastic surgery, or spend an insane amount
of money on a new wardrobe. I am, however, recommending that you take a
good look at your appearance. Ask yourself, could a new hairstyle or an
attractive new business suit provide an added edge?
Willingness to change your appearance is solely up
to you. Keep in mind that you'll likely be interviewed by someone
younger, so trimming a mustache, wearing a new pair of shoes or shirt,
and using ageless words during the interview, will likely make a
substantial difference.
Interviewers will ask loaded questions if he or she wants to determine
your age. Watch out for questions, covering age of grandchildren,
possible retirement date, or health status. These questions are
considered illegal; and although they're not jail-worthy, they will give
him or her the ammunition to make a tainted employment selection.
Contact the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC), if you suspect
a company of being age-biased.
Staying ahead of the technological curve, and representing this in the
résumé and during the interview, will allow you to speak to the
interviewer using acronyms and jargon that's familiar to that person. A
knowledgeable individual, regardless of age, will impress an interviewer
and leave a positive impression.
Keep a positive mindset and you'll appear young and lively. An
optimistic outlook is not always easy, particularly when you've gone on
several interviews that don't result to job offers. Support and golden
age groups--provided by county career centers and sponsored by
colleges--will provide support, a networking forum, and employment
contacts that will make your job search flow smoothly.
An over-50 jobseeker can also benefit from the help of a career coach. A
coach can help identify and resolve employment concerns, as well as,
personal and life issues that may be hindering personal development.
Filling a much-needed gap, career coaching is becoming a crucial tool
for those seeking to career transition and advance -- even at the
youthful age of 50 or more.
Take the time to notice red flags in your résumé, concentrate on your
appearance and language skills; surround yourself with positive,
resourceful professionals. I'm a firm believer that successful people
are backed by a team. It's your choice whether to play the game alone,
or arm yourself with skilled players.
Teena Rose operates a prominent and
professional resume writing service, Resume to Referral.
She’s authored several career
books, including "20-Minute
Cover Letter Fixer"
"How
to Design, Write, and Compile a Quality Brag Book"
and "Cracking the Code to Pharmaceutical Sales."
Teena Rose, CPRW, CEIP, CCM
Resume to Referral
7211 Taylorsville Road, Office 208
Huber Heights, OH 45424
Phone: (937) 236-1360
Fax: (937) 236-1351
http://www.resumebycprw.com |
