The Age Strong Workshop and Job Fair series CONTINUES this Saturday!

Workshop: An Overview of Employment Opportunities for the Older Worker: Saturday, Sept 14th 10:00am - 2:00pm (Already held.)
Workshop: Skills Building: Saturday, Oct 5th 10:00am - 2:00pm
Job Fair: Saturday, Oct 19th 10:00am - 2:00pm

If you haven’t already, be sure to register HERE so you have the chance to attend the last workshop and meet with some excellent companies at the Age Strong Job Fair. Full company list coming soon!

All events will be held in the Dewitt Center in Roxbury, MA.

Please comment below with any questions!

If you think you nailed that interview or the recruiter said, Keep in touch, don't just sit and wait for the phone to ring with a job offer. Instead, be proactive. There are things you should do after a job interview that can increase the odds of getting a second interview or landing a job offer.

Learn the best way to follow up after a job interview. Following-up after a job interview is one of the smartest things you can do to help get you hired for the job. Calling or emailing your interviewer after a job interview is critical to separating yourself from everyone else. Proper job interview follow-up can singlehandedly get you a second job offer or even tip the scales in your favor and land you the job. So after your next job interview, make sure you follow up and send them a thank you letter.

Do an Interview Assessment
Immediately after completing an interview, write up a summary of the questions you were asked along with your answers. This will preserve a record of your responses for future reference if you secure a follow-up interview. Also, note anything you wish you had said to your interviewer but didn't get the opportunity to tell them. That way, if you get a second interview, you can make a note to mention these items. A thorough interview assessment will also provide you with details to address in your follow-up communications. In addition, you’ll be able to identify any problem areas in your presentation, so you can improve them and be even more prepared for future interviews.

Get Contact Information and Next Steps
At the conclusion of the interview, ask about the process moving forward. Will the interviewer be contacting candidates in a week for a second interview? Making a decision in 10 days? Do they notify everyone who applied or just the successful candidates? Knowing what to expect will help determine when to follow up and can reduce any anxiety you might feel about the whole interview and hiring process.

Keep track of everyone you talked to during this process. If you were interviewed by multiple people, record any useful information or particular concerns raised by each person. Make a note of the interviewers' names and contact information, or later ask the person who coordinated the interview for those details. Getting the names of everyone involved in your interview is crucial because you’ll want to follow up with a thank you for the interview note. A well-written thank you note helps make a great impression on your potential employers.

Follow Up With the Hiring Manager
Decisions about candidates are often made quickly, so it's important to send your follow-up email immediately, the same day if possible. You want your interviewers to remember you and these follow-ups can make a good impression. The follow-up email doesn’t have to belong. Keep it succinct, thank the interviewer for taking the time to speak with you, and mention these elements in your communication: An assertion that you believe the position is an excellent fit and you would welcome the opportunity to join their organization. Include a brief summary of one or two sentences indicating why the position is an excellent match given your assets and interests. Supply any additional information that will address areas of concern you were unable to fully address during the interview. For example, you might want to include a work sample demonstrating your competence in a key area of employer concern. Express your appreciation for the opportunity to meet, and if possible, compose slightly different personalized emails for each person rather than just copy/pasting the whole letter. Note something helpful that was shared with you by each individual. This is a nice touch—you definitely want to leave a good impression on all parties involved and be memorable. In addition, consider forwarding a separate communication expressing your gratitude to any helpful support staff people you met. Those staffers have more influence than you might think when it comes to hiring decisions. You want as many people on your side as possible.

Connect With Your Interviewer Online
It’s a good idea to think beyond the current position for which you’ve just interviewed because you're potentially creating a long-term relationship with this interviewer, even if you don't secure the immediate job opening. Review your post-interview notes and connect with your interviewer through LinkedIn by finding an opening for a connection based on a discussion that arose during your interview. Perhaps you mentioned a newspaper article relevant to their business that you'd like to forward, for instance. These connections are important because if you don’t get the current position, something might pop up later and the interviewer might think of you.

Notify Your References
Having suitable references is essential for your job search and you don’t want them to feel like they’re being cold-called by your potential employer. So, if you haven't already, alert your references they might receive a call or email and summarize your case for the job. Add in any points you want them to stress in their recommendation. In addition, If any of your strongest supporters have a contact within your prospective company, consider exploring their willingness to make an unsolicited endorsement on your behalf. People usually like to be helpful, but don’t forget to show appreciation for their endorsement with a follow-up thank you letter or email. In fact, sending a thank you note to all your references may be a good idea.

Don’t emphasize your length of experience, emphasize your capabilities!

Highlight the accomplishments you’ve achieved over the years and demonstrate your worth. Be sure to show genuine excitement about the work that you do. Instead of discussing how many years you’ve been in the field, say something like this:

This is my sweet spot! I’m thrilled about the potential of being able to bring my skills to the team! I love working within a dynamic team and collaborating with others who share my interest in this line of work.”

Mentioning some beneficial contributions and showcasing your loyalty can help make you more memorable to your potential employer!

Remember, think SKILLS not AGE!

No, no, I’m not asking you to break out the crop top and start using the latest tween lingo. But I AM encouraging you to stay up to date on current trends and technology! :)

It’s no secret that companies who have greater diversity in their employees evolve more rapidly and successfully. However, age discrimination (or ageism) is a real hardship that many of those in the workforce struggle with.

Show them you’re just as knowledgeable as any other worker! Demonstrating that continued learning is a priority of yours makes you more competitive in the market. Think about additional certifications you could earn and areas you can improve on.

Here are some great resources for expanding your skillset + staying up to date with current trends:

TED Talks

Techmeme

MIT OpenCourseWare

Codeacademy

Udemy

Lynda

What are some skills you'd like to improve on?

One of the most common questions asked during an interview or a job fair is…

Can you tell me about yourself?

Other variations could include...
-Why should we hire you?
-Why do you want to work here?
-What is it about us that makes you want to work here?

Answer these 5 questions to help you plan what to say and impress employers!

1- What are the three strongest reasons I am a great fit for this job?

2- What are some positive things I can say about the company, and how can I connect what they do with what I can bring to them?

3- Why do I really want this job beyond having a steady paycheck and perks?

4- What are three AWESOME things I did in my previous position that I can also offer in this new role?

5- What is the EXACT job description (make sure to write it down) and how do MY skills match up with it? Be as specific as possible.

Answering these questions will help you feel prepared to go in with some great things to say!

Good luck ; ) we are rooting for you!!

MassHire Downtown Boston invites you to the Food Service Job Fair on Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019!

The Food Service industry in Boston is rapidly growing and looking to hire for various roles across multiple departments. This event is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door or to take your next step towards your next job in the food service industry.

Participating Employers include:

• ABM Industries
• Air Ventures (representing Lucca Restaurant & Bar and Not Your Average Joe's)
• Chipotle Careers
• Legal Sea Foods
• Newly Weds Foods Inc.
• Roche Bros. Supermarkets
• Shake Shack
• Starbucks
• Watermark Donut
• Wegmans

Roles Include:

Store Manager, Kitchen Manager, Line Cooks, Servers, Barista, Host/Hostess, Restaurant Attendants, Production Worker, Driver Helper and more!

Pre-registration and resume upload strongly recommended: http://bit.ly/FSJF102219

36 employers with good-paying jobs have already committed to participating in this fair. 500+ JOBS WILL BE UP TO GRAB! register today and/or PLEASE share the word to help connect a job seeker with an employer http://bit.ly/31Y4v2t

US Census is recruiting canvasser $25/hr. They are also looking for Office Clerk, Office Supervisor, Recruiting Assistant, and Field Supervisor. At the job fair, there will be computers available for attendees to apply online.

Suffolk Sheriff's Department is looking to hire 20 Jail Officers, Correction Officers

Scribe America is looking to hire about 20 medical scribes

Roche Bros is currently looking to HIRE 275 PEOPLE (including in Management, Culinary Professionals, and Customer Service Associates) to open a new supermarket in Cambridge. They want to interview on the spot for these jobs:

Many other employers are seeking to fill in positions in different capacities, various levels, and all skill sets. You can find the list through https://www.boston.gov/calendar/neighborhood-career-fair-series-0

The Age Strong Workshop and Job Fair series begins this Saturday!

Workshop: An Overview of Employment Opportunities for the Older Worker: Saturday, Sept 14th 10:00am - 2:00pm
Workshop: Skills Building: Saturday, Oct 5th 10:00am - 2:00pm
Job Fair: Saturday, Oct 19th 10:00am - 2:00pm

If you haven’t already, be sure to register HERE so you have the chance to attend workshops and meet with some excellent companies. Full company list coming soon!

All events will be held in the Dewitt Center in Roxbury, MA.

Please comment below with any questions!

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do in an interview if you think you may be profiled due to your age. Michelle however, has some uncommon advice that she thinks may help you get beyond that first interview.

Michelle writes:

When your age comes up, and you have all of this education and experience behind you, every job you apply for gets turned down…Here is what I've done, and it works in getting more interviews. Explain that at your age, money is less important than a sense of purpose. At this point in your life, you want to give back…Whatever you can think of that would give you a sense of purpose and makes sense to your potential employer. After all, it is not a job if you love what you do and feel you are making a difference.

Do you agree with Michelle’s Advice? Click here to join the conversation!