Job Seeker (2014-2016) 55+ years old - #Job #Application #Automated #Rejections Question
I have one quick question to all job seekers aged over 50: do you have all (or most) your online job applications automatically rejected on the spot (within few days after submission) with automated standard emails kind of: "Thank you for your interest in employment opportunities with our company and for giving us the opportunity to consider you for the job opening listed below. We appreciate the time you have spent on our behalf. Your qualifications for this position have been carefully reviewed, and at this time we are pursuing other applicants whose work background and skills more closely fit our current need. We wish you the best and hope you will continue to explore other opportunities at our company." All my resumes and job applications include "Education: Foreign University graduated in late 1970s."
Hi Michael. The truth is, regardless of age, most of today's job seekers receive the type of rejection emails you reference. In actuality, fewer and fewer employers are even sending those (they simply don't respond to your application if you're not a good fit). However, here are a few things to keep in mind regarding your resume format. While it's advantageous to include the name of your university and major (especially if it applies to the kinds of positions you're applying for) you should probably not include a graduation year unless you are a recent graduate. After being out of school a few years, experience plays a more important role in a candidate's evaluation.
Also, keep in mind that a resume is meant to present you and your professional experience in the best possible light. There's no rule that stipulates your resume has to include every single job you've held. Edit your resume to include those career experiences that are the most relevant to the kinds of jobs you're seeking. This is especially true if ageism is a factor. Make sure you include all your social media links to demonstrate that you are keeping up to date on the latest trends in your industry. Also, while the chronological format is traditional, you don't have to use this format if it is not positioning you in the best light. Instead, consider a "skill set" format in which you are organization your career experience by specific skill sets and specialties. This will place more emphasis on actual skills (which many employers are focusing on) rather than the number of years you have spent at each company which can be a red flag to employers.
Keep in mind, too, that many employers might be dismissing those with ample experience because either they simply don't wish to compensate them at a level commensurate with their experience or because they are fearful the candidate would resign as soon as they received a better offer. Finally, many employers are incorrectly assuming that candidates with more experience are not able to be team players who are flexible, adaptable and willing to learn new ways of working. Be sure to populate your resume and cover letter with keywords that illustrate you are both a leader and team player, one who keeps up on the latest trends and, most of all, who is agile and flexible.
It is definitely tough out there....but don't forget to highlight those advantages you have that your younger counterparts don't-----lots of experience--not just with the hard skills but with soft skills that you acquire only through years of experience (think: negotiation, mentoring, team building, strategic planning, change management, leadership, etc.)
Keep at it, consider editing out any resume content that might signal a red flag to employers and understand that it's a numbers game. In fact, recently I read a statistic that out-of-work candidates should expect that the job search will take at least one month for every $10,000 expected to earn (and many time longer depending on the market and industry). Hang in there!
At least 80% but keep applying. Someone who has been a very good HR recruiter and a good manager will see your qualifications and hire you.
Michael
You have to continue to have faith that you will land a job. Be very particular at what you want to do now that you have reached age of 50 base on your career path, experience and skill sets. Know yourself, be prepared on your next interview. Bring copies of your resume, copy the advertisement and answer each question under qualifications and experience needed in RED and pass this information to your interviewer. It better to have it written down to help you with conversation sometime. Good luck.
It is 100% true. I am in same position. When you apply for govt. job, they put you in eligibility list based on test results. You will get called when your turn comes. Again if the supervisor doesn't like you, she/he will keep on writing you up so that they lay you off after 6 mos probationary ends.
Not that age yet but I have a lot of the instant rejection letters that sound like that. Think it is for those 45 and up.
Hi Michael: There seems to be an overload of search engines. So far I received 1 rejection. But then a search engine popped up and asked if I wanted to work for them? Time for prayer.