The toughest part about landing a job right now is...
My age is the hardest part.
Yeah, I totally agree. This seems to be a trending pain point among similar job seekers within our community. The rise in competition for single jobs is another rising concern. Do you have an updated resume?
Send it over to Linda Qaradaghi when you have an opportunity. Linda is a Talent Acquisition Specialist with Aramark who may be able to directly connect you to a flexible hiring opportunity in your area.
Is an employment opportunity in general maintenance still on your radar? She may be able to help. Just use her name link above and send her a quick message. Be sure to include your resume for her review. Thanks Peter!
Hey Peter, thanks for sharing your feedback. Are you more concerned about being in a high risk demographic to contract the virus or are you frustrated by the lack of real hiring opportunities for older workers?
Hi Peter. I'm sorry that you feel that your age is negatively impacting your job search. Consider these 4 tips to help you succeed!
Out with the old
Eliminate experience more than 10 years old off your resume or any online form, as well as the dates you attended college. Instead, emphasize your current skills, with tangible examples, and how these match the needs of the job. Think of what is important to that potential job and what you should highlight on your resume.
Practice makes perfect
Before your interview make sure to practice. Especially because you are just getting back into the working world. Have a friend or family member ask you a few questions so you feel comfortable when it’s time for the interview. You’ll have to work a little harder than those younger competitors to show that you’ll fit in, so be sure to think carefully about how you want to be perceived. It will be worth it!
Think skills not age
Don’t focus on your age entirely, but don’t completely avoid the topic either. Instead of thinking of how you can defend how old you are, use concrete examples of your competencies and skills to show how you have a leg up on younger applicants. Ask yourself, how does MY past experience fit into what THEY do now? Support the reasons about why they should hire you versus the younger competition. What does your experience provide that someone else who has only been doing the job for 2 years? If an employer happens to ask for your graduation year or does so on an application check out what to do here
Show them you are tech savvy
Consider taking some online courses to brush up on things or even to learn new skills/info if you need to. Employers will love that you are staying current and it will show initiative that you are self educating. Remember they want someone who can keep up! Check out Lynda.com for some great online courses.
Best of luck!!
Thanks, Lenin. I found it to be the same back in 20O8, during the recession. I was 50, laid off and couldn’t get a job until I could physically talk to an employer. I’m 65, in pretty good shape, and can handle physical work, to a point. The stigma of age, and the use of the internet to ‘ease’ the hiring process so personal interaction isn’t used as much, make it harder to secure a job.