Is Your Age Your Best Job Hunt Asset?

While hunting for a job is never easy, if you are a seasoned worker, you have assets younger folks don’t. First and foremost, you have experience. When talking to a prospective employer, be sure to emphasize how, “I can do that! Here are all the things I can do based on my years of experience.” Talk about the problems you’ve solved, challenges you’ve overcome and innovative solutions you came up with. Emphasize the value of that experience-bank. The unemployment rate for workers aged 55 and older in October 2009, was just 7%. This is far below the national average of 10.2%. A significant portion stays unemployed longer, however. Age bias does exist, and the tough economy isn’t helping anybody. But, you are a valuable employee with so much to offer employers. Here are some strategies for you. Create an online presence. This is a two-for-one idea. First, go to LinkedIn and create a profile. Detail your work experience for what kind of job you want. Just like a résumé, only put down what is relevant or the job you want. Let’s use Tom as an example. Tom spent nine years working in a large financial institution. He went from bank teller to branch operations officer. He hated it. So when he created his LinkedIn profile, he listed the job, but put down no details. On the job he had and loved, working as a grant-writer for a non-profit, he put down relevant details and accomplishments. He also moved it up on the list. When he wrote his profile, he briefly mentioned his experience in a variety of industries. Then he talked about his passion for fundraising for a cause he believed in. He went on to talk about some great causes he’d like to be involved with more closely. Second, it also is a demonstration of how an “old dog” has learned a new trick. One way to alleviate fears about your age is to keep up with the times. Make connections with others. Participate in online industry-specific groups on the site. Include a link to your online presence in your résumé. Write a recommendation for someone, and have them return the favor on LinkedIn. Confront the stereotypes. In your cover letter or résumé, say how you adapt to change. Talk or write about how you adapted to changing corporate policies and directions at a previous job. Emphasize that you adapted well. If salary is an issue, explain how you’ll be cheaper to train because of your experience. If the threat of retirement is the employer’s worry, talk about how you do plan on working for another ten years or what you plan. If the hiring manager is afraid you’ll want their job, talk about how you bring leadership experience, but don’t need a leadership position. Talk about mentoring younger or less experienced colleagues. Stay current. You want to be an irresistible candidate. You do that by staying current in your field. Talk to people who are working in your industry and/ or attend workshops and conferences. Talk to younger workers. Ask everyone, “What are the hot issues today?” Then be knowledgeable about the challenge or be prepared with a solution for the interview. Your résumé. Create a skills-based or functional résumé relevant to the job you are applying for today. Tailor everything towards that specific job. Focus on the experience that is relevant to this job. Don’t include everything. If “everything” relates to this job, only go back 10-15 years. The exception? If you want a job like you had when you first entered the job market thirty years ago, by all means list that job. Tie your relevant experience from other jobs back to this job. Remember, skills are transferrable and portable. Stand out from the crowd. Make your story stand out. Start off with a strong attribute you have for the job in your cover letter. For a teaching position: “The demand for dedicated teachers has never been greater. America’s future requires experienced professionals, like me, willing to share and teach.” For a grant writer for a domestic abuse shelter: “The demand for your services is greater than your ability to answer. As an experienced professional with a passion for helping people, I will write successful grants for you.” Let me know how your job hunt is going. What are your particular challenges? Share your experiences in the comments section. Or, send me an email to eal@EALCoaching.com . I’d love to know how you are doing and what strategies you are using. A dream with a plan is a goal. A goal without a plan is just a dream. Warmly, Elisabeth Elisabeth Adler-Lund Executive And Life Coaching Telephone: 916 • 803•1494 E-mail: eal@EALCoaching.com