Obtain the job you seek by following the advice in this post while also avoiding common job hunting mistakes made by older job-seekers.
Let’s be honest. For most people, finding a new job (especially if you are also making a career change) in your 50s and 60s is a more challenging proposition than when you are working your way up the career ladder.
- As an older job-seeker, you face a multitude of stereotypes.
- Do NOT make it worse by also making one or more of your own mistakes.
In the current issue of AARP The Magazine, a short feature lists 8 common mistakes made by older job-seekers, including:
- Taking job-hunting too lightly. The key to job-hunting success is setting daily and weekly goals for networking, uncovering job leads, submitting applications, and going on interviews. It’s a cliche, but finding a good job is hard work, and demands a full-time commitment.
- Using outdated email accounts. Ditch the AOL, Hotmail, and Yahoo accounts and establish a professional one using Gmail. The best email format is firstname.lastname@gmail.com. If your name is taken, consider a middle initial, advanced degree initials, or even something that identifies your career goal.
- Avoiding social media. Every study highlights the importance of social media; hiring managers recruit via LinkedIn and other social media. But remember, do so only when you understand the technology AND have something to say that enhances your professional standing, highlights your unique selling proposition/career brand.
- Focusing only on salary. Depending on the demand for people in your career field with your skill levels, you may need to accept a job with a salary lower than you had been earning. Remember that there are many other elements of a good job offer including health and life insurance, vacation days, bonuses, and the like.
- Not networking. This mistake is one job-seekers of all ages make. Talk with your existing contacts, make new contacts, and share your search details not asking for a job, but asking for job leads and other assistance.
- Using longer than necessary resumes. Your resume is not your work history nor your life history but a targeted marketing document that highlights the key accomplishments, experience, skills, and education/training that make you an ideal job candidate. For older workers, stick to your last 10-15 years of experience and drop dates off your education (unless it is recent).
- Ignoring jobs in which you are not totally qualified. Employers write job descriptions with a big wish-list of requirements, but most applicants will not have every element they require. Do NOT let one or two missing requirements stop you from applying for a job.
- Waiting for the perfect job. There is NO perfect job for most of us and your goal should be finding jobs and employers that match your personality. If nothing else, getting your foot in the door with a favored employer can be the start of a great future.
A Review of Best Tips for Older/Mature Job-Seekers
- Develop your career story one that is focused, targeted, and designed to dispel any stereotypes
- Focus on accomplishments and results, not years of experience
- Showcase your flexibility, teamwork, and can-do attitude
- Research employers and salaries; have realistic expectations, regardless of how many years of experience you have
- Develop your career brand focusing on just one or two things that make you unique, indispensable
- Join and/or refocus social media site to highlight your career brand and expertise
- Consider updating skills with additional training before you start your next job-search
- Develop a resume that fits today’s style, focusing on accomplishments and keywords
- Be ready to discuss your openness to updating skills, learning new techniques
- Highlight your interpersonal and communications skills
- While job-hunting, volunteer; volunteering is a great way to be productive, update skills, and expand your network
- Consider registering with a temp agency while still job-hunting full-time
- Limit your work experiences and other details while job-hunting to help avoid the “over-qualified” label
