Smart strategies can get older workers in the door

Sep 12th, 2005 | By Bill | Category: Employment News



Smart strategies can get older workers in the door – 09/12/05:

Why is it so difficult in some professions to find a job when you have 10, 15 or 20 years of experience?

Sometimes it is because employers discriminate and other times it is because hiring managers make assumptions about middle-aged or older employees.

If you are discriminated against because of your age, there are legal remedies available. Unfortunately, the litigation route is not always possible or feasible.

However, if the reason is a hiring manager’s misperception, there are things you can do.

They may think you won’t be happy in the job, or that you’re expecting more money than they can offer. They may believe you’re not up on the latest technology. Maybe they believe you wouldn’t fit in with the staff, or that you wouldn’t relate to their client base. They may think you’d take the job only until you find what you really want.

Sometimes rejection is based on the experiences of the employer and sometimes on prejudices of the employer. Unfortunately, some human resource managers are conditioned to look for reasons not to hire potential employees rather than reasons to hire them since they review so many applications.

How do you get around these issues and land the job? By determining your strengths, creating and using advantages and projecting a positive and focused image.

The biggest advantage you may have over younger employees is your network of contacts and friends developed during your career. Many may be in high-level jobs and aware of opportunities.

Use these contacts to locate potential positions and to further expand your network. Most positions are found through networking.

Next, update your resume. Review the new employment publications for resume examples. Set up a resume for Web use.

If you are concerned about your older employment record or dates, set up a plan to lessen them and concentrate more on your skills and more recent activities. Consider listing only your most recent jobs. Then concentrate on your overall skills and accomplishments. Provide schools and degrees received, but omit dates.

If you have a target company, find out what its hiring needs are now and in the near future. Set up your background, skills and education to fit those needs.

Consider using a summary at the beginning of your resume. Determine a focus and “stick to it.” Use a cover letter to complement your resume.

Not all human resource managers agree with the strategy of not providing all of your job history. So just in case, have a chronological resume available for those occasions.

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