You are an older person and have started to search for a new job, you have the experience; you have the skills… so why aren’t you getting hired? Mature people are invaluable to society, but many struggle to find roles due to the growing demand for younger generations in the workplace. However, this is not to say it is impossible, far from it. But there are certain things that may aid in a successful application process, as well as helping to find a job that is the right fit for you!
Utilise your specific USPs
The first thing is to make sure you don’t focalise your age; experience and abilities are your USPs. Rather than concentrating on the amount of years you have in a field, try talking about specific experiences and moments that have enhanced your knowledge. This doesn’t draw attention to your age, but rather highlights your desirable attributes. It is also imperative that you ensure your qualifications and knowledge fit the role’s demand. If you appear overqualified, an employer may feel you would be too expensive, or your skills wasted.
Don’t let technology scare you!
Though technology has massively evolved over the years, there are ways to use it without getting overwhelmed by the sheer amount of possibilities it offers. The first thing to do would be to update your email. Emails are normally the first point of contact that employers would use, so making sure you have an account with an easy and commonly used platform such as Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, or Hotmail is essential. There is also something to be said for creating a new email account to help you handle your work emails specifically. Creating an online presence is advantageous in today’s media-driven world. Something as small as creating a LinkedIn account (which is very simple and has easy to follow steps) can bolster your CV and add to the picture of who you are as a person. The other main use of the internet is research. Using a search engine (Google, Bing) to find extra information regarding your potential employer shows initiative and can help you feel more confident when going into an interview.
Talk to a recruiter
If you don’t have a specific company in mind, it’s worth researching and speaking to a recruitment firm who will understand your key skills and how best to present you and your skills to an array of their contacts. By talking to a recruiter, you will have the opportunity to sell yourself and discuss they types of vacancies and companies you are looking at working for. Often, a good recruiter will work on your behalf to proactively discuss your talents with their connections, often leading to meetings and interviews with organisations you never would have considered previously.
Stay current: knowledge and networking
Keeping up to date with the sectors you are interested in will help ease you into interview practice. Preparing for interviews whilst armed with current news and ideologies will make for a much easier ride. Networking within your chosen area is also always a good idea; find people who already do the job you want, or who work in a particular company, and make those connections. You never know what opportunities might present themselves.
Discussing the job search
Try not to bring up difficulties you may have had during the job search. An employer does not want to hear about how many jobs you have been turned down for, nor how tricky the process has been. Instead, focus on the positives, specifically in terms of the company you are applying to.
Ask!
It is incredibly important and necessary to ask questions to get the most out of your job search. If you are unsure what you want to do, ask for careers advice; if you don’t know how to start the application process, ask a recruiter for help; if you have a specific workplace in mind, take in a CV and ask if they are hiring/to consider you.
Although it may be a little harder to find and get a job at a more mature age, if you want something and are willing to fight for it with passion by demonstrating experience and personality, there is no reason you shouldn’t get it. You are invaluable, it’s just about making an employer realise that.