Three Tips for the "Older" Job Seeker

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve given a few Job Search for the Age 40+ Job Seeker classes.  It’s my favorite class and we always get into wonderful discussions.  I’ve found some common themes with many of the participants though, so I’ve consolidated them here.

1.      Most people in this age bracket don’t use social media in their job search.  They apply for jobs on line or complete the on line applications that lead to nowhere but the majority of people don’t have a complete LinkedIn profile. All job seekers need a LinkedIn profile. Did I say that all job seekers need a LinkedIn profile?
A 2012 survey from Jobvite Inc., a recruiting firm said that 92.4% of companies planned to recruit through social media including 89% using LinkedIn. Completing a profile helps eliminate the false assumption that older job seekers do not like new technology. 

2.      Most people STILL have one resume and it reads like a job description. For years we’ve (those of us in the job search business) been reminding you to tailor your resume to each position. Since most companies use software that scans resumes for key words, its important to include those key words in your resume. Even companies that don't use those systems will visually scan your resume to see if it matches their requirements. A company wants to know, “What’s in it for me?” so it is also important to include measurable statements of your accomplishments. By asking yourself questions like, How many? How much? Resulting in what, you can nail down your accomplishments. 

3.      Not everyone loves to network. Unlike our Generation Y competition, many Boomers don’t like to ask for job search help or to generally network. A simple elevator speech stating your area(s) of expertise and an accomplishment or two will allow a job seeker to feel more comfortable when asked, “Tell me about yourself” or “What are you looking for?”  It’s important to practice your elevator speech to make sure that you’re comfortable with it. Remember that it should be changed or modified to suit each situation. 

These three steps will help take some of the mystery out of the job search for the older job seeker and more importantly, break through the barriers that get in their way.

Football and the Older Job Seeker

The TV happened to be tuned to the pre-game show of the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston game today. I was half listening as CBS commentator and Hall of Famer Michael Irvin interviewed Ray Lewis, a Linebacker with Baltimore. Ray is young at 36 but in football lives, he is starting to get the snide comments that he should hang up his shoulder pads. I started to listen as Ray was talking about proving himself as an older athlete. He said that he does a couple of things to dismiss the “older” stigma.

a. He tries to stay healthy with a good diet. From what I’ve read, he hasn’t touched junk food in years. A fish and veggie eater, his occasional treats are Gummy Bears and red Twizzlers.
b. He practices and focuses. Ray Lewis has kept a notebook of his practice and exercise routine for years and he sets goals to maintain his physical activity, strength and stamina.
c. He thinks positively. In an interview with CBS Sports’ Mike Freeman he said, “If people think I'm slow let me say this, “Sideline to sideline there still isn't a 'backer in this business that can beat me. Sideline to sideline. Not one. I challenge you to find one."

The same three steps can apply to the older job seeker. While we all know that it is important to maintain our health and energy with diet and exercise, Ray’s take on positive thinking and practicing his skills (as well as learning new skills) is what stuck with me. Anyone in the job market needs to make sure that they stay up to date with the current skills relevant to their positions. If this means taking classes, practicing, discussing, networking and especially learning new skills, then so be it. This is especially important to burst the stereotype of the older job seeker.

Ray Lewis recently said, “I don't know when it will all be over for me. People want to use my age against me. They say I'm too old. People fear getting old. I don't fear that because now I have wisdom and a tough body to go with that wisdom." Nice words for all job seekers.

On Being Outsourced

Yesterday I met with a new client. Her department of 31 years has been outsourced to another country. There is a possibility that the company will transfer her to a different domestic location but since that’s all up in the air, she decided to proactively take control of her future. The company offered outplacement assistance in resume preparation and severance package discussions. When I took a look at her resume I was disappointed because it read like job description. She told me that each outsourced employee was given a 30 minute meeting with a resume writer and since all the team members perform a similar job, they all have the same resume. Well, for employees who have worked for the same company since they graduated from high school or college and have never had another reason to look for another job, I guess that this new resume is better than nothing at all.

My client found me from a Job Search for the Older Job Seeker training class that I gave last spring. When she initially contacted me for help she asked for everything; resume and cover letter help, interviewing assistance and coaching, creating a LinkedIn account and networking. She also asked for help with basic computer skills such as using a thumb drive, formatting a resume using plain test, and applying for a job online.

Should you ever find yourself looking at the possibility of being outsourced (even if there is no reason in the world for you to be outsourced); you’ll need to do a couple of things to prepare.
1. Visit your local library and schedule some computer software classes. Ask the librarian for help. You’ll need Word but also the basics of job search engines or Google.
2. Set up a LinkedIn Profile, start gathering contacts and join groups. Not sure of what your LinkedIn profile should look like? Type your position in the search area and click “People” and take a look at other similar profiles. These may give you some ideas. Another idea is to Google your title followed by the words job description.
3. Write out your accomplishments. It helps to gather up any of your old performance appraisals, emails where you were acknowledged for doing something above and beyond the call, etc.
4. Google your name and see what’s out there. Clean up your Facebook, Twitter or other sites and clean up your comments and pictures.
5. Start a list of possible networking contacts and send them a note or email. Let them know what’s going on and ask if they might know of any positions, other contacts or if they would consider writing you a reference for LinkedIn and/or allow you to use them as a general reference.

Taking these steps and being proactive by readying yourself for this next phase in your career can somewhat ease the stress of the unknown. Also, take advantage of the services your company may offer you. It might not be great (as in the cookie cutter resumes of my client’s team) but it is better than nothing.

Assumptions Made by the The Older Job Seeker

I recently read a report by the MetLife Mature Market Institute® that said there are several assumptions that the older job seeker has about the job search. They call them the Significant Seven, or “Seven Mistakes That Keep Aging Boomers Unemployed”.

1. I will just do what I was doing. Many Boomers assume that they can continue doing what they did before leaving their last position. Skills and technology have changed since then. Older job seekers need to visualize themselves doing something different or using their skills in a new way.
2. My experience speaks for itself. Lots of employers would be lucky to have me. If you can’t link your skills to the employers needs then you are discounted before the interview. Older workers need to be able to explain to the hiring company how their experience can help solve problems in the future and help make that company a success.
3. I don’t have time for the touch-feely stuff about what work means to me. Older workers need to think about the value that they can bring to the workplace and reflect upon their strengths, values and passions.
4. I know! I’ll become a consultant. Many don’t take into consideration the actual skills needed to be a consultant as well as the physical demands and psychological fit.
5. Of course I’m good with computers. Re-evaluate your technical skills to see if they are relevant today. If not, don’t include them on your resume and get some training in the current technologies. See what employers are looking for today.
6. I’ll use a recruiter or some career coaching to get another job. A fresh perspective is good but unfortunately, many times the phone will stop ringing after a few weeks.
7. I’ve always been successful, so why should things be different now? Thinking that the past is the best predictor of the future isn’t going to work today. Technology, wages, and skill sets have all changed.

Next time, we’ll look at the “Five Keys to Success for Older Job Seekers” from the same report.

Workforce 55+

As an older job seeker, have you considered Title V of the Older Americans Act?  This program, established in 1965 offers older job seekers as opportunity to participate in part time work.  It is described as a program offering "part-time opportunities in community service activities for unemployed low-income persons who are fifty-five years or older and who have poor employment prospects."  New Jersey unemployed job seekers can find more information at Workforce 55+.

What Every Over Age 40 Job Seeker Should Know About Resumes

I was responding to a request to write up some resume tips that every age 40+ job seeker should know.  The following listing may look like common sense to some but if it provides a gleam of insight to just one person, then that's what counts.  They aren't in any particular order; they just popped into my mind.


Please add to the list!


1. There are no more Objective Statements.  There is now a Summary Statement which is similar to a Personal Branding statement. This is a powerful one or two line statement that sells the job applicant to the prospective employer.  It basically states, “This is why you want to bring me in for an interview.”
2. There are no more “References Available upon Request” statements on the bottom of the resume. The applicant should still have a listing of the contact information for several business references but listed separately.
3. A resume will most likely be electronically scanned for key words. If those key words are not on the resume then it will most likely be discarded.
4. Everyone needs a professional email address.  This is usually stated as name@ server address.  Never, ever have a non professional email address.
5. An applicant can list the home and cell phone numbers on the resume.
6. It is important to create a template or boiler plate resume but it must be tailored to the specific skills required on the job description.  If you apply for ten jobs then you must have ten targeted resumes.
7. When applying for a job on-line, many times the resume must be formatted into a Plain Text, PDF or other type. The same holds true for the cover letter. Learn how to format.
8. Many times the on-line application asks for a social security number and will not move on to the next level of the application if it is not entered.  This is uncomfortable and many job seekers feel that they must enter this information into the system.  An applicant can enter a number combination such as 123-45-6789 to get past this.
9. Only capture your job experience for the past 10 – 15 years.  All other experience can be categorized on the resume in an area entitle, “Other Professional Experience”.
10. Don’t use too much paragraphing in the resume, use short sentences and bullets.
11. Always use measurements to support your accomplishments.  For example, how much money you saved, how many clients you recruited, etc. Refer to past performance appraisals for specific measurements
12. Identify and speak to your Transferable Skills.  These are the skills that you developed as a result of your volunteering or work in a particular position.  For example, if you worked in retail, you will need to work with a variety of customers.  These same skills can transfer to a different organization. In volunteering as a little league coach, you will need leadership skills, planning, problem solving, etc.  These transferable skills can be listed on a resume.
14. Stay on top of industry buzz words and jargon.  Things change so Google your industry and research the changes in language or processes.
15. Review the job openings for your particular job within the various internet career sites to identify the skills, knowledge and behaviors needed. Position yourself with these and incorporate these into your resume. Be truthful.
16. Look up your job in the Occupational Outlook Handbook and review your general job description.  You may be able to pick up some key words or phrases to use for your resume.

Discouraging Statistics for the age 50+ Worker

I have been giving job search trainings for almost two years now.  Of the seven topics that I present, the most requested is Job Search for the Age 40+ Worker.  I have also noticed an increased number of people aged 50 and over attending any of the job search classes.  As seen in many of LinkedIn discussion groups, unemployment continues to be a  growing, emotional issue.  The stories that I have read are heartbreaking and so discouraging and many of these people are over the age of 40.  Their skill sets are remarkable and their willingness to get back to work is fierce.  They are also some of the most compassionate people that I have ever "met".

It is for these reasons that I wasn't surprised when I read the statistics in the recent Human Resources Executive Online newsletter.  The statistics correlate with my unscientific data.  What do you think? What suggestions do you have for the unemployed job seeker who is over the age of 50?