Older job hunters will find it’s different from the same process when they were younger. There are some common mistakes that can be easily fixed. Among them:
You can’t both sit back and relax as if you were fully retired and look for work. Actively be seeking a job if that’s what you really want. Employers can spot the self-starters. Consult or do blogging in your field to raise your profile. And use the resources you have gained during your career. Network. Finding a job through an old associate or family member is the most likely route to a new position.
Don’t boast that no one can find you online. You want connections. Tweet, friend and otherwise connect. LinkedIn cited by 94 percent of recruiters in a group of 1,885 as their primary source for recruiting. Don’t confuse privacy with invisibility. Use social media.
Pay can be an issue. If you insist on making a job change and receiving the same salary, you may find your options limited. To balance the scales, negotiate for more flextime, vacation and other perks so you don’t feel the difference as much.
Don’t assume that you are bothering people by making your wishes for a job known. Use every resource you can call on, including those who associate with your children, church or social acquaintances, even store clerks or those who go to the same gym. Never pass up an opportunity (without being pushy, of course.) Even if the person you approach does not have a job to offer, he or she may know of someone who does. Facebook may be useful.
Don’t expect a long resume to impress a prospective employer. A two-page limit should allow you plenty of space to recap your work experience. A human resources representative is likely to spend only 20 to 30 seconds scanning it. Briefly highlight those accomplishments you feel were most beneficial to your previous employer. Don’t go back more than 10 years. And be sure your resume is neat and edited.
Apply even if your experience does not match the job description in every particular. The posting should be considered the ideal, but may not be requisite in every detail. A willingness to learn and a healthy work history are likely to weigh more in the mind of the hirer.
If you assume that patience alone will reward you with the perfect job, forget it. Don’t assume you can hold out for the absolutely ideal fit. If you try to recreate the job you had before, you will only be unhappy with anything new. Identify what part of your work experience is transferable and then develop an attitude that learning something new will be fun and exciting.
