September 2005
Practical Tips for Older Workers
By
President of Workforce Associates
and author of
NetWork: Maximizing Your Career Resources on the Internet
Available online and in print from Author House
September 2005
Practical Tips for Older Workers
By
President of Workforce Associates
and author of
NetWork: Maximizing Your Career Resources on the Internet
Available online and in print from Author House
Since school is starting in September, I thought that it might be an appropriate time to return to the ABC’s of job searching on the Internet. Here is a summary of online advice that I’ve been giving to readers this summer who have been frustrated looking for jobs in this fast-paced, ever changing marketplace.
Hope that these punchy bullets will be helpful to you this month after enjoying the holiday weekend!
Tips for Electronic Resume Writing:
- Emphasize results, accomplishments, and achievements. List several accomplishments that set you apart from other job candidates. You will likely have a greater quantity and quality of achievements than will younger workers. In each job, what special things did you do to set yourself apart? How did you do the job better than anyone else or than anyone else could have done? What did you do to make it your own? What special things did you do to impress your boss so that you might be promoted? How did you leave your employers better off than before you worked for them? Accomplishments are the points that really help sell you to an employer -- much more so than everyday job duties.
- List only the last 10-15 years worth of jobs on your resume. Simply omit your older jobs from your resume unless there is a compelling reason to leave them on.
- De-emphasize dates. Certainly don't list your birth date. Omit graduation dates that are more than 10-15 years old. I often advise omitting dates from the listings of your jobs. Instead, just list the number of years you were in each job.
- If you're not willing to leave dates off your resume altogether (some employers will think you have something to hide if you omit them), consider a blended chronological-functional resume, which is organized around functional skills headings. Examples would include: management experience, marketing expertise, leadership, teamwork, etc. After listing these skills clusters, describe in 2-3 phrases several short case studies that demonstrate those skills in previous positions. Listing your accomplishments under each skills cluster has the effect of emphasizing relevant skills and de-emphasizing dates.
- Soften the job titles you list on your resume, if necessary, so you won't seem overqualified. For example, use the term, "senior manager" instead of "vice president."
- Be sure to list all courses and professional development activities, certificates, licenses, etc. that illustrate your willingness to learn and keep your skills updated.
- List all the computer and other technological skills you possess that are relevant to the type of job you're applying for.
- Be sure to mention your extensive people skills, such as teamwork, leadership, flexibility, ability to problem solve, attitude toward work, regular attendance, and willingness to work smarter and longer. Employers like these kinds of employees!
- If you are just entering the workforce after a career as a homemaker or volunteer or have large gaps of unpaid experience in your history, demonstrate that the skills on your resume are transferable and applicable to your next job.
Successfully Navigating Job Interviews:
- Realize that you will probably be interviewed by someone younger than you are and be prepared for that situation.
- Understand that you have to do more than younger workers would need to do to show yourself as a value-added employee. "Despite your age, you've got to show that you're still very current in today's workplace, such as with your computer skills," says Deborah Russell, who manages information and resources for older workers at AARP. "Tell the interviewer how flexible, adaptable, creative you can be, that you're a team player and able to work with multiple-age generations."
- Do your homework! Read every screen on the company’s website. Google the company to find out as much as you can about them. Use www.hoovers.com, www.bizjournals.com and local newspaper websites to thoroughly research the company and the field that they’re in.
- Prepare at least five questions to ask your interviewer. A successful interview is a dialogue, not a monologue!
- Stress your willingness to learn. One of the biggest obstacles to the hiring of older workers is the concern that their skills are outdated and they aren't willing to learn new skills. Show your willingness to learn based on your past record and future commitment to keeping skills updated by talking about the courses you’ve attended, workshops, seminars, conferences, and other professional development events throughout your career. Also, note your involvement in professional associations in your field.
- Show that your technology aptitude is up to date, particularly as it relates to the job you're interviewing for with examples of databases, PowerPoint presentations, and spreadsheets that you’ve prepared.
- Tell the prospective employer about your initiative and self-motivation in finding and paying for learning opportunities on your own.
- Convince the employer that you are very willing to get up to speed on any skills that may be lagging before you start your new position.
- Subtly suggest that your work ethic is unsurpassed in possible contrast to that of younger workers.
- Be sure that this prospective employer knows that your references will vouch for your reliability and stable work record.
- Stress interpersonal skills, especially your delight in working with people of all ages. If you're interviewing for a job with client or customer interaction, you may want to mention your ability to identify with an aging but expanding Baby Boomer customer base.
- Be prepared for interview questions that are inappropriate, borderline illegal, or downright unlawful. Surprisingly, it's not illegal for an interviewer to ask how old you are, although it's certainly inappropriate. For example, if you are asked any question that suggests the employer wants to know how old you are or is concerned about your age, I’d recommend your responding with a question such as: "How do you think that my age will affect my ability to do the job?" Don't be defiant or confrontational as you ask the question; remain upbeat and positive. If you're asked whether you'd have a problem working for a younger manager, I’d suggest that you respond with: "When I get to the point where I can't learn from someone younger or older than I am, I will stop working."
The AARP has studied the issue of age discrimination in depth. They have a series of articles with tricky interview questions and suggested responses: Handling Difficult Interview Questions and EEOC Ruling Puts Focus on Job Interview Questions.
Have a wonderful (non)Labor Day weekend!
Jane M. Lommel, Ph.D.
jlommel@WorkforceAssociates.com
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