Starting a job search is daunting for anyone and can be more so, especially for those in the 50-plus demographic. The concerns and stress of the Baby Boomers – who grew up between 1946 and 1964 – may feel insurmountable. Concerns include age discrimination, financial concerns, fear, panic and the prospect of searching for new employment.
If you have been recently become unemployed it may serve you best to give yourself the time to decompress, regroup and seek advice or support to deal with the emotional shock and the financial and social upheaval of becoming unemployed. Consulting with a professional career counsellor can provide you information from self-assessments, labour market information, updating resumes and targeting organizations.
Technology has revolutionized the job search process.
While the objective of the job search hasn’t changed, technology has revolutionized the job search process. Learning the rules of engagement will prepare you before putting yourself out there on various social media sites and to potential employers. Also, while some employers are reluctant to hiring mature or retaining mature workers, many companies do welcome the experienced older employee. Using some of the points below can be advantageous to completing a successful job search.
Begin by reviewing your personal and professional network. Career Strategist Diane Voth-Stewart states that most boomers have, over the years, developed a good network. “They need to look in their own backyard.”
As a career strategist for the past 20 years, she advises the newly unemployed mature job seekers to register with or update their social networking sites such as LinkedIn. “I’m tabulating immediately what needs to be polished and corrected if they want to compete with younger people. I make sure that the resume looks up to date including the computer and software skills that need to be up to date.”
Customize your resume to address the job title that you are applying for.
Recruiter and author Joe Turner states that many mature workers have gained a broad set of skills and experience. That information will need to be translated into addressing the job description that you are seeking. Sell your results, not the length of years. Remove employer doubts by directly addressing the experience for that job calls for. Turner advises that by successfully selling your track record, employers will perceive the older job candidate as a seasoned professional that can add value to the organization and mentor junior workers.
The 2005 labour market figures issued from the federal government indicate that workers aged 55 to 64 increased from 11% to 14% during the period of 1976-to 2006, and that the employment rate increased from 22% to 30% for this age group. A 10-Year outlook for the Canadian Labour Market indicates that there are currently older workers in the labour force. This is attributed to several factors that include the loss of personal investments from the 2008 economic crises. Mature workers are working longer to make up for investment losses.
Employers want to ensure smooth succession planning in the workplace.
Don Anderson, Community Coordinator for the Third Quarter employment program that supports job search for mature workers states that employers want to ensure smooth succession planning in the workplace.
“Employers want to make sure that experienced people remain in the workforce. At age 50 people are entering the third quarter of their life and work. Besides being great mentors, they may also bring emotional maturity and a strong work ethic to the workplace.” In 2010 The Third Quarter was established as a two-year pilot partnership project between the federal government and four large chambers of commerce. It’s purpose is to support mature job seekers.
Last, the labour market statistics may well be advantageous for the mature job seeker. The facts point to mature workers being in demand as long as there are insufficient people in the Gen-Y demographic to fill the vacancies.
A successful job search strategy for the mature worker includes knowing who you are, what you can do and how you can sell your skills and experience to the employer. Use your age to your advantage by translating your accomplishments, your wisdom into solving problems and meeting the employer’s needs.