Tag Archives: Job Hunt Advice
April 9, 2012 How to Get Hired as an Older Worker
By Margaret Smith, UXL:
SPEAKER | CAREER COACH | CERTIFIED INSIGHTS DISCOVERY PRACTITIONER
As I mentioned in a previous post, older unemployed workers face a more of a challenge when searching for employment than other demographics. I’ve compiled a list of some helpful reminders for the older worker’s job hunt that will help you to keep your best foot forward at all times.
> Never forget what you’re worth: Older workers are dependable, have advanced problem-solving abilities, and are just as productive as younger workers.
> Stay enthusiastic and excited: No matter what your age, if you come off as exhausted, bored, resentful, or frustrated, you’re giving interviewers a bad impression.
> Keep your exchange respectful, no matter your age difference.
> Highlight your creativity through specific examples of your past work.
> Emphasize your past loyalty to your company.
> Edit your resume: Avoid the “too old” impression by limiting your “related experience” to the past 15 years, excluding graduation dates, and paring down your list of employment experience by saying “5+ years” instead of “30 years”.
> Explain you’re prepared to hit the ground running. Share examples of your ability to learn quickly with the interviewer.
> Take advantage of your expansive network—it’s still the best way to find work.
> Keep all mentioned accomplishments current.
> Make sure your dress is up to date, instead of dating you.
> Avoid feelings of defeat or apology for your age—this is not a topic that should be on the table during an interview, nor is it relevant to the conversation.
> Don’t limit your job search to exactly what you were doing before—consider a career change, why not?!
> Don’t mention upcoming retirement hopes.
> Stay current with new technology. Take a class, solicit the help of another, and do your research.
If you’d like help relaying your skills, interviewing, and branding yourself during the job process, contact me today to learn how I can help.
Tags: Common Interview Mistakes, Confident Interviewing, Interview Do's, Job Hunt Advice, Older Workers
March 21, 2012 Solving the Challenge of Older Unemployed Workers
By Margaret Smith, UXL:
SPEAKER | CAREER COACH | CERTIFIED INSIGHTS DISCOVERY PRACTITIONER
Today I read a fascinating article published by the Urban Institute titled “Can Unemployed Workers Find Work?” that really changed the way I think about the challenge older unemployed workers face in today’s job market.
Let’s face it–we all know about our own experiences, but how did job loss affect Americans in a larger sense? Read on for the real story about how the “Great Recession” has affected the American workforce.
Who Really Lost Jobs
As we all witnessed, and in many cases firsthand, people rapidly lost jobs as the recession swelled. According to the Urban Institute, the male workforce was hit slightly harder than the female workforce, with monthly male unemployment rates averaging “10.3 percent in 2009 and 10.5 percent in 2010, the highest since reliable records began in 1948.” These percentages compare with women’s job prospects, “which were only slightly better… whose unemployment rate averaged 8.1 percent in 2009 and 8.6 percent in 2010.”
You know what else I learned? This unemployment stuck around—and it’s not just you. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a shocking 31% of unemployed adults had been without work for more than a year in the second quarter of 2010.
The Good News for Older Workers
Contrary to my expectations, if you’re an older worker, you’re actually less likely to be fired. Workers employed in wage and salary jobs in the second half of 2008 age 50 to 61 were “34% less likely than those age 25 to 34 to lose their jobs within 16 months.” And, what’s more, unemployment rates are consistently lower for older workers.
Unemployment among Older Workers Hard to Defeat
So there’s less of a chance that an older worker will be laid off, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t, and didn’t happen. Now what? Unfortunately, if you’re an older worker who’s been laid off, studies show it will take substantially longer to find employment. “Workers age 50 to 61 who lost their jobs between mid-2008 and the end of 2009 were a third less likely than those age 25 to 34 to find work within 12 months, and those age 62 or older were only half as likely.”
That means that although less older workers were laid off, it was 33-50% more difficult to get back on your feet again. No matter what your age, however, getting back to work was no piece of cake. Workers age 25 to 34 were faced with a 36% likelihood of finding a job within a year, compared to 24% likelihood for workers age 50 to 61, and 18% likelihood at age 62 and older.
Not only are older workers toughing it out to reenter the job market, they’re also settling for a lower wage.
(source: www.urban.org)
So how do older workers combat these daunting statistics? I advocate the active pursuit of training, taking advantage of employment services, and reaching out in new and open-minded ways. Let’s face it, being stuck in the job hunt—especially for a longer period of time—can really be a drain on your motivation and positive energy. If you think that your progress toward your next career could benefit from a guiding, professional career coach, contact me today to learn how I can help you find direction and energy once again.
Source: “Can Unemployed Older Workers Find Work?” by Richard W Johnson and Janice S. Park, Urban Institute
Tags: Career Coaching, Job Hunt Advice, Stuck at the Crossroads
December 8, 2011 10 Things to Do AFTER the Interview
By Margaret Smith, UXL
SPEAKER | CAREER COACH | CERTIFIED INSIGHTS DISCOVERY PRACTITIONER
I’ve written and spoken a lot about the tactics for interview preparation and performance that will give you a competitive edge. But there are things you can do after the interview that might up your chances of getting that “We would like to offer you the position” phone call.
These 10 tips for interview follow-up from careerbuilder.com are great reminders of the little steps that can generate huge results:
1. Show that You Are Still Interested:
As I often remind workshop attendees and my coaching clients, you have got to ask for the job at the end of the interview. Make a statement such as, “I would really like to contribute to this company and I hope you select me.” And don’t forget to gather a clear idea of what will happen next in the hiring process. Will there be another interview? When should you expect a call back?
2. Set the Stage for Further Contact:
Don’t let your silence as days pass be interpreted as indifference. Before leaving the interview, find out what the employer prefers in terms of checking in.
3. Be Punctual:
If you’ve made any promises, such as forwarding a list of references, make sure you do it in a timely manner to demonstrate your seriousness and professionalism.
4. Know When to Sit Tight:
If the interviewer requests that you follow up by phone in a week, respect this request. Calling or emailing any sooner could come off as pushy and disrespectful.
5. Send a Thank You Note:
A positive, thoughtful way to remain in an employer’s mind is to send a handwritten thank you note after the interview. I’ve even heard some professionals suggest that bringing a card to fill out in the lobby post-interview to drop at the front desk is a quick and original touch.
6. Send Each Interviewer a Personalized, Powerful Follow-up Letter:
In this letter, include specific references to each person you met and tie your accomplishments directly to the company’s stated challenges, suggests Ford L. Myers, career coach and author of “Get the Job You Want, Even When No One’s Hiring”.
7. Address one of the Company’s Needs:
Companies are interested in hiring people who will not only adopt their tried-and-true business tactics, but who will also answer some of their pressing business challenges. Consider creating a proposal on how you would address one of the company’s weaknesses or areas of possible expansion.
8. Keep Thinking and Learning about the Company:
Don’t stop researching the company and its field just because the interview is over. Continuing to learn gives you something substantial to contribute to any follow-up conversations and demonstrates your interest in the opening.
9. Leverage Outside Resources:
Networking should never stop. “If you have contacts and connections with anyone who might influence the hiring decision, or who actually knows the interviewer, ask her to put a good word in for you,” Myers says.
10. Accept Rejection with Grace:
Never burn bridges when facing the message, “We regret to inform you that we’ve decided to go with another candidate.” Keep your response positive and even consider sending a thank-you email or letter thanking the employer for the opportunity and the follow-through.
Do you have questions about developing your career, business, or landing the job of your dreams? Would your career benefit from informed advice about finding more customers and building a network that gives back? Contact UXL Today to transform the future of your business or career through guided professional coaching.
Tags: Career Coach Advice, How to Interview, Interview Follow-up, Job Hunt Advice, Things to Do After the Interview, What to Do After the Interview
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