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workforce.
Armed with this information, these jobseekers are redesigning their
resumes so that obvious red flags are no longer present.
Employers are finding it more difficult to "guesstimate" someone’s
age because these individuals are eliminating older
positions, degree dates, and shaving information from the
backend of their career; information that generally makes a
resume lengthy and less focused.
With a targeted and lean resume, an over-50 jobseeker is likely
to obtain more interviews than with a heavy, all-telling version.
Other factors older jobseekers should consider are personal hygiene,
attire, and language skills.
A person who takes the time to adequately prepare a resume should
also take enough time to work on personal appearance and traits too.
I’m certainly not recommending that an individual run out and get
thousands of dollars worth of plastic surgery or spend an insane amount of
money on a new wardrobe.
I am, however, recommending that you take a good look at your
appearance. Ask yourself, could a new hairstyle or an attractive new
business suit provide an added edge?
Willingness to change your appearance is solely up to you.
Keep in mind that you’ll likely be interviewed by someone
younger, so trimming a mustache, wearing a new pair of shoes or shirt, and
using ageless words during the interview, will likely make a substantial
difference.
Interviewers will ask loaded questions if he or she wants to
determine your age.
Watch out for questions, covering age of grandchildren, possible
retirement date, or health status.
These questions are considered illegal; and although they’re not
jail-worthy, they will give him or her the ammunition to make a tainted
employment selection.
Contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), if you
suspect a company of being age-biased.
Staying ahead of the technological curve, and representing this in the resume
and during the interview, will allow you to speak to the interviewer using
acronyms and jargon that’s familiar to that person.
A knowledgeable individual, regardless of age, will impress an
interviewer and leave a positive impression.
Keep a positive mindset and you’ll appear young and lively.
An optimistic outlook is not always easy, particularly when
you’ve gone on several interviews that don’t result to job offers.
Support and golden age groups — provided by county career centers
and sponsored by colleges — will provide support, a networking forum,
and employment contacts that will make your job search flow smoothly.
An over-50 jobseeker can also benefit from the help of a career
coach. A
coach can help identify and resolve employment concerns, as well as,
personal and life issues that may be hindering personal development.
Filling a much-needed gap, career coaching is becoming a crucial
tool for those seeking to career transition and advance — even at the
youthful age of 50 or more.
Take the time to notice red flags in your resume, concentrate on your
appearance and language skills, and surround yourself with positive,
resourceful professionals.
I’m a firm believer that successful people are backed by a team.
It’s
your choice whether to play the game alone, or arm yourself with skilled
players.
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