Finding a new job or making a career change is new to a lot of displaced workers and it remains a challenging proposition for anyone, but especially for an older worker who may have been with the same employer for many years.
When we start our job search, many of us dusted off our resumes and signed up with several job boards, such as career builder or indeed.com to try to find more job leads. We are in a very competitive job search and the longer we are unemployed, the more unemployable we become. Older workers and those nearing retirement age need to do everything possible to become more competitive and make sure that their resume is not lost in the shuffle. So the question is "How do I become more competitive?"
The following tips can help you connect better with prospective employers, recruiters and other hiring organizations.
1. Update your resume. Look at some examples of current resume templates and use a newer version that matches what employers are used to looking at. Make sure your resume is accurate and list your achievements and not just job descriptions. Prospective employers are interested in what you have done and how you can help them solve their problems, not your job description. Post your resume on as many job boards as you can to get the most exposure.
2. When you join a job board, make sure you have a complete profile listed. Fill out all the fields like specialties, schools, work experience and interests. Recruiters and HR representatives use these fields to narrow their search. If your profile is not complete, you might not even make it past the initial review.
3. Be open to relocation. While most of us want stay close to home, the fact is that a lot of opportunities may require relocation. If you are not in the local area, you can count on this question may come up during an interview. When it does, you must answer it immediately and without hesitation.
4. Practice making phone interviews and in-person interviews with friends and family members. Have them be critical in their evaluation of your performance. If you don't have someone at home who will help you, find a volunteer job placement agency to help you. It is important that you know what your strengths and weaknesses are before you go to a real interview.
5. Tell everyone you know and meet that you're looking for a job. Networking is probably the best way to get new and fresh job leads. Develop a short 30-second to one-minute speech about what kind of a job you're looking for and how you can deliver results. Be ready to sell yourself at a moments notice.
6. When you do get to the interview. Whether it is on the phone or in person, make sure you are mentally prepared. Do some research and get as much information as you can about the prospective employer. Remember, the hiring process is a two way street. You have to be just as satisfied with your new job as your employer is with you having the job.
7. Before the interview, write a list of questions you want to ask about the prospective employer. Dress appropriately for the position you're interested in and then ensure that you look this way all the time until you're hired. You never know who you might meet standing in line somewhere, and you want them to have a positive recollection of you.
8. While you are waiting for the interview, consider updating your skills, certifications or education. Become a mentor or volunteer some time at a job placement agency. Add anything you do to improve yourself to your resume. It is important that you show any prospective employer that you are energetic, and staying current in your chosen profession.
Finding a new job is not easy. But if you want to be considered for more opportunities, you have to do everything you can to increase your competitive edge and prepare for the interviews that come your way.
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