Nov
21
2013
40 and beyond: getting a job when you’re middle aged
Guest blog from Reese Jones.
At age 40, shifting to a new career or finding a new job can be really challenging. In fact, you’ll be competing with younger candidates and basically, people half your age. With these in mind, how can you stand out from the crowd and turn your age into your most valuable asset? Here are a couple of tips to help you get employed.
Show your worth
In a 2013 article published on the Daily Telegraph, it revealed that “older workers are more reliable, more productive and have fewer ‘bad days’ in the office.” It’s true that as we age, we become wiser, more patient, and experienced. However, for some hiring managers, they may consider younger candidates since they cost less. But for most employers, they prefer older candidates for their expertise and wisdom. Show your worth by showcasing your experience; this is your prime commodity. Quoting from an article published on How2Become “commitment levels, passion, energy, financial need, intelligence, communication, mental stability etc. are all factors that will influence the suitability and quality of a worker.”
Clarify your career objectives
Usually, hiring managers would give you about 10 minutes to present yourself and career objectives. They want to find out what your plans are for the next 5 years or so, and most importantly; if you’re only in to reap the financial benefits. One example would be “I’m interested in a position where I can improve my leadership abilities through meeting targets, managing finances, and finding solutions to challenges.” Basically, it should always define what you want to achieve through work. The bottom line is: your career objective is your commitment to your employer.
Create a comprehensive portfolio
Creating a comprehensive portfolio can really help showcase your experience. Include the highlights of your career: relevant skills, talents, projects, and how you grew professionally. If you have specific disciplines (journalism, research, art, or teaching) don’t forget to include them too. Also, your portfolio should show graphs, numbers, and bullet points to make it easier for the hiring manager to read it. Always include a one-page summary of your portfolio with your curriculum vitae; it should be interesting enough to catch the eye of your future employer.
Show your passion and eagerness to join the team
Claire Herring, co-founder of DaisyBrains, said “demonstrate a real sense of excitement for the position you are interested in. Maintaining positive energy will help employers quickly connect with you." Experienced and well-qualified candidates can sometime come as less eager, compared to the younger ones. Don’t forget to display an upbeat attitude and show your eagerness to join the company during your interview. This will take you one step closer to landing a job.
Never stop learning and be open to explore new things
Some companies still have the common misconception that older employees are harder to train. Seymour Alder, Senior Vice President at Aon Consulting, shared in a Career-Advice Monster report that “Research shows that a significant percent of people continue to learn, and learn aggressively, well into their 50s and 60s.” It’s an unfortunate bias, but this mindset can be easily overcome. By showing them that you’re committed to lifelong learning and open to new experiences, then, they might consider you. Don’t be afraid to take risks and try out new techniques that can help you. Old practices may still be effective but make sure that they’re still relevant. Also, utilise social media and show them that even at your age, you’re still current. As the work place changes, so does the practices and methods.
Always be confident and show them what you can offer. Leverage on your experience and always be flexible. Remember that knowledge is power, so, keep on studying and learning. Never act as if you know everything; it’s time to learn from someone younger. Let your maturity and wisdom guide you, as you enter a new phase in your career.
About the contributor:
Reese Jones is a tech ed blogger and life slash career-coach advocate. Recently, she’s been helping job seekers find their career paths. Reese also keeps up with the latest job, mobile trends and she also frequently writes on Techiedoodlers.com. See more of her advice @r_am_jones.
