Guide To Getting a Job When You Are Over 50

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with Peggy McKee

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Presentation – Guide to Getting a Job When You’re Over 50

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If you’re over 50 and in the job search, you may be encountering a few challenges.

I’m going to show you how to make the most of the advantages you do have, and how to knock down the obstacles in 3 places – in your:

1. Presentation in the Job Search

2. Specific Job Search Strategies

3. Job Interviews

Presentation in the Job Search

• As an older worker, you do have a stereotype to deal with.

• The perception is that older workers – Can’t Take Orders from Younger Bosses Don’t Do Technology Resist Change Lack Energy Have Health Problems Cost Too Much

Let’s hit these one at a time.

They can’t take orders from a younger boss.

• It can be hard to take direction from someone young enough to be your child.

• If you can believe –– That the person in that position is

there for a reason.– That it is going to be possible to learn

something from them.

Then you are in a much better mental place for this job search.

They don’t do technology.

• Make absolutely sure that you are up to speed on whatever the latest technology or software is within your field.

This is important for everyone, but it’s even more critical for older workers

because of this perception.

They resist change.

• If you’re keeping up with the latest technology, this is going to be less of a problem for you.

• Make sure you’re on LinkedIn and Facebook and that you know what you’re doing with them.

• Be active and join groups.

Your actions will speak louder than your words here.

They lack energy.

• The best way to fight this misconception is to constantly be learning.

• Talk about –– The Latest Book You Read– The Class You Took– What You’ve Done to Maintain Your

Skills– Hobbies

Anything that projects an image of energy.

They have health problems.

• The hobbies I just talked about will help you here, too.

• If you’re active and energetic, you won’t have so many health problems to begin with.

If you do have health problems, don’t talk about them.

They cost too much.

• You could run across employers who assume you won’t work for what they’re paying.

To make it easier to get a job, your whole attitude needs to be –

“I want to work and contribute. The money is a secondary consideration.”

• Their position doesn’t pay as much as what you’ve earned before.

The other presentation tips I have for you are the same as what I’d tell anyone else:

Take care of your physical self.Get a fresh, updated haircut.Get a stylish interview outfit. Shine your shoes. Project confidence in your body

language.And smile.

Remember…

• The job search is a sales process, so what do you have to offer as a product? You -– Have Experience You Can Draw on to

Solve Problems– Have knowledge– Are a Resource– Don’t Have to be Trained– Can produce from Day One

Those are all huge pluses for you as a candidate.

Specific Job Search Strategies

Use Your Network

• The biggest advantage you have as an Over 50 candidate is an enormous network.

• Tap that resource by calling, emailing, or messaging as many people as you can –– Let them know you’re in the job search.– Tell them what you’re looking for.– Ask if they know of anyone or have

heard of anything.

And offer your assistance to them.

Grow Your Network

• Everybody should be on LinkedIn.

• Don’t just set up a profile -– Join Groups

– Participate in Discussions

As your name gets to be known, you’ll likely pick

up new contacts.

Talk about it on Facebook, too.

• The possibilities there are practically endless.

• Your friends have friends, and they have friends…you just never know where that ends.

• It’s very likely that someone knows someone who knows someone you need to talk to.

Edit Your Resume

• How to edit down everything you’ve done into a summary of your experience -– It must be less than 2 pages.– Leave only the best, most impressive

stats.– Edit it for each job you apply for.– Don’t put the dates of your education

on your resume.– Only go back 15-20 years of your

experience.

Interviewing Tips

• The first one: You might not have interviewed in a while.

• The only cure for that is to practice -– Role play an interview with someone:• Career Coach• Someone Younger Than You

The practice of answering those questions and the chance to refine your

answers will be worth it.

The second obstacle…

• Will be when you have to interview with someone younger than you.

• If you find yourself in that situation, it’s up to you to make that situation more comfortable -– Smile at them.

– Talk about things that show you have energy.

Try to project the attitude of:

“I haven’t done this job before”

Or

“I haven’t worked for this company before, so I’m sure that there’s a lot I could learn from you and I am excited to be

learning it.”

And then draw on your experience to answer those interview questions.

If they tell you you’re overqualified, come back with…

“I do have a lot of experience… you’re going to have someone who’s done this before, who understands what it takes to be

successful and can do that again for you.”

Or

“The truth is that I am overqualified for this job. But the reasons I want it are X, Y, and Z.”

Make them feel better about hiring you. Give them a reason to hire you.

If you’re over 50…

• You have a lot of advantages that younger candidates don’t have, like:Experience

Knowledge

Judgment

Fewer Childcare Issues

More Flexible Schedule

Stay Positive

Concentrate on communicating why you’re a solution for their problem.

Present yourself with energy and enthusiasm.

Use the resources you have available to you.

Interview with confidence.

You have a lot to offer.

Best of Luck!

Q & A with Peggy McKee(LIVE)

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