Since our firm does senior level and above staffing, our clients (believe me or not), do not discriminate due to age because a lot of people in these positions have a good amount of work experience, but it seems that many companies do shy away from hiring older employees. What is the reason for this perceived notion? I do not know because I've always felt that talent is talent. Though, if you, as an older job seeker, feel that you are not getting in the door due to your age, here are some tips for that should assist you upon implementing a successful job hunt.
Dates and Titles of Older Positions Held
If you want to look younger on your resume, don't put that you were a Sales Manager in '77. Instead, change that title to a "Sales Representative" or similar (if you are going for a position other than business development) job and focus on sales you did for the company, thus shying away from and not mentioning the word "management."
Out of all the outlined tips provided below, this is the first and most crucial way to start to conjure up some interest in your resume and what the assets that you can bring to the companies that you are applying to work for.
Male vs. Female Tendencies
A recent study by Rutgers University showed that males who are dominate during an interview are much more likely to get the job than males who cannot control the conversation in any sense and, subsequently are only talked at and who fail to make the interview a "give and take." Conversely, the opposite goes for females. Therefore, equipped with this knowledge, upon getting into the interview, you will be more likely to seal the deal and get the offer you deserve.
Go For Broke - Might As Well Put Your Age on the Table
If you feel that, during the interview, you are "behind," simply state, in a firm voice,
"I understand that I am older and that it puts me a little behind, however I can assure you that I can produce faster and more swiftly than the others going for the job. I've done it before and I can do it again."
Regardless of age, this is what any interviewer wants to hear from any applicant. Also, putting your age in the equation should kill all doubt that you can successfully do the job and that you are worth hiring. Make the interviewer understand that you "understand," then you are on more than on a level playing field.
What Have You Been Doing Since?
If you have not been employed by the last employer stated on your resume for over 3+ months, it's best that you don't have a work history that begins with a specific date for that job and ends with a "- present." Instead, have a consulting job on your resume.
Then, if asked during the interview as to what you have been doing since your last firm and yourself stopped the relationship, you have something to tell them. Make sure that you are doing something work related while technically unemployed or the interest in your resume will deteriorate.
Other Articles of Ken Sundheim
The problem starts day one and the situation is nearly always the same A new sales manager, fresh from the sales pit, takes over a business development team and, instinctively they begin to coach and mentor the sales representatives in the same way that their old sales manager taught them - to become better sales people
(Apr 01, 2012)
Dealing with employment seekers for a living, the majority of people who actively pursue jobs in some form of business, associate the title "Manager" with terms such as "status quo" and "mundane"
On the other hand, some employment seekers actively like the day-to-day predictability that comes with working under quintessential managers
(Mar 26, 2012)
Upon seeing frequent rejection of their resume submissions, many job seekers immediately turn to an expensive career coach to immediately have their resume professionally done thinking someone else can make their employment woes vanish
When it comes to writing a great resume, for the most part resume and cover letter outsourcing is hardly a necessity
(Mar 23, 2012)
Despite the fact that the unemployment rate is exceedingly high and that you may need a job in the interim, if you have any choice at all (nowadays a luxury), there are certain industries to avoid becoming situated with as there is no more money to be made and they are proving to be a waste of time These industries and, subsequently the majority of the firms in the verticals are a dying breed
(Mar 13, 2012)
I am yet to turn 30 (I'm not too old), but when I was growing up, I vividly remember a few commercials for a well-known coffee company that essentially depicted people with messy morning hair and no smile suddenly transition into happy, ambitious, ready-for-work people after they drank a cup of joe Within seconds they were happy
(Mar 11, 2012)
Young and naïve, I had no idea that the same moment I decided to start KAS, I opened a company that produces the most valuable resource an organization could ever have and that I could have as a business owner - people
Product or service aside, a firm lives and dies by its the people
(Mar 11, 2012)
A part of me feels that it is disturbing that, upon writing about my industry, I was nearly inclined to include a section that contains the phrase "What to watch out for when working with recruiters"
It would be quite humorous if a garden hose company had to stress ethical behavior towards those who are filling a pool
(Mar 02, 2012)
Sales managers, to fully reach their potential and have their subordinates' potential reached, they must implement lots of methods Some of these, for many sales / business development managers are very hard and require much focus, a lot learning and even more teaching
(Feb 29, 2012)
Jack Welch, the former CEO of General Electric is known as a modern day inventor of corporate entrepreneurship, effective management and a staunch fighter of bureaucracy Despite the fact that GE was a huge company, Welch ran it as if it were a small, agile firm ready to do battle with any of its competition
(Feb 09, 2012)
When used properly, sales professionals can implement certain persuasion and, eventually negotiation techniques to greatly increase his or her chances of closing any particular sales deal Once these techniques are learned in a sound manner and true expertise is gained, sales can come almost too easily
(Feb 06, 2012)
