Older Workers-New Technology: YES THEY CAN

NEW Survey Debunks OLD Stereotype

For years, a stereotype has been fostered by the media, and now social media, that older people are just not that savvy when it comes to new technology. 

This false perception contributes to age discrimination that affects the older job seeker.

Two companies,  DROPBOX and Ipsos Mori, have surveyed more than 4,000 information workers in the U.S. and Europe about their use of technology in the workplace. 

The survey has revealed that workers aged 55+ are actually less stressed using technology in the workplace than their younger peers. The results also showed that older workers are actually BETTER at using multiple devices than their younger peers - only 13% of respondents aged 55+  reported having trouble working with multiple devices compared to 37% of 18-to-34-year olds.

If you are an older job seeker, don't PERPETUATE the stereotype of the obsolete older worker. Be sure to keep your skills AND resume up-to-date. Create your killer resume HERE.

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Are You Dressing The Part As An Older Job Seeker? Revamp Your Job Search Strategies

Revamp Your Job Search Strategies and Get a Job

Finding a job is tough these days. But it's even tougher if you're over fifty. Here are some proactive steps you can take to boost your chances for a successful job hunt.


Don't waste much time looking in the newspaper for a job. Today's job listings, resume sharing and application forms are online. So if you're not internet savvy and computer literate, it's time to learn. Public libraries, continuing education programs and community colleges are all likely places to find computer literacy courses. Or get your children or grandchildren to show you how.

If you're already computer literate, review and refresh your computer skills. If need be, take courses in the latest software programs used in your particular industry.

Even if you don't Twitter, and haven't joined Facebook and Linkedin, you should know what they are. Better yet, join Linkedin and post your profile.Then add the link to your revamped resume.

Create a website, or pay someone to build one for you, and post your resume and samples of your work there, particularly if you are in a creative field.

Networking is the Real Answer

The largest employment market is not advertised, counsels Bill Belknap, an expert on networking and a Certified Master Career Coach at The Five O’clock Club, a nationwide career coaching and outplacement service. "If you only focus on internet job leads, you'll be missing the biggest segment of the job market," said Belknap in a telephone interview conducted on March 9,2009. Particularly in a tough economy, companies first attempt to fill positions through their network, via employee referrals, because it saves them money, he added.

Review and Revamp Your Resume

Rework your resume to be sure you are using language that's current with today's market, for example, human resources or hiring manager, not personnel department.

Never try to hide your age by leaving dates or jobs off your resume. And never lie about your age, though anyone who asks directly for your age is breaking the law. "There’s no logic in trying to conceal your age," said Belknap. "In fact, it’s naive to think you can fool the hiring manager. Full disclosure will be required when you get to fill out the job application, so why put yourself at risk? "

Show Off Your Energy

The best way to show your energy is to be enthusiastic, said Belknap. Again, take a proactive approach during conversations to advertise your good health, fitness, stamina and high energy level. If you bike, run, dance, lead hikes, swim six miles a week, run marathons, or enjoy walking vacations, say so if and when the opportunity arises.

Dress the Part

Since your age is fairly obvious just from the length of your career as shown on your resume, does it really matter if you color your hair and buy stylish, up-to-the-minute shoes and clothing for an interview?

"You do need to look the part and wear current style, clothing," advised Belknap. But more importantly he recommends that you "find out how the hiring manager dresses and dress one notch above that." For example, if the hiring manager wears causal pants and a dress shirt, show up for the interview in khakis and a dress shirt and maybe a jacket.

The old adage "when in Rome" is still the best rule, explained Belknap. "Do your research on your target company. Understand who it is you would be working for. Sometimes looking at the company web site can give you an idea of the dress code. But if not, call and ask at the switchboard. 'I have an interview how do most people dress?' Or visit the company or find a relative or friend -of- a -friend who works there and ask about the dress code."

Revamp your resume and review and renew your computer skills if need be. If you're not computer and internet savvy, start taking courses. And network to open doors to a potential new job.

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Do You Know The 7 Mistakes Job Seekers Over 50 Make?

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A good portion of the e-mail I receive is from readers over age 50 who are looking for work after a layoff. Many tell me they found their last job more than a decade ago, in the classifieds of their local newspaper. Many more say they're daunted -- understandably so -- by the foul job market, the prospect of ageism and the likelihood of being interviewed by someone half their age

All of them worry about the generalizations some short-sighted employers make about older workers. Either they see you as overqualified and overpriced, or they believe you're inflexible and technologically challenged. Perhaps they suspect you're just biding your time and taking up space until retirement rolls around.

We've all heard countless career experts (yours truly included) offer the same old job hunting solutions for workers over 50:

But platitudes will only get you so far. So let's talk about the top mistakes that hopeful hires over age 50 make and how to avoid them.

Telling Yourself That No One Hires Older Workers

I hear a lot of 50- and 60-somethings make this complaint. Yes, older candidates have to work harder to overcome discrimination, and no, it's not fair. But that doesn't mean every employer is hell-bent on shutting out all candidates over 35.

Example: The site RetirementJobs.com lists more than 30,000 full-time and part-time jobs nationwide with "age-friendly employers." Other job sites that cater to older workers: Jobs 4.0, Retired Brains, Seniors4Hire and Workforce50.com. In addition, AARP offers this list of the best employers for workers over 50.

So, please, don't tell me no one's hiring older workers.


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Putting an Expiration Date on Contacts

You've been on this crazy hamster wheel we call "work" for at least three decades now, so you might as well milk the vast contact list you've amassed for all its worth. It's perfectly acceptable to reach out to former employers, co-workers, vendors, classmates and other colleagues you haven't corresponded with in a decade or two. (Searching sites like LinkedIn and Facebook make finding them a snap.) Not only will your peers understand, more of them are likely reaching out to their long-lost contacts, too.

Get Your Free: 49 Benefits To Hiring An Older Skilled Worker.

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How to Deal With Stress During Unemployment and a Job Search

FREE GUIDE TO GETTING A JOB OVER 50  CLICK HERE

It’s normal to feel hurt, vulnerable, or angry after losing a job. The good news is that despite the stress of job loss and unemployment, there are many things you can do to take control of the situation and maintain your spirits.


You can get through this tough time by taking care of yourself, reaching out to others, and focusing on your goals. Losing your job can also be an opportunity to take stock of your life, rethink your career goals, and rediscover what truly makes you happy

Losing a job is stressful

Our jobs are much more than just the way we make a living. They influence how we see ourselves, as well as the way others see us. Our jobs give us structure, purpose, and meaning. That’s why job loss and unemployment is one of the most stressful things you can experience.

Beyond the loss of income, losing a job also comes with other major losses, some of which may be even more difficult to face:

• Loss of Professional identity
• Loss of self-esteem and self-confidence
• Loss of your daily routine
• Loss of purposeful activity
• Loss of your work-based social network
• Loss of your sense of security

Grief is normal after losing a job

Grief is a natural response to loss, and that includes the loss of a job. Losing your job takes forces you to make rapid changes. You may feel angry, hurt, panicked, rejected, and scared. What you need to know is that these emotions are normal. You have every right to be upset, so accept your feelings and go easy on yourself.

Also remember that many, if not most, successful people have experienced major failures in their careers. But they’ve turned those failures around by picking themselves up, learning from the experience, and trying again. When bad things happen to you— or going through unemployment—you can grow stronger and more resilient in the process of overcoming them.

Coping with job loss and unemployment stress tip: Face your feelings

Fear, depression, and anxiety will make it harder to get back on the job market, so it’s important to actively deal with your feelings and find healthy ways to grieve. Acknowledging your feelings and challenging your negative thoughts will help you deal with the loss and move on.

Surviving the emotional roller coaster of unemployment and job loss

• Write about your feelings. Express everything you feel about being laid off or unemployed, including things you wish you had said (or hadn’t said) to your former boss. This is especially cathartic if your layoff or termination was handled in an insensitive way.

• Accept reality. While it’s important to acknowledge how difficult job loss and unemployment can be, it’s equally important to avoid wallowing. Rather than dwelling on your job loss—how unfair it is; how poorly it was handled; things you could have done to prevent it; how much better life would be if it hadn’t happened—try to accept the situation. The sooner you do, the sooner you can get on with the next phase in your life.


• Don’t beat yourself up. It’s easy to start criticizing or blaming yourself when you’ve lost your job and are unemployed. But it’s important to avoid putting yourself down. You’ll need your self-confidence intact as you’re looking for a new job. Challenge every negative thought that goes through your head. If you start to think, “I’m a loser,” write down evidence to the contrary - “I lost my job because of the recession, not because I was bad at my job.”

• Look for the silver lining. Losing a job is easier to accept if you can find the lesson in your loss. What can you learn from the experience? Maybe your job loss and unemployment has given you a chance to reflect on what you want out of life and rethink your career priorities. Maybe it’s made you stronger. If you look, you’re sure to find something of value.

Beware of Pitfalls

• Taking refuge in your “cave” may provide temporary comfort, but is little help if your time spent there is not constructive. Surrounding yourself with positive, supportive family and friends may better help your self-esteem.

• Venting your anger and frustrations may only make you feel worse if you find yourself in the middle of a “pity party.” There are people who actually enjoy misery and the misfortune of others.

• Drinking is at best a temporary relief, and for some people, can lead to a crippling addiction.

Source: Surviving Tough Times (PDF), The University of Georgia

Top 10 Tips for Older Job Hunters

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Thanks to their seniority, folks 55 and older were once less likely than their younger co-workers to be laid off during a recession. Not this time around. Steep manufacturing cuts have hit older workers particularly hard. And even in workplaces where seniority still provides protection, older men have less of it than they used to; only 44% of male workers aged 58 to 62 work for the same employer they were with at age 50, down from 70% 25 years ago.


Here are some tips for older layoff victims.

No. 1: Keep Your Health Insurance

If you have employer-provided health insurance, use "COBRA"--a federal provision that lets you continue in your ex-employer's plan, but without an employer subsidy. It was always essential to stay insured, and now it's affordable too. Under the stimulus package passed in February, the feds will pick up 65% of your COBRA premium for nine months. Warning: If your adjusted gross income is more than $250,000 for a couple or $125,000 for an individual, you'll have to pay some or all of the federal subsidy back when you file your tax return.



No. 2: Consider Americorps

If you don't need too much income and would like to do work such as tutoring, consider Americorps. A law President Obama signed in April slowly increases the number of federally funded Americorps slots from 75,000 to 250,000 and aims to fill 10% of them with folks 55 and older. The jobs pay minimum wage plus a $4,725 education grant (increasing to $5,350 Oct. 1) for each year worked. Under the new law, this grant can be transferred to children or grandchildren. Another senior-friendly change: Americorps slots used to be full-time jobs lasting a maximum of two years. Now they can be turned into part-time jobs lasting longer.



No. 3: Find Senior-Friendly Employers Online

At www.retirementjobs.com, you'll find 20,000 listings from employers that say they're open to applications from older workers. AARP, the 40-million member organization for folks 50 and older, lists 41 companies, from AT&T to Walgreens, that have won spots on its "National Employer Team" and links to those employers' job sites at www.aarp.org/money.


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10 Things That Will Help You If You're An Older Job-Seeker

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So you are looking for work but are worried that since you are a more mature employee that you might be discriminated against. Here I have 10 things you can do to help this from happening!


The good news: You have vast experience and many employers would be lucky to have you. The bad news: Due to your age and how you handle everything from writing a resume to what you talk about in an interview, you may encounter age discrimination.


Personally I prefer older workers as they are typically more mature, reliable and have vast experience that the team can draw upon, but many employers see older workers as stuck in their ways, unable to learn new software or hardware and not comfortable working for a younger manager.

1. Find out about culture. Employers know better than to address your age, but there is no reason you can’t ask your own questions about how you might fit in. (This ties in nicely with an office tour). Ask questions such as “I have worked in several organizations with diverse ages in each department – can I ask about diversity in this department/company/division?” If the manager is in fact several years younger than you are, you could address it by saying “I just interviewed with another company and we discussed how I might feel working for a younger boss and wanted to share with you that this is absolutely no problem…I did in fact report to a younger manager once and he too was concerned…(then proceed to tell him or her specific examples of projects you worked on where you had more experience than the manager and how it worked out well….)


 Also, ask for a tour of the office during your interview. I used to stress to all of my candidates to do this, but in your case it is very important. The reason is that you get a very clear sense of the type of people already employed – are they happy, seem disgruntled or are they all of the same age group or cultural background? Even the way the employees look (or don’t) look at you and smile will give you a hint as to how you would be received in the company culturally. My recommendation is to ask for a “quick office tour” at the end of your first interview. Look for a company with a good track record of diversity. This means exactly that – if a company is well known for hiring all new graduates, then the chances of gaining employment in such a company when you are older than those in the company may prove difficult.

2. If you have been a manager and the position you are interviewing for is not a manager’s position, write your resume in a functional style but leave out titles as much as possible. Better to say Project Management as opposed to V.P. Project Management. The idea is to get the employer to see how you can do the job rather than thinking about how you might not fit in.

3. Talk about the challenge of the position and how there would be things for you to learn in this position. The employer may fear that not only have you “been there done that” and not be open to doing things differently, but they may fear that you may quickly grow bored and leave. This is not to say to lie and say that something is a challenge when it isn’t, but think of a few things that you haven’t done and stress that in fact you would like to take a few years to learn the role and the company. You may even discuss that although you have significant experience in industry A, that having the opportunity to work within industry B would be a challenge because….The key here is learning and if you communicate that you are a “lifelong learner” and you are not afraid to learn new things, processes and ways of doing things, it will help the employer feel more comfortable in hiring you.

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Over 50? Some Resume Advice for You!

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Whenever Rob­ert Skladany conducts work­­shops for job seekers over age 50, he hears one word again and again: résumés.


Among the men and women in these groups – some unemployed, others reentering the workforce – a common concern predominates. "They feel they are not at all familiar with contemporary résumés," says Mr. Skladany, vice president of research at Retirement Jobs.com in Waltham, Mass.
One man told him he had not written a résumé for 25 years. In that time, résumés have indeed undergone a transformation. Paper documents, once read and filed by people, have turned electronic. Often they are screened by an employer's automated applicant-tracking system. These changes call for new approaches on the part of applicants.

"Older workers don't understand the environment they're putting their application into," Skladany says. "They still expect an acknowledgment."

By 2010, 1 of every 3 workers will be over 50 years old. To help them remain competitive in the job market, career counselors emphasize the importance of a polished résumé. Rob­erta Chinsky Matuson, president of Human Resource Solutions in Northampton, Mass., advises over-50 job seekers to consider four questions: Does your résumé look weathered? Has it grown to three or four pages over time? Is your first job after high school graduation still listed? Are you still displaying the date you graduated from college?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, she says, it's time to redo your résumé.

Including graduation dates is the subject of debate among career specialists. "You shouldn't lie," Ms. Matuson says. "I am not advocating hiding your age. I'm saying, why broadcast it? The people who are screening résumés are 25 years old."

Yet others suggest that applicants include graduation dates. "If you're 50-plus, play it up in your résumé," says Chuck Underwood, president of the consulting firm The Generational Imperative in Cincinnati. Still other job counselors call the use of dates "very individual" and say, "Use your good judgment."

Many career specialists advise older applicants to limit a résumé to two pages and to include only the most recent 15 to 20 years of their work history. Earlier jobs can be summarized under a heading such as "Positions held prior to 1990," with a list of companies and titles.

Skladany avoids the word "experience." The emphasis today is on capabilities, qualifications, and achievements, he says, not previous titles, duties, and length of service.

Chronological listings on résumés have given way in some cases to formats that highlight skills. "In a chronological format, your most important or relevant experience might be three jobs back," says Shel Horowitz, a professional résumé writer in Northampton, Mass. "Companies may not get that far in reading."

In an electronic age, Jeff Benrey, CEO of Trovix, an online job site in Mountain View, Calif., underscores the importance of a well-formatted résumé. Many examples and templates are available on the Internet, he says.

He still receives an occasional mailed résumé. "In one sense, it's charming. 'Oh look, somebody went to the post office and mailed this.' On the other hand, it begs the question, 'how computer savvy are you?' You want to make sure applicants are Internet savvy and connected."

Being connected also means having a cellphone and e-mail. "In the absence of a cellphone and an e-mail address, recruiters assume technological ignorance," Skladany says. "If your e-mail address is currently fluffykittens6, don't use it. It should be mundane and professional."

"Show that you are up to date on technology, terminology, and industry happenings," says Julie Rains, a certified professional résumé writer in Winston-Salem, N.C. "Avoid references to out-of-date technology." As an example, she adds, "You might describe your computer knowledge as 'understanding of operating systems and electronic media' rather than 'proficiency with DOS and floppy disks.' "

For women over 50 whose careers have been interrupted by family responsibilities – child-rearing and elder care – Vicki Donlan finds that those experiences, properly described in a résumé and interviews, transfer into the workplace today.

"A woman's résumé must amplify her lifetime of experience – at home, in the community, and at work," says Ms. Donlan, author of "Her Turn: Why It's Time for Women to Lead in America."

She is currently advising a woman of 60 who owned a day-care center with her husband. He died suddenly, and she wants to parlay those skills into a corporate job. On her résumé, simply stating "Ran a day-care center with my husband" doesn't sound like a transferable skill, Donlan says. But bullet points of skills required for that role paint a different picture: "Dealt with state licensing. Helped children transition from preschool into public school. Dealt with different levels of management."

Whatever an over-50 job seeker's résumé does or doesn't include, Matuson puts it in a broader context. "You really have to focus on what your attitude is. Workers looking for new positions can come up with a million reasons why someone isn't going to offer them a job. They'll send out two résumés and not get a response and say, 'See, no one wants to hire me. I'm too old.' It's ridiculous. If you're 20 and send out two résumés, you're more than likely going to get the same result."

One way to counter age-related stereotypes is to accentuate your openness to learning, says Scott Erker, a senior vice president at DDI, human resource consultants in Pittsburgh. Mention courses you've taken and professional certifications you've maintained. "Companies want people who are willing to learn, adapt, and be stable, who aren't looking for the next job before they start this one." He finds that older workers are "not very aggressive" about emphasizing things they've done outside of work – volunteer work, travel, and diverse experiences.

Noting that the biggest obstacle older applicants face is discouragement, Skladany encourages an upbeat attitude.

"Be positive," he says. "You have no alternative but to be proud of your age and qualifications."

ADVICE FOR OLDER JOB APPLICANTS

Last month, Melanie Holmes, a 26-year veteran with Manpower North America, started writing about various workplace topics in a blog called Contemporary Working. She offers the following tips for over-50 job seekers:

• Flexibility is a big plus – emphasize that you can be open to a variety of scheduling, titles, consulting, etc.

• Experience is a given – provide details on your familiarity with processes, equipment, and systems.

• Past titles on your résumé may or may not be useful. Be sure to include a brief explanation of duties and related accomplishments.

• If you've upgraded your skills via a short course or certification, make sure it shows up on your résumé and in the interview.

• If you can work it into your cover letter, talk about loyalty, willingness to learn new things, and your comfort with technology.

• Try to limit your work history to what is relevant to the job for which you are applying. But, beware of leaving employment gaps – these can be a red flag to hiring managers.

By Marilyn Gardner
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0204/p13s01-wmgn.html


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5 Tips on Handling Your Job References Effectively

Top 5 Tips for Handling References Professionally During Your Job Search

By Michelle Dumas -- Do you wonder about how best to leverage and submit your references during your job search? Here are some tips to help you:


1. Never submit your references with the resume. You want to have a face-to-face meeting with the employer, or at the very least, a telephone interview, before providing references. The purpose of the resume, at least at this stage of the job search process, is to generate enough interest to get you called in for an interview. By listing references on your resume, you just give the recipient of your resume another opportunity to screen you out before you have a chance to sell yourself in person. Also, avoid the old and overused phrase "references provided on request." It is taken for granted that you will provide references on request. There is no need to state on your resume that you will do so. Listing this on your resume just takes up valuable space that could be used for more important data.

2. Former or current direct supervisors make excellent references, but clients, your former employees, co-workers, and vendors you have interfaced with often make great references also. If you have people willing to endorse you whose names are recognizable in your industry or profession and who will add credibility to your job search, by all means include them--and do so prominently. But, don't neglect to include references from people at all levels, particularly those in positions that represent the people you would have to interact with on a real-world, day-to-day basis in your next job.

3. As much as possible, you will want to maintain connections with "old" colleagues and other people that you worked with or associated with in past jobs. While the most current references will often hold the most weight, having no references from past employers can look suspect. Recruiters may wonder, for example, if you left your past employer on bad terms or if you had or have trouble establishing strong professional relationships. If you have lost touch with old colleagues, you might try looking for them on LinkedIn or other professional networking sites.

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100 Tips & Tools For Job-Hunters Over 45

Finding a job isn’t easy for anyone these days, but older workers may face some special challenges when it comes to finding new employment. While illegal, ageism isn’t uncommon in hiring and many older job seekers may find that their age and experience can actually work against them when searching for work. 


This doesn’t have to be the case, however, as age can be just as much an asset at youth. Whether you are considering changing fields or researching online college reviews to continue your education, here are some tips and tools to help you make the most of your experience and wisdom and get the kind of job that you deserve.

The Basics:
 These basic tips will help you think of ways to find work, stay positive and use your age to your advantage. 

1. Make sure you’re up-to-date with technology. One of the things that makes employers hesitant to hire older workers is the idea that they won’t be able to use computers or other office technology. Whether you know a lot or a little, make sure you’re on top of whatever the latest trends are and know the tech basics.

2. Be flexible. You may not always be able to find a job that is exactly what your old one was or is just what you’re looking for. Be a little bit more flexible in your requirements and you may find something else that’s just as suitable for you instead.

3. Keep a positive outlook. Looking for a job is never easy, but it doesn’t make it any better if you approach it with a sour attitude. Keep positive and good things are bound to come your way.

4. Fight preconceived ideas. There are a lot of myths out there about older workers. Do your best to go against the expectation and be the best candidate for the job.

5. Take some classes. If you’re not up-to-date or could use a refresher in certain subjects, sign up to take some classes. In some cases, you may even find that just being signed up is enough to get you the job before you’ve even finished.

6. Use technology. Nowadays the web is the first place most people look when trying to find employment. Use all the resources available on the internet to help you get a job as there are many and some catered directly to your needs as an older worker.

7. Give everything your all. Even if you’re unsure about a particular job interview, go in there and give it your best. Even if you don’t even up working for the company it doesn’t hurt to have more options.

8. Don’t lie about your age. Hiding your age implies that you think you’re too old for a particular position and if you think you’re too old that might make your potential employer feel the same way.

9. Accept you may have to take a pay cut. If you’ve been let go from an executive position making a six figure salary, the reality is that you may not be able to find another job paying this well, regardless of your age. Times are tough, so be aware that finding work may mean working for less than you’re used to.

10. Focus on future potential. Employers aren’t always as worried about age as your potential for future success. If you have a great track record and can sell them on what you have to offer to their business, you have just as much of a chance as someone younger at getting a job.

11. Offer to work odd hours. If you’re just looking for a job to make ends meet you may be able to give yourself an edge by working odd hours. This may not be a long term fix, but it can help you find something to give you money to pay the bills.

12. Go without benefits if you already have them. If your spouse already has health care and you have a solid retirement plan already, you may be able to get an edge by forgoing the usual company benefits. This can make you more of a bargain to employers and won’t hurt you if you already have backup benefits.

13. Stay healthy. Searching for a job can be tiring, frustrating and depressing but it’s important to make sure that you focus on your health as well while you’re looking.


14. Be yourself. Being yourself has gotten you pretty far in life already, so stick to it. Act your age, show your experience and just be who you are.

15. Find out about legal action. If you feel that you have been discriminated against unfairly based solely on your age then you do have grounds for legal recourse. Be aware, however that it likely won’t be easy to prove, but if you’ve got a solid case go for it. You shouldn’t have to suffer discrimination more than anyone else.


The Job Hunt

Looking for a job is rarely fun or easy, especially not for those out of work late in their careers. Here are some tips that can help make the process easier or at least a little less painful.

16. Don’t wait to seek out employment. If you’ve been laid off, take a little time to figure out what you want to do but don’t wait forever to start looking. The sooner you start, the sooner you can address problems and start working towards solutions.

17. Find employers that seek out older employees. There are many companies out there that actually seek out seasoned employees. Do a little research to see if there are any that you might be a good fit with. This listing from Wisconsin provides a good example.

18. Consider former employers. If you’ve maintained good relationships with former employers who know you and your work, why not go to them to see if they have any openings? You already have the connections to get your foot in the door so make the most of them.

19. Think about a career change. It’s never too late in life to consider a career change, especially if you’re feeling burnt out on your current career track.

20. Don’t give up. Looking for a job isn’t going to be easy, it never is, but don’t let a few rejections break your will to seek out work.

21. Consider temping. If you want to build experience in a particular field or even find an in to a particular business, temping can be a great solution. You’ll get short term assignments that could lead to longer employment or just some really helpful experience.

22. Use your connections. One thing many older workers have in abundance is connections. Make use of these people in your personal network from friends to other business people to help you find potential jobs.

23. Try joining professional associations. It doesn’t hurt to become part of a professional organization. Many times, these organizations offer job search help to members and you’ll have a built in set of people to network with who are in your field. 24. Expand your target companies. Since you’ve got a lot of younger competition, expand your job search to include more companies than you would have at a younger age so you’ll improve your chances of success.

25. Get help. If you’re floundering on your own, consider the services of a career coach or a recruiter to help you find work.

26. Consider starting your own business. For those who have always dreamed of owning their own business, unemployment can be a motivator to finally pursue those dreams. Look for investors and draw up a business plan and you could be on the road to being your own boss.

27. Explore a wide range of options. You may have your heart set on working in a particular field, but keep your options open. You may find a job that is ideal outside of where you would have looked had you stuck with your original plan.

28. Don’t focus on titles. Even if you were a high ranking manager before, titles are unimportant in a job search for an older worker. Focus on your passion, your drive and your love of the job instead.


Resumes

When was the last time you really updated your resume? If you can’t remember, check out these tips that can help you build a better resume and get hired.

29. Don’t provide your complete work history. If you’ve been working for 20 years, it may not be wise to include every job you’ve ever had. Many resume experts advise only adding the last 10 or so years to your resume.

30. Avoid clichés and tired language. Young or old, this rule holds true. Avoid using common resume phrases that will make you blend into the crowd instead of stand out.

31. Go back to school. Check out low-cost classes and degree programs at www.onlinecolleges.net.

32. Update everything. Go through your resume and make sure everything on there is current. Names of institutions and businesses may have changed and you want them to be appropriate for today, not years ago when you were working for them.

33. Show a commitment to learning. Take graduate classes or emphasize any current training you’ve had to show you want to keep up and learn new things.

34. Emphasize your experience. Experience is not a bad thing. Play up what you know about the field as this is one serious advantage you have over younger workers.

35. Avoid functional resumes. Functional resumes list your skills in clusters rather than in chronological order like a traditional resume. While this format may work well for those who are changing careers or who have gaps in their employment history, it can sometimes seem like a way to avoid indicating your age to employers. Many resume experts advise using a combination of a chronological and functional resume instead.

36. Use current terminology. One quick way to date yourself is by using old business terminology that’s been replaced by newer lingo, so try to learn what the latest terminology is for your field.

37. Look at other resumes for current models. If you want your resume to reflect current trends, try using online resources and free models to figure out how you should be laying things out.

38. De-emphasize dates. While you shouldn’t omit dates altogether, that doesn’t mean you have to flash them around either.

39. Create a great cover letter. No matter what you have on your resume, your cover letter can be a great way to introduce yourself to an employer. Just make sure it isn’t a review of your employment history and offers information your resume doesn’t.

40. Look at it from an employer’s perspective. if you were hiring for the position and received your resume would you hire yourself? Try to create a resume that shows your best assets and makes a great first impression.

41. Keep it short. While you may have an employment history that goes on for several pages, try to limit your resume to just a few pages. No one wants to go through loads of resume pages anyway.


Interviews

There’s no hiding your age in an interview, but these tips can help you score big in the process no matter how old you are.

42. Don’t be unnerved by younger interviewers. You may be interviewed by someone significantly younger than yourself. don’t let this throw you off of your game. Treat this younger individual as you would anyone who is interested in hiring you.
43. Make it clear you can work with younger employees. Age can become an issue in the workplace, especially if you’ll be managed by someone younger and possibly less experienced than yourself. Make it clear in the interview that you have no problem deferring to authority, even if that authority is young.
44. Go the extra mile. If you’re really gunning for a certain position, make sure to do everything you can to make the best impression. In fact, it may not even hurt to ask what would make a person successful in their organization.
45. Make sure they understand you can keep up. Many workplaces today are fast-paced and rely heavily on technology. You need to reassure employers that you can roll with the punches and keep up in this kind of environment.
46. Stress a willingness to learn. Even if you aren’t familiar with every type of technology out there, you may be able to get by with stressing how much you’d like to learn about these new things and how willing you are to keep up.
47. Make sure questions are legal. In any interview it’s important to ensure that everything being asked is actually a valid, legal interview question. Age discrimination is a crime, so if you feel a question is hinting at this find a polite way to answer or move on to the next question.
48. Use your maturity to your advantage. In many cases, age can be a great asset. With it comes experience, wisdom and maturity that can make great assets to any job.
49. Promote your work effort and loyalty. if you’re like many other older workers, you likely spent several years working for one company. Emphasize your loyalty and commitment as a big asset.
50. Make sure you look up-to-date. Appearance, however superficial, can be a big deal in making a good first impression. It may be time to pick out a new suit or get some clothes that are up-to-date so you look fresh and able.
51. Plan ahead. You don’t have to go into your interview blind. Review lists of common interview questions and think about how you would answer ahead of time.
52. Aim to break stereotypes. As an older worker you are probably keenly aware of many of the preconceived ideas held about you. Do your best in the interview to dispel these myths and show that you are a valuable player.
53. Spin it. No one is perfect, but part of success comes from being able to spin even your negative characteristics into something that isn’t so bad after all.
54. Identify your benefits in monetary terms. Businesses, at the heart, are about making money. If you can identify a concrete benefit you offered former employers or ways you can do the same at this employer you’ll have some great bonus points when it comes to hiring.
55. Focus on where you excel. There may be areas of your resume where you are weak, but try to steer the conversation towards areas where you are particularly strong.

Helpful Books

Check these books out at the library or purchase them online for some helpful job search advice.

56. Age Discrimination in the American Workplace: Old at a Young Age, by Raymond F. Gregory: Learn about the role age discrimination plays in the workplace in America and abroad.
57. The Third Age: Six Principles of Growth and Renewal After Forty, by William Sadler: Learn how to make the most of your "third age" in this book that offers career and personal advice.
58. Encore: Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life, by Marc Freedman: If you’re looking for a second career later in life, this book can be a great source of inspiration and advice.
59. Age Power: How the 21st Century Will Be Ruled by the New Old, by Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D: Learn how ideas about aging are changing as health care advances and people are staying younger longer.
60. Age Works: What Corporate America Must Do to Survive the Graying of the Workforce, by Beverly Goldberg: Learn why your role as an older worker could actually be pretty important from this book focused on the aging workforce.
61. Happy About Working to Stay Young: Expanded Careers for Boomers and Seniors, by Jacky Hood: This book focuses on making your career matter later in life and how you can keep working and stay strong in a society focused on youth.
62. The Power Years: A User’s Guide to the Rest of Your Life, by Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D. and Daniel J. Kadlec: Read this book to learn how to make the years after 40 the best and most empowered of your life.
63. Resumes for the 50+ Job Hunter: This book offers a wide range of sample resumes that can be great reference material for older job seekers.
64. What Color Is Your Parachute? 2009: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers by Richard N. Bolles: This book can be a good read for those looking for work or planning to work in another field regardless of age.
65. The Executive Job Search: A Comprehensive Handbook for Seasoned Professionals by Orrin Wood: If you were pretty high up in the ranks in your former job, this book offers you some advice on how to be competitive in the job market, create good resumes and more.

Networking Tools

One stereotype about older workers is that they aren’t tech savvy. Break down that misconception by using technology to further your job search through these networking tools.

66. Ning: This social networking tool lets you create your own customized network, an ideal way to connect with other businesspeople or older workers on the hunt for jobs.
67. LinkedIn: As one of the most popular business networking sites, LinkedIn can offer you a great way to get connected with those in your field.
68. Ryze: Through this network you can create a profile and connect with old friends while making new connections.
69. Xing: With over 7 million members, this site offers a wide range of individuals and opportunities for job hunters.
70. Ecademy: This site allows users to market a business, get in touch with others, and even find jobs.
71. APSense: Give your resume or business new life by creating a profile on this site and getting in touch with others in your field.
72. Networking for Professionals: Create a profile on this site to get in touch with numerous individuals and businesses.
73. Ziggs: With Ziggs you can learn how to create an online image for yourself, connect with other businesses and even find job listings that may interest you.
74. FastPitch: If you’re planning on starting your own business, this site can be a great place to pitch your ideas.
75. Social Networking Goes Professional: For those who don’t know a thing about social networking, this article from the Wall Street Journal provides some background and offers some advice on what to do.

Tutorials, How-Tos and Guides

These sites offer guidance, tips and information on making your job search more successful.

76. Interview Tips for Older Job Seekers: Check out this article to learn some big things to do in an interview or things you should avoid at all costs.
77. Resume Tutorials for All Job Seekers: If your resume is lacking, go through this tutorial to learn how to revamp it.
78. Older Job Seekers Must Disprove Prejudices: Learn how you can fight some of the biggest myths that surround older workers in this article.
79. Job Search Tips for Older Workers: Are you going about looking for a job in the right way? Here you’ll find advice and instruction on job hunting.
80. Older Job Seekers and Job Interviews: Don’t Let Age be a Detriment: Here you can learn how to ace the interview process.
81. Four Survival Tips for Older Job Seekers: Looking for a job can be especially tough on older workers. This article provides some advice on hanging in there.
82. New Tactics for Older Job Seekers: Looking for some fresh ideas on how to be more successful in job hunting? Give this article a read.
83. How to Make Age an Asset When Job Searching: You age doesn’t have to be an obstacle to finding a job. Learn how to make it your biggest asset from this site.
84. Top 10 Things for Older Job Seekers to Keep in Mind: Learn what you should be considering in your job search from this article.
85. Advice for Older Jobseekers Facing Negative Stereotypes: Read this article to learn how to fight ageism.
86. 40 Tips for Job Seekers Over 40: This is a great collection of tips designed to help you prevent making major bungles and get you the job you deserve.
87. Top 3 Job Hunting Tips for Job Seekers Over 40: Check out this article to learn some basic ways you can help yourself in your job search.
88. Jobs For Grown-Ups: This Forbes article provides some great advice for job seekers who are over 40, from resume tweaks to interview advice.

Career Help

If you’re looking for targeted career help, these specialty job search engines can assist you in finding the perfect job for you at any age.

89. AARP Work: Members of the AARP should give their website’s job section a look for advice on finding work and dealing with ageism.
90. 50Plus.com: On this site you’ll advice on life, health, money, travel and of course, work.
91. Experience Works: This community organization is designed to help older workers like yourself get the training they need to be competitive in the workplace.
92. RebootYou: Those looking to start a new career later in life can take advantage of the articles, advice and other resources on this site.
93. RetiredBrains: Whether you’re looking for full-time, part-time or temp work this site can help you find a job.
94. RetiredWorker: For those who are fast approaching retirement age but aren’t ready or willing to spend their days hanging out around the house, this site offers a wealth of job opportunities.
95. Senior Job Bank: Check out this site to find job listings geared towards the Boomer generation.
96. WiserWorker: This site believes that with age comes wisdom in the workplace. On it, you’ll find job search resources as well as listings for career fairs and more.
97. Seniors4Hire: If you’re 50 or older this site is a great resource for employment opportunities.
98. Senior Service America: If you’re an older adult looking to work in your community, this site can help provide you with information and ideas on how to do so.
99. Jobs 4.0: Here you’ll find a great resources for job searchers who are forty and over, with listings in a wide range of fields and geographical locations.
100. Simply Hired 50+: The jobs on this site are geared towards older workers who are nearing retirement age but aren’t ready to retire.
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7 Mistakes Job Seekers Over 50 Make (2)

Doing a History Dump

The No. 1 mistake I see with older candidates is they include too much information in their resume," said Cathy Severson, a career coach who runs the site Retirement Life Matters. "Clear the clutter, old-dated, irrelevant information from your resume."

Instead, tailor your resume to the job you're applying for -- each time. Two to three pages and 15 years of relevant experience is more than enough.

Likewise, be careful that you don't turn an interview into a snooze-inducing laundry list of your top 100 achievements over the past 30 years, said Tom Mann of TR Mann Consulting, a marketing and advertising firm specializing in boomers and older workers.

Experienced workers are so eager to show their skills off that they do a 'history dump,'" he said. "While it's important to share your relevant skills, how you present is equally important. Show that you are also fun. Remember, Gen Y doesn't want to feel like they're working with their mom or dad."

Copping an Attitude

Equally damaging is acting superior to an interviewer who's younger than you or showing up with a chip on your shoulder the size of the national debt.

"It's not a good idea to tell the person how much you can teach them," said Cynthia Metzler, president and CEO of Experience Works, a national nonprofit that provides job training to low-income workers over 55. "But it is a good idea to tell them if you have any experience working or volunteering in a multigenerational workplace."

Winging the Interview

Not practicing for your interviews is another no-no, especially if you haven't been on one since the Reagan administration. If you're not sure how your interview rap is coming across, Metzler suggests enlisting a 20- or 30-something pal or colleague to do a test drive with you:

"If you know you're going to be interviewed by someone who's 25 and you're 65, then find someone who's 25 and have them interview you."

Arthur Koff, the 70-something who runs the job site Retired Brains, suggests taking it one step further:

"Try to get an interview with an employer you are not interested in working for as practice. You don't want to go to your first [important] interview in a long time and make easily correctable mistakes."

Click here to read part 3 of this article

7 Mistakes Job Seekers Over 50 Make (3)

Failing to Embrace Your Inner Geek

As a Gen Xer, I didn't grow up making videos and blogging about my every burp and hiccup. I'm actually one of the biggest Luddites I know. But like many of my tech-challenged peers, I've learned that blogging about my field and using the micro-blog Twitter are simple ways to get noticed by potential employers (how do you think I got this gig?).

As long as you act like yourself and don't show up squeezed into your kids' clothes, no one will accuse of you being a 20-something wannabe. Instead, people will be impressed by your tech skills.

"I have interviewed and hired people close to twice my age," said Asher Adelman, founder and CEO of the job site GreatPlaceJobs. "I would highly recommend that older job seekers take advantage of social media platforms, which happen to be very easy to use, even for technophobes, in order to give the impression that they are in tune with the latest technological advances. This will work wonders for convincing young interviewers that you have the ability to work and relate with younger co-workers and excel in today's rapidly changing workplace."

Ignoring the Overqualified Elephant in the Room

As we all know, when employers see candidates applying for a job below their experience level or tax bracket, their hackles go up. So if you're going for a position with less pay or responsibility than you've been accustomed to, it's your job to explain in your cover letter and the interview why this is.

"It could be because they've had a very stressful career life and now would enjoy having their hands in something that is still part of a team but doesn't involve so many headaches," said Judi Perkins, a recruiter for 22 years who now works as a career coach. "It could be they're willing to take a cut in pay because the almighty dollar just isn't as important to them anymore."

Whatever rationale you give (no longer interested in climbing the ladder, done with working 14-hour days, miss the hands-on tasks you did before joining management), be sure to let potential employers know that you're interested in them, rather than just a job.

If you need more help getting up to speed with today's brave new job hunt, visit your local career center and check out AARP's excellent job hunting advice for older workers.

Whatever you do, don't throw in the towel before you've even tried. Your tattooed, flip-flop wearing counterparts need someone who's been around the block a few times to show them how this work thing's really done.

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This work is the opinion of the columnist and in no way reflects the opinion of ABC News.

Michelle Goodman is a freelance journalist, author and former cubicle dweller. Her books — "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube" and "My So-Called Freelance Life: How to Survive and Thrive as a Creative Professional for Hire" (October 2008) -- offer an irreverent take on the traditional career guide. More tips on career change, flex work and the freelance life can be found on her blog, Anti9to5Guide.com

Read more:http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/Story?id=6751506&page=1

Strategies For Those Over 50:Make Job-Hunting Your Job

Having difficulty finding a job or making a career change? Perhaps your strategy needs some work.

An effective job-search strategy will keep you grounded, less stressed, and ultimately more successful. If your search needs a boost, think as a journalist would—but with yourself as the lead story. Focus on the “Who, What, When, Where, and How.”


Who:
- Target a specific industry and position. Don’t waste time searching or applying for jobs you don’t really want.
- Identify the type of employer you think you’d be interested in—large, small, entrepreneurial, nonprofit?
- Identify “age friendly” employers by visiting the AARP National Employer Team and RetirementJobs.com Web sites.

What:
- Assess yourself. What are you looking for in a job? What are your “must-haves” and your “nice-to-haves”? What are the things that don’t matter to you?
- Look at all options—full time, temporary, part-time, contract, or seasonal work; consider a broad swath of jobs and industries.
- Know your skills and match them to the job you are seeking.
- Consider a job with less responsibility if you’re changing careers.

When:
- If you have recently been laid off, take a couple of weeks if you can to get that experience behind you. Rather than jumping in and trying to get interviews, focus on developing your job-search strategy. If you have to, consider a part-time job to generate needed cash.
- Carve out a specific time to begin and end your job-search efforts each day.
- Spend about 4–6 hours a day on your search, but make sure you add some variety. For example, do industry research for an hour, research employers for an hour, then do some networking and follow-up with contacts.
- Be sure to take time for yourself and your family. A balanced life is as important when you’re looking for a job as when you’re working.

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Job Search Tips from Recruiters

New York - A successful job search is built on three basic components: focus, definition and persistence.


To succeed, you must narrow the search to a specific type of job, define skills and accomplishments that set you apart from the pack, and keep at it until landing the job you want.


"Candidates must distinguish themselves from the mass of similarly qualified people," says Ted Warren, president of Strategic Resources in Bellevue, Wash. "Working with a recruiter, the candidate must identify and quantify accomplishments. It's not enough to say you were vice president of sales and marketing for XYZ Corp.--you've got to tell the prospective employer what you've accomplished, how you accomplished it and what you can do for them. Be prepared to back things up with facts and figures."

The smart candidate works with at least two top recruiters in his field. This won't be a problem, because the best recruiters expect their clients to work with at least one other headhunter. Always be upfront with your recruiters and disclose who is conducting a search on your behalf. If nothing else, this will stoke the competitive fires and work to your advantage. Failure to do so will cast you as less than forthright and is likely to get your résumé kicked to the bottom of the stack.

"Putting all your eggs in one basket is a major no-no," says David Lyman, a partner in Schall, Lyman & Co. in Minneapolis. "No matter how big the search firm, you won't have access to all the relevant companies in your field. At the same time, don't wait until the last minute to establish a relationship with your recruiter. If you land a job through another recruiter, tell us--it's all part of building an ongoing relationship."

Research prospective recruiters the way you'd scope out a prospective employer. Know the recruiter's specialty, and take the time to learn his or her name before e-mailing or dropping your résumé in the mail. Letters addressed "Dear Recruiter" will be read quickly, but are unlikely to be remembered and are almost certain to end up at the bottom of the pile of résumé.

"Do your homework before contacting recruiters," says Bart Heres, general manager at Management Recruiters of Atlanta Windward. "I get a large number of calls from people whose background and skills don't have any relationship to my practice. They probably got my name out of the phone book but didn't check my specialty. I refer such callers to the company's Web site to find a recruiter in their space."

Your cover letter and résumé should be direct and understated--and addressed to a specific recruiter. Don't exaggerate your accomplishments, and always give credit to team members and subordinates at your current or former jobs. Fudging your educational background is the unpardonable sin in any job search and a firing offense at many companies. You can bet that top recruiters will check all claimed degrees and advanced training, because they don't want to waste their time with a fraud.

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5 Tips on Handling Your Job References Effectively (pt. II)

4. Contact each person that you intend to list as a reference and ask for their permission. Never provide someone as a reference unless you have discussed it with them first and briefed them on your current job search. Verify the contact information for each reference and ask for permission to list a telephone number and email address. When relevant, you will want to list the name of your reference, along with their current job title and the company at which they work. While mailing addresses are rarely necessary, you should include at least the city and state (or country, if the reference is an international one). You should also include the preferred telephone number and email address for the reference.

5. Bring a professionally typed and formatted list of references with you to the interview, preferably with a font and formatting style that is consistent with your resume. To really stand out from the competition, you can make your references list a powerful part of your overall marketing presentation by including a brief background of how the person knows you and for how many years, along with a summary of the qualifications and achievements that your reference can speak to. If you worked together on a key project, for example, this would be the place to mention it. Formatting your references in this way transforms a simple listing of references into a references dossier, and will give you true competitive advantage once the selection process begins, as very few (if any) of your competitors will provide references in this memorable and highly professional way.

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Click here to read part 1 of this article
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Nationally certified resume writer and career coach, Michelle Dumas is the director of Distinctive Career Services LLC. Through Distinctive Documents http://www.distinctiveweb.com and her Executive VIP Services http://www.100kcareermarketing.com Michelle has empowered thousands of professionals all across the U.S. and worldwide. Michelle is also the author of Secrets of a Successful Job Search http://www.job-search-secrets.com

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