Advice for Older Jobseekers
The John Murray Show on RTE 1 recently ran a feature on older jobseekers (Find the podcast here). The item generated such interest that they did a follow-up six weeks later to see how one of the callers got on. The texters into the shows reflected the experience of the three women featured – a litany of poor treatment ranging from silence to rudeness from both employers and recruitment agencies.We will start by saying that under the Employment Equality Acts 1998 and 2004 discrimination on the grounds of age is against the law. It is unlawful to discriminate against older people in any area of recruitment including the advertising of posts, interviewing and selection.There are definitely things you can do to improve your chances. These practical tips for older jobseekers might help.
Airbrush your CV
- Replace your chronological CV which highlights your years of experience with a functional layout where you focus on your skills rather than your roles
- Rather than trying to tell an employer about everything you ever did, pick out the relevant roles
- Focus on the skills that you have gained
Don’t think in years of experience
Think beyond your experience and answer these questions for every role that you have had:
- What did I achieve?
- What difference did I make to the organisation?
Use this information to make an interesting proposition for each employer.
Network
Most jobs aren’t filled through ads but through networking. Jobseekers aged 50 or older will have a couple of good networks in the form of clubs, interest groups or even other parents.
- Make sure all your networks know that you are looking for a job and are clear about what your skills are
- Reach out into new networks through volunteering and attending business networking events
This shows you are familiar with the current trends in professional social media. Google+ is less used but it would also make a positive impression on a potential employer.
- Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date, complete with a good, professionally taken photo (no grainy holiday snaps please!)
- Spend time coming up with a good, snappy summary
- Avoid clichés – ‘good all-rounder’ – ‘can work on own or part of a team’ – ‘a people person’. Yawn! Recruiters want to read something that makes you stand out
- If there is a motto you have or an approach you take to life, put it in here, likewise an unusual skill or achievement
There was a happy ending to the story of one of the John Murray Show guests. Rosemary Horan got a call from a recruiter and now has a job. Keep heart and good luck.For opportunities at any age, register with Celtic Careers here.