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Are you a Baby Boomer? Tips for staying ahead in a job search
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Finding a new career or even a temporary position in today's workplace can be an exhausting routine of sending resumes and making follow up phone calls. If your generation is closer to that of a baby boomer, you may have a distinct advantage over the Gen X and Gen Y job seekers. The following is a good starting list of how to tackle the woes of a job market we now find ourselves facing daily in South Florida.
Experience is valuable- Changing your mindset is a good place to begin. Try describing your workplace skills as seasoned or experienced rather then old or on the way to retirement. Most baby boomers are well rounded in the areas of sports, national news and current events. Use the ability to relate with real life experience as a plus. During an interview, take advantage to discuss areas such as strong job tenure. You are no longer a novice, years of valuable skills are a major plus for hiring managers and wisdom and common sense are attributes sometimes not found in the "fresh out of school" candidates.
Your Resume Speaks Volumes- Try condensing your resume to no more then the past 15 years. Too much emphasis on dates and career history can be overwhelming for a hiring manager. Try to avoid being redundant and boring with verbiage that could give away your age. The resume should provide enough skills to tempt the hiring manager to call you in for an interview. Don't give too much information about yourself. Focus on the job you are applying for and leave off unnecessary position or job titles you held for a short period of time in your career. Do not give an employer a reason to screen you out.
Working the Interview- Dressing for success is an attribute baby boomers seldom disappoint in. No one needs to remind you to look your best and be prepared with resume in hand and how to dress for success. Articulate the positives and take advantage of your lengthy work history during the face to face meeting. Turn your age into an advantage by stressing your can-do attitude, attention to detail and commitment to the task at hand.
The little things that count- You would be surprised how many candidates fail to follow up with a thank you after the initial interview. At the end of the interview, be sure to ask for a business card and send an e-mail or better yet a hand written thank you note. It shows you have strong follow up skills and makes a lasting impression.
A Fresh Set of Eyes- It never hurts to contact staffing agencies for an extra set of eyes to review your resume. Make contact with a local recruiter and obtain a second opinion. Recruiters are good middle men and will utilize your stable work history to impress their clients who are being charged a fee. Agencies often receive last minute job orders and being a reliable candidate can help land you more assignments. Even with a tough job market, many organizations still use agencies and want immediate experience to fill an immediate need.
Senior Centers and Workforce- Don't rule out senior community centers or Florida's Workforce One programs. The state of Florida has a senior citizen division within the unemployment offices that provide free skill training on computer programs such as Microsoft Word and Internet skills. In addition, Workforce One is utilized as a free recruiting source for companies where laborers are needed. Also check with AARP for employment opportunities.
