Insider Gives Top Resume Tips For Older Job Applicants

by Sheila Callaham at forbes.com

"Yes, ageism is real," said Ron Visconti in a recent career guidance webinar geared at applicants aged 50 and older. Visconti, the founder and executive director of Phase2Careers, a nonprofit organization assisting workers over age 40, knows a thing or two about ageism in the workplace. He has worked with small and large organizations, both public and private, on recruitment and career transition issues. 

    When it comes to the resume, Visconti says job seekers must understand the negative perceptions and bias directed at older workers. 
 

In a survey by the career counseling site CAREEREALISM, of the 55% of professionals that identified as “seasoned workers” or “mid-life career changers,” 87% responded that they think age discrimination is hurting their job search.

    Certain industries are especially tough for seasoned workers. In the technology sector, for instance, baby boomers and Gen X-ers are both at higher risk for age discrimination. A survey by Dice Insights found that 68% of boomers in tech say they’ve been discouraged from applying for a position because of their age.
 

A client told me she had been furloughed and would like to change her career from business development back to sales, an occupation she had 10 years ago. She really enjoyed the sales aspect of business development and would like to make that her focus.

    She wants to make her LinkedIn profile stronger in preparing for her career change. To use my client’s current profile as is will be a tough sell. Therefore, I tell her she’ll have to develop a revised message, a story explaining the direction her career is taking.
 

Many of you will need to identify transferable skills and then leverage them to move to a new industry. COVID-19 has wreaked its havoc on industries differently. If you work in one of the industries most affected can you wait until it recovers or do you move to a new industry?

    Changing industries particularly later in your career is very difficult. 
 

How To Tap Into The Hidden Job Market

5 Things You Should Always Negotiate in a Job Offer

5 Tips for Working With an Outplacement Service
 

Depending on which study or survey where you look, you will see averages in the 80-90 percent range. That’s how many successful job searches can be traced back to networking.

    You might think that, as an older job seeker, networking should be easy because of the many contacts that you’ve made over the years. And you would be – partially – right. Right in that your pool of contacts is relatively larger than your younger counterparts. But you would be wrong if you think that, the number of contacts alone, will make networking any easier.

    Networking is something that never stops. Even when you’re employed and you don’t need “contacts” to help you secure another position, you should still be networking – if, for no other reason than it will help you be more successful in your job.

    As a job seeker, however, you must keep your network fresh. Whenever it’s appropriate, circle back to reach out a second, or third time to contacts you know. This is especially true if you haven’t spoken with someone in two or three months. There is no telling what has changed in their worlds as well as yours.

    In addition, keep in mind that networking can be a two-way street. Despite the fact that you’re reaching out to them to help you find a new position, keep in mind that you yourself probably have a substantial network of contacts. Any of those contacts could be beneficial to your contacts. Invite them to peruse your network for individuals who may benefit them. Offer to introduce them to your contacts when it’s appropriate.

    That’s what’s know as proactive networking or reciprocation. You may be able to provide them with access to someone who can help them just as likely as they can with you.

    Job seeking is a lot of work and networking is part of that job. You can make it pay if you keep your network fresh and stay proactive.