Emphasise your experience
Mature/older job seekers have so much experience they can draw on. As they are likely to have been previously employed, they have decades of work experience. This work history is something younger workers simply do not have. Always highlight your experience in your job materials and interviews.
Your experience and years in the workforce give you critical life skills, talents and abilities that younger workers don’t have. Emphasising these strengths can set you apart. These strengths include (but certainly aren’t limited to) your problem-solving skills, work ethic, good judgment and leadership. Come up with concrete examples of times you’ve displayed these skills to help prove that your experience is an asset.
On the other hand, be smart about how you describe your experience – you don’t need to name and highlight positions you held decades ago especially in your CV and covering letters as it is the skills and achievements that employers are mostly interested in as opposed to what you did a long time ago. This is covered in more detail under CV/resume and Covering Letter
Highlight and understand your skills
Make a list of all of the skills you have developed, both in the workplace and outside of work. Then, look at the job listings in the fields you want. Circle any skills on your own list that fit the requirements of the job. Pay particular attention to the transferable skills that you have (such as communication or managerial skills) which will be useful in almost any job. Refer Look for Transferable skills for a list of transferable skills.
Think about the skills and qualities you have as a result of your years of experience. Whether or not you have been in the workforce recently, you will have qualities gained from experience that employers will want. For example, studies have shown that employees over 50 are particularly reliable, detail-oriented, and patient. They also have strong leadership skills.
When an opportunity does arise, emphasise your experience and skills in a way that shows how you can add value to the organisation. Some employers do not employ older job seekers because of the fear that they may be unwilling to discard old viewpoints and learn new things. Make sure you reflect your adaptability and also your willingness to undertake retraining courses
Market your key qualities
While mature workers may have some skills that are specific to one job, they are also likely to have lots of skills and attributes that are valuable in a variety of other workplaces.
A key step when looking for work is to create a marketable identity – a personal brand that makes you stand out from the crowd, which you can use to sell yourself to potential employers.
Your marketable identity is about the total package that you have to offer. This includes items such as your skills, knowledge and positive attitude. For mature workers it could also include things like your willingness to share your expertise, or to mentor younger workers in an organisation.
Focus on your strengths in the job search. With age comes wisdom, perspective, maturity, experience (both work and life). Market yourself around these important qualities. Keep your skills updated and seek training if you are a little rusty, or if you are interested in adding new tools to your toolbox. Your age isn't within your control, but your actions and attitude are.
Take some time to work out and evaluate what your marketable identity might look like, and think about how it could apply to areas of work that you’re interested in.
Embrace your age and diversity
Don’t mention your age but don't be defensive about it either if you are asked. Direct the focus to the position at hand and act positively and enthusiastically
Don't forget that age has advantages too. Older workers are known for being more loyal and stable as well as bringing the wisdom and good judgment that come with experience. Use yours to ensure you become a real asset to an employer.
Tackle the “overqualified” label head on
A risk that employers can perceive when considering older workers is the risk that the job being advertised is beneath the skills of an experienced applicant vying for the position. They don’t want to employ someone and invest in training and integrating that person into the company only to have that person get bored with the role and quickly resign.
Help put your potential employer at ease by letting them know you are really interested in that role and why you are. Some potential phrases you can use are ones like “At this point in my career, I want to apply my skills to a new position or field” or “I’m more interested in flexibility and work-life balance but would consider taking on more responsibility in the future, should it be offered.”
Your goal is to come across as a team player and someone who wants exactly what that job is offering. By doing so, you look far less risky to your future employer and far more likely to fit into the company’s culture.
Be flexible and realistic
Come to terms with the fact that it may be necessary to lower your salary expectations to get a foot in the door. Also, be prepared to be flexible about your terms of employment such as work hours and conditions.
Whilst you may have done something really well for years does not mean there is no other way of doing it! Try to be open to new ideas and to doing things differently and welcoming opportunities to learn new skills.
Mature workers who can be flexible and open to negotiation may have a better chance of finding work. A survey of over 500 employers revealed that the biggest mistakes that mature workers made in an interview situation were listed as:
If you can, it pays to be flexible about the type of work you are willing to do, the hours you are willing to work, and the salary or remuneration that you are willing to accept. If you are open to negotiation on these points you are much more likely to be able to make the most of the opportunities available.
Don’t be afraid of change…. carrying on from the above point
Often, older, experienced job seekers feel like it’s too late for them to pursue anything new, but that’s patently untrue. In a recent study in the USA, it was found that 82% of people who chose to make a career change after the age of 45 were successful in their transition—and many reported feeling happier in their new positions and earning more as well. So, if you are seriously contemplating a totally new career, do your homework, find out what’s required, undertake some training/courses if you need to, and have confidence in yourself. Go for it as there’s really nothing to lose.
A change of career might just be the opportunity that you need to achieve greater self-fulfillment, so think laterally about the kind of work you are looking for.
Consider training or retraining
Education as a way of updating employment skills is a lifelong process. However, research suggests that older people who find themselves out of work tend to prefer the idea of immediate employment over retraining, even if that employment will result in lower pay than they may be used to.
Whether or not to retrain is a personal choice – it can be time-consuming but doesn’t have to be costly as there are many courses that are either free or charge a low fee. However, if you do retrain it can improve your job prospects by signalling to employers that you are motivated and that your skills are up to date. Retraining in an area of skill shortage can also significantly improve your job opportunities.
To be perfectly honest, there’s nothing like retraining to get you on the path to a new career – and training has absolutely no barriers to age. Whether you want to be a ski instructor, a pastry chef, an admin assistant or a mechanic, there should be training options available. This can sometimes be even more rewarding in later life because you've usually chosen to do the training rather than been made to do it.
If you currently have a job and your employer offers you the opportunity to attend a training course, please accept this opportunity as it will likely result in both you enjoying your role and extending your value/worth for your employer
And, as so often with training, the courses you go on will offer some guidance as to where the job opportunities might be. The biggest challenge may simply be trying to decide which course you should do - and that’s why you need to plan carefully.
Consider developing new skills
Think about any skills that will be necessary for the job but that you either lack or have not used in a while. Take some time to develop those skills. For example, if many jobs in your desired field now require some experience with computer coding, consider taking a course. There are many classes online, some free, for various skills, particularly in technology.
Developing your skills and ensuring your suitability for the workplace is essential at every age.
Look for companies or industries where your skills are likely to be valued
Try looking at sectors in which age isn’t viewed as a potential liability, but, rather, as an asset. Think about roles, industries, or particular companies where more senior workers would likely be highly valued. Could you be a fit for one of these?
Examples of this may be jobs in which the clients are older adults (e.g., caregiver, retirement services, healthcare, and so on), or where young people might need the guidance or support of someone with experience and wisdom (e.g., non-profits that serve underprivileged youth and schools). Think about what roles might best fit your skill-set and experience and, at the same time, don’t underestimate the value of your maturity.
Follow your passion
Especially if you are beginning a second career, try to find a job that allows you to fulfil a lifelong passion. Perhaps you have always wanted to work with children – if so, then search for a job in the education sector. Maybe you have always enjoyed gardening – consider a job in a garden centre. Think carefully about what you want to do with this period of your life and, if possible, follow your passion!
Look for transferable skills
If you want to work in a different career field than the one where you have previously worked or retired from, look for opportunities to convey your “transferable skills” – skills that are relevant and applicable to multiple careers and industries. For example, do you have project management skills, sales skills, negotiation skills, writing skills, presentation skills, training skills, leadership skills? Any or all of these skill sets (and more) can be useful in multiple career settings, regardless of which industry you are in.
You will have built up so many transferable skills in your previous work – go back to the website, click onto the full list of transferable skills and note how many you have acquired (you will be pleasantly surprised!)
Network / expand your network
Even though you likely will already have a number of contacts in your career field, you can always make more. You could, for example, consider joining (or rejoining) a professional association in your field. If you are on LinkedIn, revamp your profile. Email some of your friends to let them know about your job search. Networking is an ideal way to make connections that could lead to a job.
While a lot about the workplace has changed in the past decade or two, one thing remains very much the same - the adage that “it’s who you know” still applies. The benefit of being a job seeker over 50 is that you probably have a well-developed professional network. Why not reach out to your network to let them know you’re looking for work, ask for referrals, and be open to making new connections. Also, if you can, take advantage of social media to build your network and accelerate your job search.
Use your social and professional contacts to access new job prospects. Attend relevant events, make new introductions and follow up on them, and do not be too proud or embarrassed to admit to your friends that you are open for job opportunities. They may know the person who has a role in recruiting new staff in an organisation. If you are given a contact within a company that you are interested in working in, send an email to the that person with a one-page CV, explaining how much you admire the company’s work and that you would like any opportunity, however short-term, to work for the company. Suggest that you are available to pop in and have a chat.
Numerous research and surveys around the world indicate that a reasonably high percentage of today's jobs are landed through networking. Go beyond just forwarding your CV/resume and asking others to “look out for you.” Instead, arm your network with specific information that they can share with their connections when opportunities arise that match your interests. The easier you make it for others to advocate for you the more likely you'll have success in securing a new opportunity.
Try to keep abreast of new technologies
Keep abreast of new technologies. Learn as much as you can. Get up to speed on new technologies as soon as they emerge. Let recruiters and HR managers know you’re constantly increasing your proficiency in the latest technologies.
Older workers need not be deterred by IT requirements. If you feel that you could improve your computer skills there are many opportunities and courses available, before and during your time at work.
Research an organisation before submitting your application/CV
When you are researching an organisation before submitting a job application, find out what you can about the company culture. Once you identify employers you find appealing, visit company websites to get a sense of the companies’ workplace cultures and to scan available jobs.
If you get an interview, dress the part. Be true to who you are - dress comfortably and professionally, but don’t wear a suit and tie if employees are in t-shirts and jeans