Welcome and thanks for registering with Seniors@work. We are totally committed to assisting you to find a work opportunity.
We have compiled an info pack with the simple objective of providing you with as much useful and relevant information and advice as we can. Take the time to thoroughly read them to gain the most benefit as you embark on finding a new work opportunity.
We have broken down the info pack into various topics which you can download and read. Alternatively, the full info pack can be downloaded as one document…but it is 15 pages long!
Some of this advice is freely available on the internet including from Careers.NZ – we have sourced and summarised the various pieces of advice for your benefit.
What is motivating you to find a job as a mature job seeker? Money? Boredom? Keeping that brain ticking? Missing the work company? A bit of all of the above??
How much money do you need to earn?
What do you want to spend your time on? What kind of activities would you like to engage in at work?
What kind of work would you find fulfilling?
Are you flexible about the work that you might get?
How much time do you want to spend on the job? Will you be wanting to work part time, full time, on a casual basis, contract or get some project work?
How much responsibility do you want?
How much flexibility do you want?
Would you consider working for yourself?
What kind of retraining are you willing to engage in?
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 jobseekers 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:
Having high salary or compensation demands
Being unrealistic about their own abilities or experience
Being inflexible in working style or working schedules.
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-fulfilment, 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
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 – have a look at the long list below and note how many transferable skills you have acquired (you will be pleasantly surprised!)
Basic Skills:
Use listening skills to understand oral instructions
Learn new procedures
Understand and carry out written instructions
Orally convey information to others
Observe and assess your own and others' performances
Good written communication
Use mathematical processes to solve problems
Speak in public
Demonstrate professionalism
People Skills:
Provide constructive criticism
Receive feedback
Coordinate actions with other people's actions
Negotiate, persuade, and influence people
Motivate others
Handle complaints
Train or teach new skills
Delegate work
Oversee others people’s work
Counsel people
Build strong customer relationships
Collaborate with others
Mentor less experienced colleagues
Resolve conflicts
Develop relationships with suppliers
Demonstrate comfort when dealing with all people
Gain clients' or customers' confidence
Management Skills:
Oversee budgets
Recruit personnel
Review resumes/CV’s
Interview job candidates
Select new staff
Supervise employees
Allocate resources such as equipment, materials, and facilities
Schedule personnel
Preside over meetings
Negotiate contracts
Evaluate employees
Organise committees or working groups
Clerical Skills:
Perform general clerical and administrative support tasks
Design forms, correspondence, and reports
Manage records
Take minutes at meetings
Use word processing software
Use database management software
Use spreadsheet software
Use desktop publishing software
Use presentation software
Perform data entry
Keep track of accounts receivable, accounts payable, billing, and other bookkeeping tasks
Screen telephone calls
Greet visitors
Research and Planning Skills:
Identify and present problems to upper management
Anticipate and prevent problems from occurring or reoccurring
Use critical thinking skills to make decisions or evaluate possible solutions to problems
Solve problems
Deal with unexpected situations
Define organisation's or department's needs
Set goals
Prioritise tasks
Locate and reach out to suppliers or sub-contractors
Analyse information and forecast results
Demonstrate time management skills and meet deadlines
Plan and implement events and activities
Create and implement new policies and procedures
Develop a budget
Coordinate and develop programmes
Document procedures and results
Produce reports
Conduct research using the Internet resources
Generate ideas
Implement new strategies
Computer and Technical Skills:
Use computer software that is related to job
Use job-related equipment and machinery
Install software on computers
Use the Internet, including email and search engines
Use office equipment such as printers and copiers
Troubleshoot problems with hardware and software
Install equipment
Troubleshoot problems with and repair equipment
Maintain equipment
Inspect equipment to identify problems
Additional Skills:
Demonstrate fluency or working knowledge of a foreign language
Fundraise
Undertake community work
Design websites
Jobs out there!
There are jobs out there for mature and older job seekers. For many, the first step quite often is dusting off their CV’s and polishing rusty interview skills.Top of Form
Updating your CV
It’s worth noting that as a mature worker your CV will almost certainly need to be updated and revised for the next role you choose to embark on. Employers will be keeping an eye out for relevant and up to date information, so try to avoid a long chronological CV of all career experience over numerous pages. Be specific and keep your CV short but punchy.
You may need to tweak your CV for each job application
It is essential to be fluid in your approach to CV writing. Have a core CV highlighting all your skills but be smart in your approach for each job application. Make sure that you understand what the application requires and strip your CV of any unnecessary details. This has the added advantage of making your CV more concise. Take this same approach with covering letters.
Age-Proof Your CV and Cover Letter
One way to overcome the perception that your age is an issue is to age-proof and edit your CV. Limiting what you include on your CV, from a chronological perspective, can help job seekers avoid the stigma of being considered "too old" by a prospective employer. Make sure your references to job skills, experience and accomplishments use contemporary vocabulary. For example, you should use the term “formatted documents” rather than “typed documents.”
Unfortunately, ageism exists, but, fortunately, a CV is not meant to list chronologically everything you've ever done in your career. Employers are most interested in the results you've delivered, especially in the last 10 to 15 years max. The goal when crafting your CV should be to create a compelling, results-driven narrative that shares what you have accomplished and what you are capable of today. Keep it relevant to the job you are hoping to get. (this may mean creating different CV’s for different jobs.)
If you are concerned about age discrimination, it’s acceptable to leave the dates off of your education history, since it is not relevant to what you now bring to the table.
When writing your CV and your covering letters, there's no need to mention every job you've ever had. Include only the most recent positions.
If you are including a photo, use a professional photo that is flattering and makes you look approachable, personable and energetic - and definitely one that's current! You don't want recruiters and HR personnel to feel misled by a 20-year-old photo when they finally meet you in person. Your goal is not to hide your age - you’re just showing yourself in the best possible light
CV/resume tips for older workers
Target your CV. Take the time to write a targeted CV that is customised so that it specifically highlights the experience you have which is relevant to the specific job that you are applying for. The same targeted CV won’t work for every job, so you will likely need a different one for each job application.
Make your CV skills-based. All your years of experience probably means you’ve built up an impressive skill set. Really highlight the skills that are most valuable. If you can, show some skills that demonstrate that you are comfortable with current technology
Limit your related experience. Limit the related experience, (experience related to the job you are applying for) you include on your CV to 10 – 15 years, leaving older jobs off your CV entirely. As an example, there is no need to let an employer know that you completed your uni degree in 1979 or worked as a sales manager from 1984 -1987 – your relevant skills and experience are what is really important
Don't include dates. Don't include school and university dates or for any other courses including professional development courses that you took over 10-15 years ago
Be careful about years. Don't list the length of experience you have in your CV summary. For example, it's not advantageous to say you have 20 or 30 years of experience in anything. This will immediately signal that you are older, and your application may just get put at the bottom of the pile.
Consider a Functional CV. As an older worker you may want to consider a Functional CV. A functional CV is skills based and is written, focused and places more emphasis on showing your work experience, knowledge and expertise, as opposed to a traditional Chronological CV where the emphasis is on listing your experience in date order. The Functional CV is developed and organised by your individual skills rather than your previous job titles or chronology – it lists your accomplishments at the top of your CV. You can find numerous Functional CV templates on the internet
Polish up your CV. Presentation matters. Make sure your CV is polished and well presented. You don't want your CV to "look" old-fashioned. As a suggestion, get one of your family to help you with the layout and formatting or browse the various resume/CV sites to find the latest templates that will give your CV a fresh look.
Getting ready to submit your CV. Bearing in mind that most resumes are emailed or uploaded to a company website or job site to apply for jobs, email a copy of your CV to yourself, to be sure your formatting doesn't get lost during the transmission (sending your CV as a PDF file is generally the norm)
CV templates
You can easily find numerous CV templates on the internet. As a summary, ensure that your CV includes the following:
Personal summary/accomplishments – this would cover your career summary highlighting your skills, expertise and experience. You are “selling yourself” and covering key attributes which should match some of the “sought” skills in the job advertisement
Key skills/experience/expertise – critical to ensure that they relate to the position you are applying for. These should be strong, sharp and bullet pointed
Employment history – no more than 10-15 years max with:
Company name/ dates of employment/ position
Key responsibilities
Achievements
Relevant education/qualifications – remember to remove dates if course or degree was completed more than 20 years ago
References – either name referees and provide a contact detail or state that they are “Available on request”. Remember to check with your referees that they are happy to be a referee for you before submitting their name and contact details!
General covering letter tips
Your covering letters are really important and a very critical tool in assisting in getting you “noticed” by the recruiter. Writing a good covering letter is as important as writing your CV. Your covering letter is an important way to show your personality, whereas your CV generally is more factual, so do make sure that your wording reflects you as a person and your personality as opposed to just your skills and experience.
You need your covering letter to be a targeted covering letter if you are applying for a specific job. As the name implies, a targeted covering letter speaks directly to the job you are interested in, using words and phrases that match the job description. Thus, no two covering letters should ever be exactly the same.
It can be painful to have to tweak your covering letter for every new job application, but as each job is unique, so to a covering letter needs to be 100% targeted to that job. You don't have to rewrite your entire covering letter every time - have a basic template and just rearrange and restructure it to fit the specific details of the job opportunity.
Covering letter templates
You can easily find numerous covering letter templates on the internet. As a summary, ensure that your covering letter includes the following:
Short intro para referencing the job which you are applying for and stating your strong interest
Personal career summary highlighting your key skills, expertise and experience. You are “selling yourself” and covering key attributes which should match some of the “sought” skills in the job advertisement
Specific skills as they relate to the position you are applying for – these could be strong, sharp and bullet pointed
“Call to action” final positive para leading to the recruiter inviting you for an interview
In summary…
Make sure it is clear that you have read the job description/advertisement carefully and understand exactly what the employer is seeking with the position
Be positive and confident about your abilities relating to the position
Don’t “copy and paste” large chunks of copy from your CV
Keep the covering letter concise and to the point, not more than one page, ideally less
Try to engage with the recruiter/person reading the covering letter so that she/he will be looking forward to reading your CV
Some specific covering letter tips for older job seekers
Many of the tips for writing a CV apply for a covering letter, so please read the CV section as well as the tips below as we didn’t want to repeat ourselves unnecessarily!
Don't summarise your entire CV. A good covering letter doesn't read like an autobiography or a shortened version of your CV. For older candidates, it is important to veer away from a sequential recounting of your employment, and instead focus on experience relevant to the job at hand.
Focus on flexibility. Mention your flexibility, adaptability, and willingness to learn in your covering letter. It will clearly show you as young and eager, even if you aren't so young in years. Similarly, highlight any knowledge of current technology that you have since this is often a big concern for recruiters.
Be careful about salary expectations. If the job posting requests your salary expectations, note that you are flexible. That way employers won't think of you as being overqualified and/or overpriced.
Not old-fashioned. It's essential that your covering letter does not look old-fashioned. Watch for dated language, too. Your word choices can potentially make you seem older or younger than your actual age. Favour short, snappy sentences over longer, more complex syntax. Consider having a younger professional, preferably in your industry, read through your covering letter to make sure your phrasing doesn't date you.
Interview tips for older workers
One basic piece of advice is to address employers’ concerns as perception can be very important
Even though employers can't legally ask you directly about your age, they sometimes ask questions during a job interview to try to determine how old you are. Anticipate possible questions and have non-defensive, upbeat answers. Review tips and advice for successful interviewing for older seekers, including how to make the experience an asset, what to wear, how to address age issues, and how to stay positive at a time when interviewing can be especially challenging.
Here are some simple tips to help with your interview preparation.
Before the day of the interview
Refresh Your Interviewing skills - If you haven't interviewed in a while, you may be surprised that interviewing has changed. Many interviewers now employ behavioural interviewing techniques. You will need to provide examples of how you have applied sought-after skills in various projects and roles. Employers are also now more focused on evaluating how candidates have produced results and impacted outcomes. You should review each of your past jobs and be prepared to describe situations where you applied relevant skills and the results which you generated
Do a practice interview. A practice interview will not only help settle your nerves, it'll help you to realise how prepared you are to answer the questions. If you can, practice with a friend who is in the workforce, a former colleague or simply in front of a family member or friend. Ask them how you come across and what areas you can improve upon.
Read the job specification and job description again. Familiarise yourself once again with the job description and person specification, as well as your covering letter, CV and application form.
Do some background research. Knowing a few key facts about the organisation can really help in the interview. It shows you have made the effort to find out more about the organisation and the job role/requirements. Ideally you will have a couple of questions about the company/job “up your sleeve” which you can drop in during the interview – this will demonstrate your preparedness and keenness to secure the role that you have applied for.
You should also ask about the interview format, so you know what to expect on the day.
Plan for the interview day. Double-check the time of the interview, where it will take place, and how long it will take to get there. Plan your route and your leaving time, giving yourself plenty of time to get there without feeling rushed or stressed. Make sure you take a note of their phone number in case you’re running late.
Keep It Positive - It can be discouraging when it seems like what you’re doing isn’t working. Consider each interview as another chance to get a work opportunity and do your best to be upbeat. Your posture and body language provide an opportunity to exude energy and vitality. Stand up straight, have a spring in your step and reach out to all the people you meet with enthusiasm. Make sure your voice is vibrant and not monotone. Think about projecting an energetic aura at all times.
How to Address Being Overqualified - If you are wanting to change from a stressful career to a less pressured but more fulfilling one, as many older workers do, employers may view you as being overqualified for the job you are applying for. You can combat this perception by clearly describing your enthusiasm for the specific duties associated with the work. It will help if you can reference how satisfying it was for you to carry out similar functions in the recent past
Think about and prepare what you are going to wear. Pick out what you will wear and have it ready. Try it on in advance to ensure it fits properly and looks suitable for the interview.
On the day of the interview
Aim to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled time, just in case you need to sign into the building or find the right room.
If you are running late, phone ahead and let them know
Avoid unnecessary distractions – put your mobile phone on silent
What should I expect at the job interview?
The interview could take place with one person or several people, or possibly in front of a panel.
Many interviews will consist of a set of pre-determined questions, which are asked of all candidates. You may notice your interviewer(s) writing comments as you answer. Don’t be unnerved by this – it’s just so they can go back over their notes later to help them make their decision. Sometimes they will score you on your answers and add up the scores later to see which candidate received the highest marks.
Some employers ask candidates to sit a test or to prepare a presentation for their interview. If you have to prepare a presentation, make sure you have all the materials you need with you, including any handouts.
Check with the employer in advance if you plan to use a PowerPoint presentation, as you will need to make sure they have the equipment available or arrange to bring it yourself.