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Jobs and Older Applicants
By Richard | March 14, 2007
The modern world has seen many plant closures and massive layoffs. In some cases, older workers receive “buyouts” or early pensions. In many cases, though, they are just given their notice and a month’s pay. Those older workers then discover that it can be hard to get a job due to their age. Some (many?) employers prefer a younger workforce, not realizing the benefits that come from hiring some of us “old” ones.
Fortunately, employers are starting to see the potential of older and much-experienced applicants as can be seen by the statistics below:
- In Australia, Bureau of Statistics showed that between the period of August of 1989 to that of August of 2003, the workforce aged 15-24 lost more than 380,000 jobs to older workers. Aside from the fact that most of Australia’s younger generation became full-time students, employers favored the older applicants.
- In Netherlands on the other hand (by December of 2000), over 500,000 thousand of their employees are 55 years old and above. This figure had been increasing steadily since 1995.
If you are an older job hunter, then to have a head start on the younger applicants, you have to take into consideration the following:
Resume Tips
In writing one’s resume, put more weight in highlighting the accomplishments without necessarily bragging about them.
One could have these lists of accomplishments and previous posts held work for one’s advantage over younger applicants who may not even have any experience in the same field.
An individual’s employment history receives as much scrutiny as the applicant itself. While employers tend to look for gaps or lapses of time when the applicant has been unemployed, they also tend to focus on the length of service one had rendered for their previous employers.
Frequent change of work (usually within very short time frames) can be alarming for prospective employers. The younger crowd often suffers from this frequent job hopping.
Continue to Educate
Read and enroll in programs that will refresh your knowledge in your chosen fields, especially if engaged in professional sectors. This will keep you abreast of the latest trend in such fields.
Surf the Net
Search the Internet for vacancies. A lot of agencies place ads on the net that advertises help for senior citizens in looking for jobs. Various search engines made easier and specific (can choose the following categories: career, location and field of interest) are also available.
One Final Point
If you find yourself jobless and over 50 years old, do not delay in your job search. The longer you wait, the harder it will get. Potential employers do not like to see gaps in your work history.
Get out there and work the system. You may have to knock on more doors than when you were younger, but a job is waiting for you.
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