By Karen Gore
For most of us that have hit that wonderful stage in our lives known as over 40, looking for a new job can be a bit scary. In the past, we have been able to network with friends and found the next position quickly or replied to a handful of ads and Bingo – interviews and offers. {+}
Today the rules have changed on us and the job market is very tight. Companies want to cut costs so are looking for the “young and hungry” which really means in recruiting language will work cheaper than an experienced person will. This falsely held idea states that somehow a person with half the work experience, business savvy and in many cases work ethic will do the same high quality job of an older worker for less money. And companies wonder why they are losing money or customers.
So you’re in the job market – how do you compete with this? Here are some ideas how not just to outmaneuver the age issue, but how to stand apart from the sea of other resumes being received each day for any job opening.
Your experience is worth something, so market it that way. Women over 40, generally we’re discouraged from being assertive, which was seen as being “aggressive” and not “lady like”. The two behaviors are very different. The other issue we have to overcome is learning that “tooting our own horn” or a mild form of bragging is a good thing when looking for a job. You have worked hard getting where you are in your career, so brag about it on your resume. Men are masters at this.
One of the best ways to learn this skill is to actually see what someone else has done who was successful in landing a position similar to what you are looking for. The internet is the greatest tool for helping you learn this lesson. One of my favorite tools for finding successful people’s resumes is LinkedIn.com, a must for any professional in any field. This is a free networking site that is being used heavily by the over 40 group.
Prior to posting any of your information, for public view, search for other people within your field countrywide; really take a look at what they are putting on their profiles. When you read their write-ups do they make you go “wow”? If so, most likely you have a winner as a “mentor” on how to write your resume. Print out four or five of these “winners”. You now have a template for what you should be putting into your resume. Look at the wording: how did they list their achievements and what made you go “wow” about their experiences? The idea is not to copy what they have done but to use the style, exchanging your achievements for theirs.
Now you need to get down to work and build your resume. The goal is to stand out from others, by highlighting your skills, knowledge and most important achievements. Time and time again, I have reviewed resumes that read like a job description rather than a testament to what the person has done, and what they bring to the table of any future employer. Resumes are your brag sheet, it is meant to be a tool that whets the appetite of the hiring manager so they want to learn more about your abilities by calling you in for an interview. A resume is a marketing and sales tool rolled into one.
More to the point think about advertisements that grab your attention. Do ads just have a dry listing of the features, or do they make you want the product/service by selling what it will do for you? They make you think it will make you sexier, healthier, slimmer or whatever the desired result of the product/service is. Resumes should do the same thing for your background and experiences with hiring managers or recruiters. You want them to want you and your skills.
The goal of the resume is two-fold for someone over 40, especially if you are in your 50’s; look younger, yet highly experienced at the same time. Below are some simple tips on what NOT to do.
1.) Do not put your date of graduation on a resume.
2.) Do not put your marital status, how many children, status of health, height, weight or any other personal information.
3.) Do not list dates on job older than 10 years. After the ten year mark, only list the title, company and a line or two about achievements.
4.) If you have had a lot of jobs over the last fifteen or more years, only list one or two prior to the ten year cut off. Most employers do not see these as valuable.
5.) Do not list what your job duties were, i.e. filing documents, answering the phone, make sales calls.
6.) Do not list references or put “References upon Request”. This is a given.
Some tips on what you SHOULD put on your resume:
1.) If you have worked for several well know companies, such as IBM, Microsoft, Proctor & Gamble, etc, list the company first. The next line down should be the title of the job. This is true for regionally well known companies.
2.) Use market recognized titles, such as Manager, Sales or Senior Engineer. Companies like to sometime use titles that mean something to them but have no recognition in the job market, such as Head Headhunter. You would use Director or Vice President, Recruiting. This makes finding your resume easier for recruiters. I will discuss this in more depth in my next article.
3.) The first thing after the company worked for, job title and dates should be a sentence about what the company does. Example: Maker of hydraulic parts for the aerospace industry, third largest in the country.
4.) Use bullet points to briefly list YOUR achievements and awards.
5.) Keep it brief and to the point, you do not have to use full sentences in a resume.
6.) List all degrees you earned, at what college or university. If you did not graduate, still list that you attended and what major you were studying. Example: University of Phoenix Majored in Business.
7.) Briefly list community service work and volunteer work. Suggest that they do not show religious, political or ethnic interests.
In my next article we will explore how to build a job capturing resume in more detail. Until then, best wishes on the job search.
Karen Gore has over 20 years of experience in business operations, human resources, recruiting and entrepreneurship. She is recognized as an expert in her field, and has helped hundreds of people find the right job and make better business decisions. You are invited to visit her site at www.VirtualHRAssociates.com.