Job Hunting After 50

241 Pages·2011·0.69 MB·English

by  Carol A. Silvis

JOB HUNTING
0
5
AFTER
Carol A. Silvis
Course Technology PTR
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Job Hunting After 50 © 2012 Course Technology, a part of Cengage Learning.
Carol A. Silvis
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Acknowledgments
A special thanks to Mitzi Koontz, Senior Acquisitions Editor, for believing in
and supporting this project; to Jenny Davidson, Project Editor, for her expert-
ise and guidance; and to Sandy Doell, Copyeditor, for her insight and assis-
tance. Working with such a fine team of professionals made completing this
project enjoyable. Thanks also to the many others who had a part in produc-
ing this book.
I would like to acknowledge my supportive family, both immediate and
extended, and the many friends who have encouraged me throughout my
writing career. A special thanks to Sandra Hahn for always believing in me.
About the Author
Carol Silvisis the author of 101 Ways to Make Yourself Indispensable at Work
(Cengage, 2009) and college textbooks 100% Externship Success (Cengage,
2009) and General Office Procedures (Cengage, 2001). She has had a dozen
creative non-fiction stories and inspirational pieces published in national
magazines.
Ms. Silvis was video interviewed in June 2009 by Tory Johnson for
ABCNews.com and appeared twice on Cornerstone TV half-hour talk shows.
She has also been interviewed for cable TV, radio, and newspapers.
Carol has a master’s degree in Adult Education and is an associate director
and department chair at Newport Business Institute. In addition, she gives
workshops and seminars for schools, businesses, and professional organiza-
tions on a variety of topics.
Ms. Silvis is president of Pennwriters, Inc., a 440-member writing group, won
the 2008 Meritorious Service Award, was past VP and Authors’Advocate,
and was the 2005 and 2007 Conference Coordinator.
Visit her website www.carolsilvis.com and blog
www.carolsilvis.blogspot.com. Follow her on twitter @carolsilvis
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .x
Chapter 1
What Skills and Qualifications Set You Apart? . . . . . . . . . . . .1
What Is Your Purpose for Working . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
What Are Your Personal Assets? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
What Do Employers Want? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Where Can You Obtain Skills? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Get an Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Tips to Get the Most Out of Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Read Discriminately and Avidly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Improve Your Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Tips to Improve the Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Gain an Edge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
What Concerns Employers? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Chapter 2
Resumes and Employment Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
The Resume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Resumes Then and Now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Formatting the Resume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Digital Resumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Keywords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Creating the Resume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Objective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Qualifications Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Accomplishments Versus Duties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
vi Job Hunting After 50
Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Work Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Education and Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Activities and Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Prove It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Reference Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Tips for References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Cover Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Tips for Writing a Cover Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Chapter 3
Using Technology to Find Employment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Researching Companies Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Research Company Websites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Research Employment Websites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Career Websites for Mature Workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Social Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Join In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Chapter 4
Networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
What Do You Want? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Build Your Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Make It Positive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
Cultivate Your Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Tell Them About Yourself . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Find Hidden Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Professional and Alumni Associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Watch Nonverbal Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
Use Social Networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Attend Job Fairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Networking Meals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
Organize Your Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Contents vii
Networking Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Reciprocate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Networking Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
Business Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Chapter 5
Attitude, Energy, and Dressing for Success . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Display a Positive Attitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Tips for Maintaining a Positive Attitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
Be Flexible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
Persist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Assess Your Attitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
Face Job Search Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Take Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Self-Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Be Energetic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
Manage Your Stress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
Get Organized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
Manage Your Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
Time Management Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
Dress the Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
Shoes and Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
Hair and Makeup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
Casual Business Attire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138
Chapter 6
Mistakes Job Seekers Over 50 Make . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Failing to Get Along with Other Generations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
Getting to Know Different Generations in the Workplace . . . . . . . . .141
Training and Learning Among Generations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
Interacting in a Multi-Generational Workplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144
Unwillingness to Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146
Unwillingness to Be Innovative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
Overqualified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
Not Embracing Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
viii Job Hunting After 50
Lack of Confidence and Low Self-Esteem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
Being Unprepared for the Interview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
Common Interview Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
Interview Tips for 50 and Older Job Seekers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158
Too High Salary Expectations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
Errors on Employment Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
Lack of Enthusiasm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
Unable to Work with Diverse Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
Unable to Make a Connection Between Your Background and What the
Employer Needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
Chapter 7
Who’s Hiring? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165
Research Job Growth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167
Managing and Directing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
Career Coaching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
Consulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
Entrepreneurship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170
Adjunct or Full-Time Teacher or Tutor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
Non-Profit Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
Small Businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
Health Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177
Customer Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
Retail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
Social Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
Recreation and Hospitality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180
Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
Freelance Writing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
Party, Event, and Wedding Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
Miscellaneous Jobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
Contents ix
Chapter 8
Create a Success Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
Set Job Search Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Create an Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196
Take the Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201
Write a Resume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203
Line Up References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204
Put Together a Portfolio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205
Track Your Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
Increase Your Success at Achieving Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209
Visualize Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210
Get the Most Out of Your Job Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219