What is considered old by most employers? It might surprise you. In some industries, especially high-tech, even mid-thirties can be considered old. In fact, there are those in the computer programming field who consider workers who were over thirty old!

Unfortunately for older job seekers, the older you are, the longer it can take to get a job and the harder it can be to get hired.

What can you do to address age discrimination and promote your candidacy for employment? There are strategies older job seekers can implement to help expedite a job search and to find gainful, and meaningful, employment.

Job Search Tips for Older Workers

Age Proof and Edit Your Resume
One way to overcome the perception that your age is an issue, is to age proof and edit your resume. Limiting what you include on your resume, from a chronological perspective, can help job seekers avoid the stigma of being considered "too old" by a prospective employer.

Your Cover Letter is Critical
Your cover letter is critical, as well. Learn what to include in your cover letter, how to showcase your skills, and how to effectively market your candidacy to employers.

Target Your Cover Letter (We’ll cover each of these in our next post)

• Don't Include Years of Experience.
• Don't Promote Your Age.
• Do Emphasize Your Related Experience.
• Focus on Flexibility.
• Be Careful About Salary Requirements.
• Polish Up Your Cover Letter.
• Be Prepared to Email Your Cover Letter.

Emphasize Your Relevant Experience
When writing your resume and your cover letters, there's no need to mention every job you've ever had. Include only the most recent positions and, if you attended college, don't list your graduation dates.

Update Your Job Search Image
You can strategically write your resume and cover letter, but you can't change the basic facts - your actual age and your employment history are etched in stone. However, there are ways you can work on your appearance when you are job searching. And that can make a big difference when you're interviewing.

Use Your Network
Networking is still one of the best ways to find a job. Regardless of when you graduated, if your alma mater has a career network use it to contact alumni in your field of interest. Use online and offline networking resources to make connections to help with your job search.

Consider a Career Change
It can be easier than you might think to change careers. It's not easy to walk away from a stable paycheck and job security. Sometimes it takes a push, like a layoff, to move you in the right direction. It can though, give you a shot at a new career and new life, further along in life than for most people who are choosing career options.

If you're brave enough to consider giving up your day job to start a new career or new business, there are ways you can make extra money to supplement your perhaps smaller paycheck. You could work a second job, do freelance or temp work, and cut your expenses. The savings from skipping that cup of coffee you buy every morning or going out to dinner on a regular basis can add up fast. Create a budget that seems feasible and see if you can manage to get by without a paycheck or with a smaller one.

Remember, we spend a good portion of our life working and it's important to make sure that what we do is meaningful and fufilling. Regardless of your current job, take time to mull over whether what you're doing is what you want to be doing. If not, consider how to take another career path. You never know where you might end up!

Get Job Search Help
If you're struggling with your job search, consider seeking assistance. There are no-cost programs provided by OneStop Career Centers, non-profit groups, and local libraries, for example, that can assist.

Contact Us to help you with your job search. Kane & Associates, Inc. has been recruiting qualified professionals for over 20 years. We believe in building long-term business relationships based on integrity and trust.

Our mission is to be first in customer service in responding to our client's needs.

We collaborate closely with hiring managers to determine exactly what your needs are, then work efficiently to satisfy those needs.

If you are a candidate, please view The Job Menu and contact your Kane & Associates recruiting partner to discuss new opportunities in the marketplace.

Keep Your Skills Current
Everyone applying for employment, regardless of age, needs to be computer literate. If you can't send an email, or don't know what Instant Message is, take a computer class. There are classes offered, free or low-cost, by continuing education centers, churches, libraries, and school. The more current your skills, the better your prospects for finding employment.

Don't Give Up
Job searching typically isn't easy, regardless of how old you are. So, don't give up. It might take a while to find a job, but, there are employers who understand the value of an older worker with maturity, life experience, and skills.

Share Your Job Search Story
Share your job search success story and what you learned during your job search. What job search tools did you use, what job sites worked for you, how did you conduct your job search?

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