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By Linda TuerkThere is no argument that ageism is rampant in the US, and many are finding themselves in the most difficult searches
of their lives. Why is this happening? The short version is this: the Internet means 700 people apply, and it used to be 37. Also the pace of business has never been faster. Everyone is overworked, always on, and exhausted. Hiring plans change every few weeks in many public companies. Add to that, the amount of information everybody is expected to handle has grown exponentially and no one has the time for
thoughtful and contextual analysis of your email, cover letter, resume or LinkedIn profile. Don’t make them think! They don’t have time, and it’s not their fault. Employer Concerns About Overqualified Job Seekers When they do see your profile or resume, and notice you are
older, these are the things they are most worried about: - You might not have the energy to keep up.
- You will not pull off intense deadlines in a fast paced company.
- You conduct business at a slower pace than they
do.
- You bring “baggage” (history), and will tell them why their goals can’t be achieved because you saw the same thing tried in 1987. While they will come to value your experience, they don’t want to get the feeling that you are stuck in processes, etc.
- Your technical skills aren’t relevant, and you will never come up to
speed.
- You are more senior than this position, and you are just taking this until you find something better.
- You will be bored and leave.
- You are a classic manager and no longer roll up your sleeves to be an individual contributor
too.
Yes, these concerns are real. These are the reasons they tell me when we discuss an older candidate's qualifications. Often, I can counter successfully, the interview is set up, and the person is often hired. By Laura Smith-Proulx If you're even an occasional LinkedIn user, you've surely noticed that, upon logging into the site, there are numerous Updates listed on your Home page. Here, new connections, blog posts, polls,
quotes, and other bits of information scroll past during each view of the page. While you might not pay close attention to these Updates until something catches your eye, there's a reason to join in the conversation. LinkedIn Updates, when used correctly, can
become a fantastic brand building-block for both your short- and long-term career management and job search. As free, simple advertising for your personal brand, Updates can quickly become hallmarks of your professional activity and career direction, and can be easily found by any LinkedIn user. The Benefits of Using Updates?They are a constant reminder to your audience of why you're using the site. And, they add a dash of personality and career-strengthening data on your professional activities. Best of all, Updates keep on working for you long after their creation, requiring minimal effort on your part. Creating a LinkedIn UpdateUpdates are very easy to create: - Go to your LinkedIn Home page, and type your latest news into the "Share an article, photo, or update" box near the top of your LinkedIn Home Page, as seen in the image above.
- Post a comment on someone's Conversation (formerly, "Discussion") or Pulse Post as seen in the image
above.
- Share someone else's Conversation or Pulse Post.
- "Like" someone's discussion or comment in Group Conversations or their comment on a Pulse Post.
These notes will be added to the All Updates list in your Profile, and will also stay in place on your Profile (as a scrolling list) below your Profile Dashboard. (They will also be noticed by the person who made the original post.) Another way to see your updates is to click on the "Me" link at the top of your LinkedIn page, and
select "Posts & Activity" from the drop-down list below it. Recommended Reading... - Managing the Age Issue with Recruiters by Jeff Lipschultz (a recruiter)
For older job seekers, the goal is to turn your age into an asset so that
recruiters and hiring managers view you as a seasoned veteran, not as overqualified. As a job seeker, your first commandment is to find the job that fits your experience, career goals, strengths, and personal fulfillment. Hiring managers are looking to do the same thing. Nowhere in the job requirements is an age specified. - Resumes for the Unemployed and Overqualified by Martin Yate
When you started your career the problem was that no one wanted
entry-level candidates. Now, when you have a wealth of experience, the problem has reversed itself. The challenge now becomes what to do in a job search when you are rejected, not for lack of experience but for too much experience. Almost every problem with a troubled job search can be traced back to a resume, and this problem is no exception. Same ad as in the last newsletter. The year-end holidays can be the BEST time to job hunt, MUCH better than January, because
employers are trying to be fully staffed before the New Year. These 101 tips will give you insight into how to leverage those holiday get-togethers to land a job by January 1. |
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