Job Hunt: Improving the odds for the over-50 crowd

TEMPE, AZ - We want to help those of you on the job hunt.

The Arizona economy may be on its way to a slow recovery, but the unemployment rate in our state remains sky high.

Each Wednesday, we highlight real mistakes made during real job interviews, plus other job hunt dilemmas, and offer real tips to help turn those situations around.

Have you had your own bad experiences? Do you know someone else who has shared a bad experience with you? E-mail us a summary at rebecca.thomas@abc15.com , and we'll track down some advice from the experts for one of our future posts.

This week's job hunt scenario:

I’m over fifty and having a very difficult time getting back in the workforce. I feel that even when I am qualified for a position, the younger workers have the advantage by virtue of their age. How can I sell myself so that my senior status is not an issue?

This week's advice:
By: Karen E. Lamb
Assistant Director, Career Advising and Curriculum
Arizona State University

Think about it: Is your age an issue to the employer or to you? Do you feel ‘old”? Are you acting “elderly”? If you are focusing on your age as being a negative, you may unconsciously be communicating this same message to a prospective employer. Reframe any thoughts that your chronological age is a disadvantage and look at its advantages; it will create a much more positive impression as you conduct your job search.

The trick is to embrace a youthful attitude that portrays energy and enthusiasm and, at the same time, to sell your unique qualifications as skills that can only be obtained through years of experience. In addition, examples of past accomplishments can be used to demonstrate the excellent analytical thinking, decision-making skills, reliability, and dependability developed by the mature worker.

There are also several strategies that will sell your qualifications on your resume and during an employment interview.

As with everything else, resume writing formats and practices have changed over time; your resume should be updated within the past year so it reflects current resume writing trends. Your updated resume should emphasize qualifications that are most critical to the position you are seeking and eliminate information that discloses your age. For instance, it is not necessary to include all the jobs you have held in your life on your resume; the general rule is that your employment history is limited to the past ten years. Likewise, in the education section of your resume, it is not necessary to list the dates that you completed your schooling.

If you are returning to the workforce after an extended period of unemployment, it may be necessary to update your technology skills. If you need to learn new software or update computer skills, affordable training classes are often available through your public library or community college continuing education program. Consider volunteering to show you are currently “working”.

In addition, your appearance should be up-to-the-minute. If a man suspects that his business suit is dated, it probably is. Visit a local retail store and ask an employee for assistance. Tell them you have an important job interview and are looking for a modern, but classic suit in black, grey or navy. Pair it with clean dress shoes, a solid button-up shirt and socks that match the pants. For women, wearing a skirt suit with stockings and one signature piece of jewelry, such as a scarf or broach, will add style and grace to your presence.

One does not need to be young to benefit from creating a youthful appearance that portrays vim, vigor, and the ability to get the job done. Even a commercial for hair color for men illustrates how a business man, who covers up his grey hair, lands the job – and a new lady too! While, in real life, no one gets a job and a date in 60 seconds, the point is that coloring your hair, adopting a new hairstyle, staying trim, and wearing stylish clothes has value. At the very least, a more attractive appearance may boost your confidence and, that alone, may provide the edge you need to conduct a successful job search.

Karen E. Lamb, M.A.; M.S.I.R.

Karen E. Lamb is a career development professional with over twenty years experience as an administrator in higher education. Her substantial experience in career development includes positions as the Director of Career Services for Elgin Community College in Illinois and Assistant Director of Career Advising and Curriculum for Arizona State University. Karen is certified as a Global Career Development Facilitator.

Karen has served as adjunct faculty teaching career development courses for a number of colleges and universities. In her career, she has delivered countless workshops and presentations on career-related topics.