The typical period of joblessness for job hunters age 50 and older was 45 weeks in November 2015. That's more than 6 months longer than the 32 weeks younger employees stay out of work, according to an AARP Public Policy Institute study of Bureau of Labor Statistics files.
Right here are a few techniques to discover a brand-new job after age 50.
Begin your job hunt immediately.
Do not wait until your unemployment ends to begin searching for a brand-new job. "It does look like possibilities are best for the out of work once they leave their occupations, so it may be a smart idea to begin job hunting in earnest right at the start, instead of easing into job hunting while on unemployment," states Joanna Russell, an assistant professor at Texas A&M University who researches age bias.
A sizable hole on your resume and an increasing sense of annoyance with the job hunt process can make things much more challenging to get employed once again.
Work your network.
Even though there are definitely numerous modern-day methods to locate jobs on-line and through social media sites, having contacts at the business you want to work for is still among the very best strategies to discover openings and get employed.
"The No. 1 method to discover a job is through contacts," Russell states. "You can stay away from a great deal of implicit bias if somebody who knows you wants to vouch for you."
Assure a young boss.
Some supervisors might feel awkward supervising somebody who is more seasoned than they are.
"The important thing to remember is that the individual supervising you or making the hiring selection might well be younger than you are, and unsure about managing somebody with more experience," states Petrov Dimetrious, an administration professor and administrator of the Center for Human Resources at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.
"So it is essential to let them understand you are OK with the job you're applying for, that you do not want their job which you are expecting to take instructions from them."
Do not discuss your age or the job interviewer's age.
"Even when the individual interviewing you is no older than your kids, never ever make any reference to their age, thinly veiled or otherwise," states Joan Anderson, an occupation trainer and author of "Beginning Again: 50+ Tips to Win From Your Dreams in Semi-Retirement."
"Making apparently innocent remarks like, 'Did you like college?' might readily be misinterpreted as a contemptuous and unwelcome statement."
Minimize your resume.
You do not have to incorporate every position you have ever held on your resume. "Do not make your resume a history lesson. Emphasize your latest accomplishments and the new skills you're getting," Anderson states. "In general, you ought to keep the light on the last 10 years of pertinent experience."
Discuss why you're not overqualified.
Possessing 20 or 30 years of job expertise can make you appear overqualified for lots of jobs. "Make certain your cover letter discusses why you're ideal for the work you're applying to," Russell states. "Explain any gaps or why you're applying for something for which it looks like you're overqualified."
Show your facility with modern technology.
More mature professionals are frequently viewed as being not able to efficiently make use of modern technology. Make it clear to prospective recruiters that you are tech-savvy and continuing to stay up to date with brand-new developments.
"I believe the single greatest thing you should do to get rid of age bias is to show your comfort with modern technology and social media sites throughout the interview process," Anderson states.
"There are lots of various methods to discreetly let prospective companies understand you're tech-friendly: Include your LinkedIn URL on your resume, point out a fascinating article you discovered on the company's Twitter feed or be a regular contributor to industry-related organizations on LinkedIn.
