The Over 50 <b>Job Seeker</b>: How to Find a Job | Job Blog | SnagAJob.com

Welcome recruiter and hiring expert Jessica Miller-Merrell to the SnagAJob.com blog. She’ll be writing guest blog posts from an expert point of view that will make you smarter, better  job seekers.

Being over 50 and in the job market is tough.   What’s acceptable in the job market has changed along with the technology.  Before the job board boom of the 1990’s, job seekers applied in person and learned about job openings through traditional outlets like store signage and Help Wanted advertisements.  Now applicants apply online and find jobs through job boards like SnagAJob, social media, and their friends and family.

Bob’s Story

Bob was 76 and laid off from his industrial job a little over a year ago.  He was running out of time – as well as his unemployment, savings and patience.  Bob’s background is a little bit of everything.  With more than 35 years of work experience, he hasn’t had to explain why he doesn’t have anything more than an associate’s degree even in the industrial engineering field he works in.  His job search was going no where. He interviewed for positions he was extremely overqualified for and was getting rejected for positions he wasn’t qualified for because he didn’t have that pesky bachelors degree. Because the field of engineering has a bachelor’s degree as a minimum requirement,   Bob’s expertise and experience were getting ignored.

What to do if you’re in the same situation:

Rely on Your Network. Bob sent five custom-created emails to his most trusted contacts with his newly revised resume and a quick note outlining his intentions, interests, top companies and opportunities he was most interested in.  He cross-referenced this list using his LinkedIn profile, adding his contact information and refreshed his profile.Leverage Local Resources. Over 50 services, such as your local AARP offices, provide training, information and resources.  Many companies who are looking to hire older workers for their experience and flexible schedules have relationships with AARP.In Person or Phone Follow-Up. Like Bob, many older workers can’t fully explain or articulate their work experience and background in a two-page resume or online application.  Visit the company’s location or call them on the phone to follow up.  Your network can assist by helping make an introduction or forwarding on your resume and contact information.

Bob sent his emails, made phone calls after reworking his resume to just two pages.  Within just five days and with only five emails, Bob had a phone call and an interview.  And another interview.  And a presentation.  Then Bob waited and waited and waited. This story has a happy ending.  Bob got the job.  By changing his strategy and using his network and being aggressive, his year-long job search had ended.  Sometimes a small change like an email and communicating your job search intentions to your network can make all the difference.

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