By: Linda Klingman
Francis H. lumbered into a professional networking meeting, plopped into a chair, and slouched backward with a loud humph. When it was her turn to present her 60 second elevator speech, she sighed, leaned forward and whined, “I’m Francis H, I’ve been an electrical engineer for 36 years, and I can’t get anyone to look at my resume. They see my experience but decide they don’t want old grey haired farts like me.” Then she sat back and rolled her eyes.
Francis has been in job search mode for over 3 years and it shows in her demeanor. Her friends say that she’s had the same attitude since her job loss.
This example points out one of the problems that seasoned job seekers – lack of self awareness of how they present themselves. A Human Resources Director wouldn’t give Francis a second look. Would you?
Therein lays a major issue for older job seekers. They have knowledge. They have wisdom and they have experience. But they must also show that they have the positive energy to get the job done. Here’s some interview advice for 50 and over job seekers to demonstrate that they can run with the younger crowd.
First, act energetic. Walk with confidence, head held high with a smile on your face. It’s a great time to remember Mom’s advice about good posture. See if, in small talk, you can work in something about a recent physical activity like a tennis game, gardening activities, or your recent accomplishment of achieving 10,000 step days. This type of activity shows that you think young and puts the cost of health care benefits further in the back of the recruiter’s mind.
Stay current with what is going on in your industry. Attend seminars and Webinars and courses about trends in the state of your craft. Seminars are a great place to network. When attending a seminar or conference, make sure you take enough business cards to pass around, and ask a question or make a statement that will get you noticed. Staying after the program to talk to the presenter, you’ll meet several other people with similar interests. Many Webinars are free or lost cost and provide up to date information that you can slip into conversation, thereby showing your knowledge and technological savvy at the same time. Many state agencies provide training for job seekers that can be helpful on your resume.
Speaking of technological know how, use social networking. If you don’t have a Facebook and Twitter account, at least make sure that you represent yourself on Linkedin. It is the most popular business social networking website and provides you with the opportunity to link with people you know, people they know, and those who know their contacts. Its three degrees of separation that can help you find the next job. Make sure that your entire profile is complete, including your picture because the more information you provide, the more people will notice you,
And finally, what you wear does make a difference. In this economy, there is no reason to pay a lot to look good and you do need to present an up to date image. Ask someone who will be brutally honest with you how your hair, clothes, and mannerisms come across as a first impression. Then adjust accordingly so that you present a young and active image. Remember that perception is another’s reality. Use the information that you gain to become more self aware of how you appear to others. It just may lead to employment.
Linda Klingman is a Human Resources leader with over 20 years of experience in Human Resources and Organizational Development. She has worked as a senior consultant for global consulting firms and was the principal at Today’s Workforce. She was also an associate professor in the School of Leadership at Mountain State University. Most recently, she has worked in leadership roles at Healthways and VLN Partners,
Linda is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources and earned an MS in Human Resources from LaRoche College. She also has a BA in English and MEd from the University of Pittsburgh.
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