It often seems there is an abundance of advice for young jobseekers, graduates and those making their first steps onto the career ladder. But what about guidance for the older generation of workers?
Many people often struggle with finding employment opportunities as they grow past the age of 50, despite attempts to protect against age discrimination. With the retirement age only going up, more and more people are staying in work for longer.
You may have been out of work for some time, recently made redundant, or looking for a new challenge after years in the same role. Whatever your current situation, we have the advice and guidance to help find your next job and continue on your journey.
So what do you need to do?
Promote Yourself
Use the years of experience you have built up to your advantage and draw attention to your accomplishments and achievements. Your CV should highlight these moments in your career where you achieved results. You are not required to put the date you received your education if it is not relevant or you are concerned about ageism.
Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
Most vacancies are advertised online. Therefore you must know how to find them or get help with looking if you are unsure how. There are free courses that offer IT training designed to improve your overall technological skills. This can make a huge difference when trying to search for work.
Embrace Change
Doing the same role for many years can sometimes get boring. However, older workers often feel it’s too late for a career change – but that is not the case. A study has shown that 85% of over-45’s who chose to start a new career were successful. Therefore, you should not let your age stop you from finding happiness and personal fulfilment in a new job.
Know Where to Look
Many recruitment agencies and job centres will have specialist advisors. They can provide one-to-one support and direct you towards employers with suitable vacancies. They may also be able to offer CV building tips and interview training to help you impress employers. Also, approaching employers directly can often be productive and highlight your proactiveness and willingness to work.
Network
If you are still struggling to find vacancies, try speaking to previous employers and old colleagues and asking for their advice. Research suggests over half of job roles are filled through networking, and positions that require a large amount of experience are often not fully advertised. Therefore it is vital to use your list of contacts built up over the years to your advantage.
For more help and guidance on choosing a career that is right for you, visit our dedicated guide.
