This is unquestionably going to be a recurring topic. Believe it or not, I have been discounting the role age plays in hiring decisions. I just didn't want to believe it. But here's the truth: I have had many interviews where there was no apparent reason for me not to get the job, yet I still didn't get it. I know when I have screwed up an interview, and I'm not including those times. So, here's the question: if I had all the qualifications, and I bonded with the interviewer, and everything went okay, why didn't I get the job?
So, I've been looking on the AARP website for inspiration the last few days. There is a lot of information there. Two books I am currently reading: Great Jobs for Everyone 50+ by Kerry Hannon and The Encore Career Handbook, by Marci Alboher. Both are about choosing to continue to work outside of the field you worked in earlier in your career. Both address the issues involved with bias against those over 50. They are good books. And AARP also has an annual list of the best companies for those over 50 to work for. I am researching them now.
The book covers:
Yesterday I took a webinar about how to create your own internet brand. I found it through www.befoundjobs.com. The webinars are free, with a big up-sell at the end. It was excellent. I have been working on the theory that I want to keep a low digital profile, and now I find that's not true. In fact, 92% of employers use LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to fill their vacant positions. So you have to create and control your digital profile. There is also a concern among younger employers now that people over 50 are afraid of technology. This seminar tells you how to help overcome that. There are also a lot of tips about how to find jobs on these three media. I found a lot of sources in the Harrisburg area that I didn't know exist!
I interviewed today at a temp service, including typing tests, etc. I am glad I did: She is sending my resume to two places for temp to hire positions. And she told me I have a midwest accent. I laughed and told her that people in the midwest don't think we have accents.
In the meantime, I am applying to at least one job a day, depending on how long the application process is. I wander in the area for about an hour a day, to discover new places and keep my spirits up. AND I walk every day now.
Have a wonderful day!
So, I've been looking on the AARP website for inspiration the last few days. There is a lot of information there. Two books I am currently reading: Great Jobs for Everyone 50+ by Kerry Hannon and The Encore Career Handbook, by Marci Alboher. Both are about choosing to continue to work outside of the field you worked in earlier in your career. Both address the issues involved with bias against those over 50. They are good books. And AARP also has an annual list of the best companies for those over 50 to work for. I am researching them now.
The book covers:
Yesterday I took a webinar about how to create your own internet brand. I found it through www.befoundjobs.com. The webinars are free, with a big up-sell at the end. It was excellent. I have been working on the theory that I want to keep a low digital profile, and now I find that's not true. In fact, 92% of employers use LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to fill their vacant positions. So you have to create and control your digital profile. There is also a concern among younger employers now that people over 50 are afraid of technology. This seminar tells you how to help overcome that. There are also a lot of tips about how to find jobs on these three media. I found a lot of sources in the Harrisburg area that I didn't know exist!
I interviewed today at a temp service, including typing tests, etc. I am glad I did: She is sending my resume to two places for temp to hire positions. And she told me I have a midwest accent. I laughed and told her that people in the midwest don't think we have accents.
In the meantime, I am applying to at least one job a day, depending on how long the application process is. I wander in the area for about an hour a day, to discover new places and keep my spirits up. AND I walk every day now.
Have a wonderful day!
Good reading, and helpful too for those of us in a similar position. Thanks a lot for the tips, too! I'm glad you are journalling for us; don't forget the down times, because we need to expect them, too. ;) I don't mean augur in, omg down times :) just the disappointments as well as successes, both however minor but still, they count :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestion! There have been a couple disappointments, including the company that wanted to hire me badly enough to do a background check, and now have just disappeared. I hear there are problems there, but I don't know...I am just moving on.
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