Getting a job is never easy but when you reach a certain age, you may have come to the conclusion that you’re no longer hireable. Those little voices inside your head may be telling you that it just isn’t worth it to try and find something new, so you may be stuck in a job that you simply despite or stay unemployed for the sake of not damaging your pride. Unless you’ve got retirement planned for the near future, you deserve to have a fulfilled work life despite your age. In this guide, we’re going to be looking at a few tips on how you can push yourself to find a job and prove the point that you’re not ‘past it’ in the world of employment.
1. Use your networks
If you have been in employment for a number of years, you’re bound to have met a wide range of professionals who may now be able to help you get a new position in your desired industry. You may even have friends and family in in the industry who could put in a good word for you. Sending out resumes and hoping for the best isn’t always enough – you’re a small fish in a large ocean and most likely acquire the same skills and experience as other candidates who are younger, fresh out of university and ready to be moulded. However, having a good personality and years of experience could work in your favour – it’s all about using your network to make contact with employers.
2. Accept less responsibility
If you have always had a fast-paced and senior role, it can be difficult to accept the fact that a new position may require you to take a few steps down the career ladder. However, this isn’t always a bad thing. Trying to reach the top spot for every single job may mean you’re cutting your losses on other positions that are better-suited and perhaps a lot more fulfilling than what you’re used to. As we get older, our personal circumstances change and we have a lot more responsibility on our shoulders, so now may be the time to take a step back and enjoy a much better work/life balance.
3. Your resume is outdated
If it’s been a long time since you updated your resume, there’s a very high chance it is now outdated and limiting your chances of securing employment. Your CV is the very first impression that an employer has of you, therefore, you need to make sure that it demonstrates your skills and abilities in the very best light. If you need some assistance, it would be a good idea to hire a professional CV writing company to take care of this for you, so it’s one less thing to worry about.
Just because you may feel as though younger candidates may have a greater advantage over you, it doesn’t always ring true. By following the tips above, you should improve your chances of finding a job over the age of 40.
