This question was posted on CareerSuccessRadio.com's "Career Success Expert Panel" page: http://careersuccessradio.com/2010/03/mature-age-job-search-tips-help-q7-job-search-careerradio/
You can also see more great answers there.
The question:
I am returning to work after taking time out to raise a family. The most recent contract postions I have held have all been obtained through word-of-mouth. What I struggle with is the annonimity of the internet as a selection /recruitment tool and the very poor level of service provided by recruitment agencies. What do you feel is the most successful way for mature age job seekers to approach finding employment? — Kim B.
My answer/suggestions:
Hi Kim,
A solution to reduce the anonymity of the internet is to not be anonymous! Modern day internet strategies include personal branding. This can be established through your e-resume/portfolio, LinkedIn and Twitter profiles. Depending on your line of work, you can also post relevant articles through a blog, etc. Ensure consistency of your content and messages. Ensure all social media interaction is positive and professional, as employers and recruiters will Google you to see what can be found about you. Transparency is key.
As Colette has mentioned, most jobs are never posted. Think about it this way….if you were an employer would you shell out the salary you want to a complete stranger? No. Most of us would rather hire people we’ve met, who have engaged with us, demonstrated interest and initiative, etc. Or we’ll hire through word-of-mouth. So it’s key to target specific companies to begin your research process. When doing so, be sure to Google THEM as well, and pay attention to what they’re saying through social media (i.e. follow them on LinkedIn and Twitter, and engage with them.) Company research is vital in an effective job search campaign.
Don’t rely on others (i.e. recruiters) to find you work. While they are a great resource, they are simply that… another resource to use in conjunction with all the other job search strategies you use. Sarah has provided tips here that are worth noting. Remember, YOU are the best salesperson of you! And in order to do that, as Donna has mentioned, you have to network, network, network!! This is SO very important…crucial to an effective job search. When I teach job search workshops and ask participants how they got their last job, 9 out of 10 have said through networking. So it’s proven to be effective!
Jobs will not come to you from no where, you must seek them. And through positive and consistent action, THEN jobs may appear! I equate it to the needle in the haystack metaphor. For some reason, when most of us are in job search mode, we hope we will miraculously stumble upon the perfect job for us…whether through the internet, job board, etc. But that’s like waiting to find a needle in a haystack!
And while social media is a necessity in today’s job search, real live face-to-face interaction is where all paths must ultimately lead.
Lastly, regarding being a mature worker…the methods as suggested from myself and others are for everyone, regardless of age. I would teach the same methods to mature workers or young workers. Just remember: you have a lot of skills, work ethic, and life experience to offer… highly valuable to an employer!
Hope this helps and all the best to you in your job search!
Brenda Blackburn
http://www.twitter.com/brenblackburn
http://careercommuniqueradio.ning.com/profiles/blogs/mature-age-job-search-tips
XML Feeds
