6 Tactics for 55+ Year-Old Job Hunters
By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
As a seasoned professional, you have a wealth of experience that can bring value to any organization. However, ageism can be a real challenge in the job market, and it can be difficult to stand out among younger applicants. In this video, we’ll explore six tactics that can help you overcome ageism and increase your chances of success in the job hunt. If you’re a job hunter age 55 or older, don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights that can take your job search to the next level.
00:00 Intro
00:50 Connect the dots
01:45 Stay up-to-date
02:34 Consider freelancing, etc.
03:21 Confront the issue
03:39 Highlight leadership
03:58 Be active on social media
04:30 Summary
Where Can a 70 Year Old Man Find a Job?
As a job hunter 55 years or older, you generally will face unique challenges in the job market. But there are things that you can do to increase your chances of success.
I’m Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter. People hire me for no BS coaching and career advice globally, because I make things easier for people in their careers, particularly with regard to a job search.
Now, I just want to start by saying, I’m not going to talk about the importance of networking, or writing a quality basic resume that you’ll tailor for each position. You already know about that stuff. So I’m not going to waste your time with it. But I am going to talk with you about a number of things that are pretty easy to do, that will help you land sooner.
And the first one is really, when you interview when you submit a resume, emphasize relevant skills and experience. Rather than having this nice generic resume, or having a generic conversation about all the magnificent things that you’ve done that they don’t really care about, highlight your accomplishments and past successes that relate to the position that you’re applying for, or interviewing for, rather than focusing on 35 years of progressive experience. For example, leverage your experience by highlighting the expertise and achievements that you have that relate to what they care about that you’ll bring to them. Don’t just explain how you can help. See if you can figure out how to show them how your experience can save them time, money and reduce risk.
Next, make sure your skills are up to date with trends and technologies that relate to what they’re going to be using. LinkedIn is great for that. YouTube is great for it. Formal courses are great for it. Keep working and improving your professional expertise, and show them that you’re open to new ideas, technologies and are committed to staying up to date in your field. You know, learning for all of us, and you’ve probably noticed I’m not even 55 anymore,is important. LinkedIn Learning is fabulous for that. It’s part of your paid membership. Do it. Take some courses there and elsewhere that are going to help you. Don’t just simply rely upon the past, because it’s not going to be enough.
Three, consider freelancing or consulting work, particularly while you’re looking for work. It’s a way to build up those additional skills that you pick up from your education and it can lead to full-time opportunities that can be a way of staying active and engaged in your field. The longer you’re out, the rustier you get and the less crisp you are. Being open to new opportunities and different types of positions whether part-time, temporary, full time, a new business is important to keep yourself crisp and may wind up being the way that you land your next career opportunity.
Next thing is and this is a hard one for people to hear, don’t shy away from dealing with any age concerns head on. Show them that you’re mentally capable of doing the job and that your expertise, experience and knowledge bring value to the role.
Highlight your leadership. Older workers have years of expertise leading teams, projects and initiatives. Emphasize your ability to coach junior people, help them develop talent, and mentor others is important in landing that next role.
Stay active and visible on social. The last point I’m going to make is that LinkedIn as a platform is a great venue for showcasing skills and expertise and to connect with potential employers and colleagues. Make sure your profile is up to date, and post relevant articles, not necessarily ones that you write (although that’s great). But sharing others’ articles and insights and comments to those articles. demonstrate your expertise.
So I hope you found this helpful. I just want to remind you, your age can be an asset, not a liability. Emphasize skills and experiences that relate to what they care about. Keep your knowledge up to date and progressing. Use your network, be flexible. Consider consulting work or freelancing. And don’t be afraid to take concerns straight on.
So again, I hope you found this helpful. I’m Jeff Altman. Visit my website TheBigGameHunter.us. There’s a ton in the blog there that could help you. Plus, you can schedule time for a free discovery call, schedule time for coaching, find out about my video courses, books, and guides. There’s a lot there to help.
Also connect with me on Linkedin at linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter. My network tends to be a lot larger than most of yours and thus by connecting with me, you’ll get a lot more access to people that might otherwise.
Have a terrific day and most importantly, be great!
10 Signs Your Interview Will Go Nowhere
ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS Career Advice globally because he makes many things in peoples’ career easier. Those things
can involve job search, hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues.
Schedule a discovery call at my website, www.TheBigGameHunter.us
He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 2600 episodes.
Website: https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us (schedule a paid coaching session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter
Courses: https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/courses
Main YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jobsearchtv
No BS Job Search Advice Radio Podcast: https://anchor.fm/nobsjobsearchadviceradio
Video Podcast of No BS Job Search Advice Radio: Spotify
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jeffaltmancoach
Medium: jeffaltmancoach.medium.com
Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques
We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to www.TheBigGameHunter.us and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator.
