Finding a new opportunity: advice for older job seekers
Plenty of columns and blogs are out there offering advice to younger job hunters or recent graduates looking for their first job. The reality is, it’s not just junior workers who need this type of support but their more senior counterparts too, and perhaps even more so.
The fact is, job hunting has changed beyond recognition in recent years: from going door to door carrying dozens of printed resumes, we have moved on to search engines and SEO techniques for writing a CV.
Keeping abreast of these changes is crucial.
The advantages of technology
Looking for a new position today might seem like a daunting task to older workers – especially those who have gained experience within the same company for many years and have never changed field or industry.
The advent of new technologies has revolutionised the way people look for a job, changing candidates’ habits, making it easier to scan vacancies, and speeding up the selection process.
Service such as Jobrapido, for example, help job seekers stay in the know about job ads that reflect their search criteria. Jobrapido uses its proprietary SMART INTUITION TECHNOLOGY ™ to make a perfect match between labour supply and demand, presenting up-to-date results that are more aligned with candidates’ expectations.
Find out how our site works here, and let us take care of your job search.
From the comfort of your sofa, you can reach hundreds of companies every day and search for a variety of roles, according to your preferences: driver, bricklayer, secretary or commercial assistant to name a few.
All you have to do is update your resume to show off the best of your skills. Jobrapido takes care of the rest!
Three useful tips to improve your approach to job hunting
While it is true that you can access far more job offers nowadays, it is also true that competition has increased.
Write a simple but complete CV
Before sending out resumes at the click of a button, take some time to study. Browsing the internet, you can download different formats and resume templates. Choose a format suitable for your role, or simply create a new document, starting with your personal details and adding a photo. Enter your degree and year of graduation. If you have multiple qualifications or have attended vocational training courses, include them all, including the names of the training companies. Continue by listing your experiences, in reverse chronological order. Give greater prominence to the recent past: the goal is to explain what you’re capable of today and why they should choose you.
Read the job postings carefully
The titles of some job positions may be ambiguous or in any case not immediately understandable, so read the ads carefully to assess whether the role described might match your experiences. Only apply if you see that your skill set really corresponds to what the company is looking for. Always include a cover letter together with your CV, where you explain why you are interested in that particular position.
Pay attention to the details
- The picture:
The photo is an important detail in your CV, so there are a few things to bear in mind when you choose it. Avoid grainy images that you’ve cropped from family photos, or shots of you with other people. The photo should be a classic close-up passport format or a half-length portrait. Also, choose a recent image, which shows you as your real age.
- The cover letter:
The cover letter is an important attachment that can set you apart from the mass of applications. Use it to highlight the experiences and characteristics that distinguish you and customize it based on the position and company you are applying for.
- References:
If you have the option, ask your previous employers for references. Having written testimonials or even just direct contacts to refer to is a plus for recruiters, who have to evaluate your experience and your reliability too.
Now that you have a better understanding of today’s recruitment market and are equipped with all the necessary material, you’re ready to tackle your job search. Don’t forget to believe in yourself and in your value as a senior applicant. Showing a positive attitude and sense of curiosity will help you interact with recruiters and keep your motivation for change high.
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