Starting Over At 50: Life After Unemployment

Statistics say that a great majority of people in their 50s spend at least half a year to find a new job after a longer break from work. Despite somewhat discouraging numbers there are ways to speed up your job search and successfully boost your position on the market. Today we bring you 5 tips which will help you introduce yourself back to the job hunt and face any challenges that may come your way head on.

Networking

Older workers often have the inner fear of age discrimination which stops them from pursuing new career options. One of the best ways to start a job search is to let your friends and family know that you are looking. By exploring your network you might find the job quickly and effortlessly. Do not be afraid to reach out to your former co-workers or friends you have not spoken to in a few years. Some of them may have successful businesses and could be looking for experienced employees, others could recommend you at their companies – you will never know until you try.

List your best qualities

The exercise often referred to as the Seven Stories exercise encourages you to list your biggest strengths and professional achievements. It is particularly useful to establish your field of expertise. As soon as you have noted down your key abilities you are good to look through specific job offers and send out resumes for the positions that seek people just like you. Self-evaluation exercises come in handy when you are not 100% sure what kind of profession would turn out to be the right fit. They also build up self-awareness and confidence.

Touch up your resume

Where you come from is undeniably part of whom you are selling, however one of the biggest mistakes job seekers in their 50s or 60s make is that they usually do not adjust their resumes to modern standards. What is important to know nowadays is that even if you have worked several jobs before, you do not need to list every one of them. Just single out only the most important positions which are relevant aspects of your career and show off your key abilities.

Excel at technology

People in their 50s are often erroneously perceived as laymen in the field of office technology. If you want to highlight that you are as computer-savvy as any 30-year-old you can include a link to your professional networking site and take active part in LinkedIn discussions. And when it comes to the interview, do remember that it always makes a good impression when the candidate comments on an article found on prospective employer's Twitter feed or discusses online presence of the company. If you feel like you need a course, do enroll in one as soon as possible and do not forget to mention it in your resume.

Be proud of your maturity

You need to remember that your age is an amazing asset and it comes to your advantage, especially for these positions which require expertise and life experience. Employers value dependability, wisdom, and dedication which are character features that cannot be learned – they naturally come with age. However, some employers may consider you overqualified for some positions. This is when a heart-felt and honest cover letter comes in handy.

Finding job after unemployment does not necessarily have to be an overwhelming task. With the help of our 5 fail-proof tips your job search will become quicker, easier, and, most of all, stress-free.