Job Search Strategies for Mature Workers Workshop Coordinators
Job Search Strategies for Mature Workers Workshop Coordinators Sharon Feeney – sfeeney@fhcareers. org Andrea Reynolds – areynolds@fhcareers. org
What Will Be Discussed § Current statistics and facts § Strategies and suggestions to maintain a healthy attitude § Addressing employer concerns § Special recommendations to be “job ready” with your resume, cover letter, and interview
Changes We Face • • • The idea of being out of work Longer hiring process Resumes/cover letters/follow-up Need for networking Job-seeking skills are often outdated Online job postings and applications Telephone interview(s) Tougher first interview Social networking (Linked. In, Facebook)
Unemployment Data By 2020 one in four people in the workplace will be 55+ Unemployment rate for total population is 5. 7% Unemployment rate for teens is 18. 8% Unemployment rate over age 55 is 4. 1% http: //time. com/money/3725034/jobs-older-workers-improved/ (March 2015) -
Visions of Retirement § We work, live, and stay healthy longer § Continued sense of purpose/social connection § Share special training/experience § Increase savings/retirement § Retirement calculator www. ssa. gov/planners/retire
Mature Workers’ Background Facts • 49% of re-employed workers say their working conditions at their new jobs are better; 34%, about the same; 17%, worse - http: //www. usatoday. com/story/money/2015/03/29/how-older-job-seekers-find-work/70548328/ • 53% of older workers work in a different field since being unemployed • 34% of the re-employed were working part-time vs. 16% of the general workforce – Older workers prefer part-time employment – http: //www. vital-aging-network. org/Resources_for_Vital_Living/Work/23/Facts_about_Older_Workers. html
Background • 48% earning less now than before unemployment; 22% are earning the same; 29% are earning more • “As people near retirement, they may be more willing to trade off wages and benefits for a job that is less stressful and more rewarding” • http: //www. usatoday. com/story/money/2015/03/29/how-older-job-seekers-find-work/7054832
AARP Report’s Key Findings • 65% of workers age 55+ are viewed as engaged; each 5% increase in engagement leads to a 3% growth in revenue. • Labor cost - Employers increasingly tie pay to performance - not longevity. • Hiring older workers increases labor costs by 1 to 2 % yet costs are offset by benefits they bring to an organization. • From http: //blog. aarp. org/2015/04/27/trends-favor-hiring-older-workers-2/
Employer Concerns Employer concerns about older workers: § Older workers are too expensive § (just 1 -2% per previous slide) § Overqualified § Health issues § Rate of health care cost increases are lower for older workers than for their younger colleagues. * • From* http: //blog. aarp. org/2015/04/27/trends-favor-hiring-older-workers-2/
Employer Concerns (cont’d) § Outdated skills / unwilling to learn and/or adapt to new conditions and technology – Older workers not only use computers, tablets, smartphones and social media, but they want to learn about new technology. § Older workers are less productive/slower § Productivity increased up until age 65 because of a low number of severe errors by older workers. http: //blog. aarp. org/2015/04/27/trends-favor-hiring-older-workers-2/
Address the Concerns ü Demonstrate your ability to do the job ü Stay current with work skills ü Give examples of how quickly you learn ü Show adaptability ü Demonstrate productive outcomes ü Express interest in the work, company, and job ü Research salary and be prepared to discuss it
Timing Is Important • The top reasons people waited before looking for work included: – needing a break – wanting to think about what to do next – finding it hard to get motivated • 55% of surveyed were unemployed for 6 months or more. Those who started their job search immediately were more likely to be re-employed. - http: //www. usatoday. com/story/money/2015/03/29/how-older-job-seekers-find-work/70548328
Develop Strategies for Your Job Search § Develop a job search plan and schedule yourself § Utilize current search methods § Read field related literature/publications
Develop Strategies (cont’d) § No need to mention years of experience; may indicate old expertise § Reference your pursuit and desire for new challenges § Use “key” words
Develop Strategies (cont’d) § Discard outdated clothes and check accessories § Share new ideas and new information § Know what you want to tell a potential employer
Cover Letter Recommendations § Express interest in that particular job § Be watchful of “old expertise” § Refer to what you developed, originated, created… § Use key words § Write about relevant skills; give examples § Career changers - link former skills to next job § Cite accomplishments
Resume Recommendations § § § Focus on accomplishment statements List 10 – 15 years of work history Use key words Document relevant skills/experience No need for “references available upon request”; have your reference list ready
Online Application Recommendations § § § Completion takes various amounts of time Some applications may be timed Create account when possible Date of birth and SS# Salary information CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) § http: //www. masslegalhelp. org/cori § Get help if needed
Illegal Questions You can file a charge of discrimination if you feel you have been discriminated against on the basis of: • Race • Age • Religious Creed • Color • National Origin • Ancestry • Sex • Criminal Record • Gender Identity • Mental Illness • Handicap (disability) • Retaliation • Sexual Harassment • Sexual Orientation • Genetics • Active Military Personnel • Gender Identity • Maternity leave
Illegal Questions (cont’d) Three ways to answer illegal questions: 1. Answer the question if you are comfortable with it. 2. Carefully reply to the question because it’s not legal or relevant to requirements of the job. 3. Answer the intent behind the question. Provide a tactful answer without sacrificing your rights. Question: “Are a U. S. citizen? ” (illegal question) ü "If you mean to ask if I am legally authorized to work for you, the answer is yes. " ü rephrase the question into a legal one and then answer it. This displays flexibility and composure -- strong job skills.
Illegal Questions (cont’d) • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the Federal government agency in charge of handling complaints of workplace discrimination. To file a charge, contact: Location: Phone: John F. Kennedy Federal Building 475 Government Center Boston, MA 02203 (800) 669 -4000 • The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) is the state's chief civil rights agency. A charge of discrimination must be filed in person at the MCAD offices. Location: Phone: 436 Dwight Street Second Floor, Room 220 Springfield, MA 01103 (413) 739 -2145
Interview Recommendations § Be prepared for phone screening § Familiarize yourself with possible interview questions § Have questions ready to ask the potential employer § Express interest in the job
Interview Question Recommendations § I am concerned that you are overqualified. § Discuss commitment and interest in that job. § Offer examples of growth in previous positions. § I am concerned that we can’t pay you enough. § Prepare yourself in advance; research average salary for that position. § masscis. intocareers. org --> occupations § Explain your interest/skills in that particular job.
Interview Question Recommendations (cont’d) § Please give examples of how you have adapted to changes in the workplace. § Cite areas where you were cross trained § Reference ways that you have grown, adapted, or been flexible
Interview Question Recommendations (cont’d) § Where do you see yourself in 5 years? § Be honest § Explain that this position is what you’re looking to do
Interview Question Recommendations (cont’d) § What are your salary requirements? § Research average salary § masscis. intocareers. org --> occupations § Know what you want § Give a salary range or hold out for offer
Networking & Resources § Network! § Prepare a 30 -second “speech” § Contact former coworkers, supervisors, references, friends, family, neighbors, etc. § Discover the hidden job market § Schedule informational interviews § Maintain your network; keep contacts and references up-to-date
Networking & Resources § Volunteer, consult, make connections § www. volunteermatch. org § Learn about service agencies § AARP
Networking & Resources (cont’d) The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) • • Unemployed 55 or older Modest income Pass a CORI Contact Sue Frankewicz (Greenfield) 413 -774 -4361 x 315 Lisa Burke (Northampton) 413 -586 -6506 x 115
Networking & Resources The Hiring Connector • • Market your skills directly to employers Create a profile for FHCC website Employers receive profiles from FHCC via e-mail www. fhcc-onestop. com/jobseekers/connector
Start or Grow a Small Business Community Development Corporations (Franklin County, Hilltown, and Valley) • • business plan development cash flow analysis marketing access to community loan funds • SCORE; Service Corps of Retired Executives – www. score. org
Technology Resources Online Help • gcflearnfree. org • harmonpersonnel. com/computerized-training. html
Technology Resources In-Person Help • Forbes Library, Northampton – – – Wed, Thurs drop in Call first if possible 413 -587 -1012 http: //forbeslibrary. org/help/make-an-appointment/ • Greenfield Public Library, Greenfield – Call info desk to make appointment – 413 -772 -1544, x 6 – http: //greenfieldpubliclibrary. org/2015/06/technology-help-sessions/
Cov er L g e n t i t k e r r o w t e N Inte rvie w i n e g m u s Re
Why hire an older worker? • • Dedication Punctuality Honesty Detail oriented and attentive • Good listeners • Pride in a job well done • Organizational skills • Efficient and confident • Sets examples for others • Communication skills • Reduced labor cost • Maturity
Bottom line - managers are looking for results § Know what you have to offer – what you can bring to the company § Provide real life examples of experience § Be yourself
Job Search Strategies for Mature Workers Workshop Coordinators Sharon Feeney – sfeeney@fhcareers. org Andrea Reynolds – areynolds@fhcareers. org
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